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Thank you, Chelsea Market Baskets!

Karen Seiger Book Signing at Chelsea Market Baskets (Photo by Ed Lefkowicz)

I spent yesterday evening enjoying the crowds of locals and visitors strolling through Chelsea Market. David Porat, owner of Chelsea Market Baskets, invited me to do a book signing during the Food Network’s Wine and Food Festival. I want to thank David and his dedicated staff for hosting me — and for having such amazing taste in food!

Chelsea Market Baskets is the premier spot in New York (and beyond, thanks to their mail order services) for unique, super high quality local and imported foods and food-related gifts. They have a wonderful selection of delicacies ranging from jams and condiments, to teas and cookies, and savory chips. Their cheese section is a small goldmine of cheesy surprises. And their formidable chocolate section offers so many artisanal varieties to suit milk chocolate people (like me) and serious dark chocolate fans (Mast Brothers!). True to their name, Chelsea Market Baskets makes beautiful gift baskets for any occasion.

Definitely go visit Chelsea Market Baskets for tasty treats to refresh your pantry. I picked up jars SchoolHouse Kitchen jam and chutney and 1/2 pound of Leonidas Belgian chocolates as a hostess gift. ‘Tis the season!

And then spend the rest of the afternoon strolling through all the lovely shops inside Chelsea Market.

Thank you also to Photographer Ed Lefkowicz for coming by and taking this great photo! My groovy dress is handmade by designer Tom Sohung, and my lovely lariat necklace is by Shaya Fine Handcrafted Jewelry, both in the markets of New York City!

Photo of the Day – July 12, 2010: Bread Alone

Organic, whole grain artisanal rolls from Bread Alone, photographed at the Fulton Stall Market

If you’ve ever picked up a loaf of bread at a farmers market in the city, or in New York State for that matter, odds are that it was made by Bread Alone. I have been buying rolls, health loaves, and almond croissants from this bakery for years at the Abingdon Square Greenmarket. Their breads are organic and whole grain, and the pastries are made from all natural ingredients. Every loaf or roll is made with care and a commitment to quality and outstanding flavor.

One of my very favorite snacks is a slice of chewy, rich health bread slathered with organic peanut butter and some artisanal jam, maybe pure strawberry from Beth’s Farm Kitchen or the more complex cherry/raspberry/sage/clove from School House Kitchen. Delicious, healthy – and filling!

You can find Bread Alone’s breads, pastries, cookies, and other sweet treats at almost 50 Greenmarkets and Community Markets and more in the five boroughs and the region each week, as well as multiple retail outlets and online.

Photo of the Day: February 24, 2010

These are some amazing fruit preserves from Beth’s Farm Kitchen in the beautiful Hudson Valley. They make over 90 kinds of jams, marmalades, jellies, chutneys, pickles and relish! You can find these products, and sometimes Beth herself, at the Greenmarkets.