Best.FoodCatalog.Ever.

Does Bacon really = Freedom?

Good god, it's not a catalog, it's a work of art. Or maybe it's just quality food porn. This week I discovered The Grateful Palate 2005 Gift Catalog. Mmmm. BLT-scented votive candles. Some guy had a passion for bacon, coffee and wine (can you blame him) and translated it into a 6x10" pillow book of hot design, smart illustrations, tempting food, and, oh yes... my weakness... stickers. Lots and lots of food stickers. My apologies to the pigs -- they're intelligent creatures who are, unfortunately, terribly tasty and featured in an array of delicious variations herein.

The Zingerman's catalog does fierce battle with the Grateful Palate for top lust-a-rama honors. They sweep the variety division, offering everything from brownie bonanzas to entire gourmet survival kits. (Anyone got a few hundred laying around? Great. Send me one of those Premiere Food Club kits. Thanks. You rule.) Fantastic illustrations. Mouth-watering copy. And oh, god... Somebody just get that thing out of here before I soak the rug with drool.

Penzey's Spices. Great product. Fun shops. Terrific selection. Reasonable prices. Dog-ass dorky catalog. Somebody buy these guys a designer for Christmas.

You've still gotta love the Harry and David. It's the photography. Every sparkling little droplet (is that water? dew? polymer?) on every plump pear just screams JUICY! LUSCIOUS! These guys (and Swiss Colony, but don't tell anyone), were my first exposure to mailorder food back when I was just a wee sprout. They've reliably been hooking people up with quality produce since the dark ages before the internet went and made food acquisition so damned easy. So, thank you Harry. Thank you, David. Thank you, internet.