Food-and-drink gift ideas for Wilmington restaurant lovers

If your friends and family love food (and, really, who doesn’t?), then there are lots of options for this holiday gifting season from the area’s booming hospitality industry. We’ve compiled a few ideas here, but we’d love to hear yours as well. Email Allison Ballard at aballard@gannett.com to share your favorite local food-and-drink gift ideas. 

Sweet treats

Is there anything better than a decorated cookie or a cup of hot cocoa to get you in a festive mood? Speaking of hot drinks, fans probably already know the hot chocolate bar is open for the season at The Veggie Wagon in Carolina Beach and on Masonboro Loop. But they’ve also added house-made cocoa bombs so you can give the experience to others. Everything from the marshmallows to the shell is made locally.  

You can also turn to local sweet shops, like Carolina Candy Company & Gifts, on Kerr Avenue in Wilmington, which is well known for their toffees and seasonal treats like peppermint bark. In Hampstead, Burry Chocolates made their own chocolate advent calendars this year, but they also carry bourbon cherries, almond clusters and more.

Better cocktails

Wilmington-based companies sell a variety of mixes and additions for easy festive cocktails and mocktails. For The Love of Margaritas, for example, packages mixers in cute mason jars. The Pomegranate Lime works with tequila or vodka and a holiday three-pack also includes the Apple Cider and Cranberry Orange flavors. You can find them at local shops like Biggers Market and Carolina Green Provisions, as well as online.  

The Pomona Shrub Company is set to open a storefront this month in the Soda Pop District, but the fruit-infused vinegar syrups can also be ordered ahead. The shrubs are great mixed with sparkling water, or sparkling wine. Check out the appropriately festive Cranberry Rosemary Peppermint flavor. You might also want to check out the newly opened manna provisions, at 129 Princess St. near the downtown restaurant of the same name. In addition to a selection of wines, and appropriate gift bags, they also sell a line of vermouths and bitters.

More:With renovation, food-and-retail scene in Wilmington’s Soda Pop District takes shape

Sauce it up

You can give the gift of local flavor with sauces and spice blends made by local businesses. There are lots to choose from 8th Wonder Spice Blend to a couple of selections from Burgaw-based restaurant MeMa's Chick'n & Ribs. They signed a deal to offer their barbecue sauce and meat rub in 20 Lowes Foods grocery stores earlier this year. Or go to Cape Fear Spice Merchants in downtown Wilmington for a selection spice blends, oils, teas and coffees.

Boards and more

Another can’t miss gift idea is meat and cheese. Luckily, there are several local companies that offer holiday assembly, and (in some cases) delivery of grazing boards. One of them, Boundless Boards, recently opened a storefront at 4107 Oleander Drive in Wilmington. They can make to order, but also have a selection of grab-and-go boards for last minute gatherings. You can also order cheese boards from the Southport Cheese Shoppe, at 417 N. Howe St., or gather the components if you'd like to try to make these gifts yourself.

Gift baskets and experiences

Of course, restaurant lovers also enjoy a visit to their favorite eatery. Most of them sell gift cards this time of year. You can also give the gift of culinary experiences though classes at The Seasoned Gourmet at 5500 Market St., or ask one of their experts to put together a gift. Shops, markets and farms -- from CraftGrown Market in downtown Wilmington to Bear Ridge Farms in Pender County -- will also put together gourmet gift basket for that special person.

More:A new market/grocery is opening in this 'green' Wilmington business on Castle Street

Allison Ballard is the food and dining reporter at the StarNews. You can reach her at aballard@gannett.com.