Sue Z.’s Finds

Here’s a fun entertaining idea: set the Thanksgiving dinner table with Vestiges souvenir towels depicting the state in which each guest was born (available at Gather, 5041 France Ave. S., Edina; vestigesinc.com). The cute, cotton tea towels are the brainchild of Mary Lazarus and Lucy Pellizer, in collaboration with DesignWorks at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, and celebrate the tradition of Americans in the 1930s collecting souvenir textiles on trips. Use as place mats, napkins, or as take-home gifts.

For an edible gift idea, chocolate-as-art is the best way to describe the beautiful sweets from Robyn Dochterman and Deidre Pope at St. Croix Chocolate Co. (261 Parker St., Marine on St. Croix, 651-433-1400, stcroixchocolateco.com). Try the honey whiskey, lemon espresso, apricot lavender, and hazelnut cinnamon.

CityKid Java now offers single-serve K-cup packs in French Roast, Highlander Grog, and Lake Street Blend—and all profits go to programs that help kids (citykidjava.com).

Enhance your holiday recipes with l.c.finn’s locally made, hand-crafted extracts, including vanilla, cardamom, cinnamon, and coffee. Find them at several metro retailers including Golden Fig, or order online (790 Grand Ave., St. Paul; lcfinns.com).


Sue Zelickson is the founder and director of Women Who Really Cook and Perspectives Family Center’s Kids Cafe. She is the former host of WCCO Radio’s Food for Thought.
 

Sue Zelickson (Sue Z.) is a James Beard Award-winning food media personality, philanthropist, and longtime contributor to Minnesota Monthly and WCCO radio. She has founded the Charlie Awards, the Women Who Really Cook networking organization for women in the local food industry, and the Kids Cafe at Perspectives, Inc., which improves access to nutritious meals for families in need. You can find her buzzing around from event to event throughout the Twin Cities, helping to raise funds for charitable organizations, including some she has had a hand in building.