Food! I love it! But it can't be just any old slop. It HAS to be good food. Oh...correct that...GREAT food.

Yes, I am a food affectionado! A casual gourmand. I look for great tasting food anywhere I can get it...be it a hole in the wall or dining with the uppercrust.

Everywhere I travel, I look for unique tastes to share with my friends and family. Many a highly acclaimed restaurant have met disdain at the end of my fork. Sometime, you just get tired of the hunt and choose to eat in.

So where do you go to get those savory morsels that make 'home cookin' da bomb?

Well, here's a little list of gems you too might want to explore. Let these tastes explode your tongue and get your food freak on. Check 'em out below:

1) Petrossian – it’s no surprise that this vendor has made it to the top of the list. Their presentation rivals Balducci’s, for that ‘open the box WOW’ factor. This vendor’s name is synonymous with caviar, and they stock the world’s best. So, when I know caviar is the gift of the day, Petrossian is a no brainer. I look no where else.

However they do much more than caviar. I not so recently sent a breakfast gift basket that received a WOW review. Plus they have all sorts of unusual candies, Babas au Rhum, cream fraiche, foie gras, condiments and even meats. This is one of the first places I now go for confections that make a lasting impression.

2) Dean and Deluca - well, another great catalogue for condiments that pack an eye popping WOW factor. I always feel like I'm looking for treasure at their site. There is so much that is good here.

3) Saltworks - this is THE store for salt...and not just table confections. They store a large assortment of the world’s greatest table, bath and therapeutic salts. Looking for Dead Sea Salts? They got them. The Original Himalayan salt? Yep, here too...and... in many different grinds and chunk sizes, perfect for rubs, sprinkles, baths and to make lamps.

Celtic salts, black salt, fleur de sel, smoked salt, hawaiian red salt - they're all here. And you can get them in bulk to save big. These salts have the minerals that put the ZIP back into food. Try 'em, you'll like 'em...

4) MacKenzie's - for a ton of unusual items not seen elsewhere. And example of this is their fresh mushroom basket that contains a mix of cultivated and wild mushrooms, depending on the season, and contain Brown Clamshell, Forest Nameko, Hedgehog and Trumpet Royale. They also feature aged balsamic vinegars, some aged for as long as 75 years. Their cheese tortas are excellent. There's a lot to love and taste at MacKenzies.

5) D'Artagnan - looking for the best meat and fowl the world has to offer? Go no further than D'Artagnan. I love the buffalo tenderloins I get here. I'm having some tonight! It's delicious, extremely tender, and with no gamey taste. They have and specialize in organic meats, fed the appropriate diet (no meat byproducts) and just simply delicious. You can also find Argentina pastured beef, huge duck breasts, wild game and truffles mousse.

Go ahead...browse their site. You know you've stumbled on something good at D'Artagnan.

6) Grassfed Traditions - here you will find, amongst other things, game birds and red meats that are raised using a special coconut fiber feed (cocofeed). They have set their own standard which is more than just a cut above organic. So you know they are open pasture, grassfed and without steroids, soy or antibiotics. And their beef is a breed from Scotland, know for its thick pelt and leanness. This is Wisconsin grown. Try it, you'll like it.

7) Coleman's Natural Beef - now Coleman's was a major surprise to me. I found it in PA at my local Wegman's and tried their skirt steak (yeah, I didn't even know what that cut was). I used it in a dish I call, Beef Creole.

It was fantastic!

I wasn't able to find this brand anywhere else. And when I returned to PA, that store had replaced the Coleman brand with their own; definitely no comparison. They also make a chicken with spinach and feta cheese sausage that is awesome! I would boil these, then lightly fry them with butter before putting them over noodles or just wrap them in bread for a sandwich. If you see them in your area, give them a try.

8 ) Allen Brothers - looking for a premiere steak or beef tenderloin? Take a taste of Allen Brothers. Their beef tenderloins beg you to eat them. And Allen Brothers specializes in PRIME. You can choose whether you want your beef wet or dry aged. I LOVE that I can get it with the special trim I desire - close...no fat. One look through their catalogue and you will become a raving fan too.

Allen Brothers stocks much more than just prime beef or specialty beef (like Wagyu). You can get duck, venison, lamb and assorted game. You can also get gourmet sausages, guinea hens, veal, buffalo, soup, seafood, side dishes and appetizers. And...you can get my favorite...Beef Wellington.

One stop at Allen Brothers and your party with be an epicurean delight.
Give them a taste!

9) the Original Amish Noodle -Essenhaus - if you've become home sick for the noodles your grandma used to use/make, the ones that didn't wimp out in soups, there’s good news - these are the noodles that will make you forsake all others. Lucky for me, there is a store close by that stocks these. They come in a variety of thickness and sizes. They even come in a yolk-free variety. Once you try them, your palate will be ruined for any other.

When you visit their online store, scroll down to the bottom of the page to enter their online store and feast your palate on the 10 pages of Amish jams, jellies, fruit cakes, maple syrup, canned meats, soup stocks, Yoder popcorn and much, much more. You KNOW they're good for you because they are made by the Amish. Enjoy!

10) Manar Mediterranean - Garlic Pita Chips to die for . Yes, I love garlic. I haven’t been able to get the red garlic I like so much in years and many of the ones in the stores are a bit tame for me. But these garlic pita chips have a zip and zest that have led me to recommend them widely. They come in several other varieties, but I cannot get myself to try any other than this one.

11) By the way, if you can’t find them and need a substitute, open a bag of garlic bagel chips of the New York Style brand and you won't be disappointed. These are light, crunchy, buttery and garlicky. If you don’t watch it, you can finish off a bag at one sitting.

12) Dried Tomatoes You’ll Eat Outta the Jar - there is only one brand that I buy over any other, and that is Cal Sun Dry. The julienned version is my favorite. Their mixture of spices and oil is just perfect - just what the palate desires. And it is the secret ingredient in many of my tomato dishes, like Beef Creole. Since you cannot easily duplicate this, just go ahead and buy some; you'll become a raving fan too.

13) For incredibly smooth and sensational Italian ice cream truffles, look no further than Pfaelzer Brothers. Pfaelzer Brothers also have a line of ice cream cakes, spumoni and natural fruit sorbets. But this is just the beginning of the confections they offer.

And their hors d'oeuvres selection is enviable and sure to have something to make your next party memorable. There's much more in their gourmet line. I'm sure you'll find something to rave about...

14) The Winery (Omaha, NE) - OK...I couldn't help myself. A great meal deserves a great wine. And the staff at the Winery is par excellent bar none. I got hooked on this place when it was run by the original owners, Dave and Dave, an enterprising set of dudes who set the Omaha wine scene on fire, and started the yearly charity event, Vin Omaha.

I was a member of their wine club, and met some celebrated vineyard owners, including the grandson of the Hills Brother coffee magnates and one of the representative of the Drouhin, of legendary reds.

What I really loved about this store and these guys is that they remembered the type of wine experience I loved...and recommended accordingly. They were always spot on. The last time I checked, they ship outside of Nebraska. But please excuse their website. It darn right sucks!

15) And while we're talking about wine, I thought I’d mention THE place for tasting the best California vitners have to offer by the glass. When you get to Napa, head over to River City. I'm told they're still open. River City in Napa, CA

16) And if you're looking for the best New Zealand has to offer (and more) Scenic Cellars IS the place to be (Taupo, NZ). I've had quite memorable moments with them - and the fun-est wine tasting party I ever remember being at.

The New Zealand whites are innovative, legendary and memorable. I even drank their chardonnay - a wine I usually can't stand unless I want to pray to the porcelain bowl for hours on end. The NZ chardonnays are the ONLY chardonnay's I’ll happily drink.

I also find a variety of rare and unusual wines at Scenic Cellars. So might you. And yes…they ship!

17) Lobster Stew Delivered by The Lobster Guy - now I have to give them 2 thumbs up for this innovations - I can send a gift of surf and turf with all the fixins' AND the pot! It’ll have you sayin’, lob-sta…

This site is for all things lobster. They ship clams, chowder, shrimp, scallops, lobster bisque and swordfish. My friends that shop here like the service and the food..

18) Williams Sonoma - I know you don't usually THINK of them as a food place but...have you LOOKED in their catalogue? Usually you'll find something unusual in there to taste. Yes, I love the furniture and things, but I FIRST look for the food.

I can always find demi-glace and lemon curd here. Today, I found the Irish Stout Braising Base and the Recchiuri desert sauces (burnt caramel and bittersweet chocolate). Where else do you get a description of truffles like this:

"Michael Recchiuti creates these exquisite truffles exclusively for Williams-Sonoma. Made in the French style, the truffles are individually hand rolled, with silken ganache centers made from the finest bittersweet chocolate, premium butter and extra-rich cream. Each truffle is enrobed in a blend of premium bittersweet El Rey Venezuelan and Guittard Madagascar chocolates and tossed in Pernigotti cocoa powder."

Makes me want to eat them already...

19) Napa Style - I found a surprise in this catalogue. Aside from the interesting home accessories and furniture, there are a bunch of unusual great salts, rubs and spices, tasty oils and vinegars, nuts and snacks.

Pick it up...your taste buds will love you for it.

20) White Lion Tea Company - this was my most recent gift to several people at the office. Room service at my suite was bringing this to me all the time. I couldn't get enough of it. There is one flavor that is, well, a tastebud orgasm.

The Scottsdale Fairmont (nice place) called it Sonoran Sunset. White Lion calls it Cranberry Hibiscus. I was hooked...and took a BUNCH of it home with me. This stuff is da bomb! Everyone I've given it to had the same reaction I had.

And by the way, IF you ever get to the Phoenix area, do yourself a MASSIVE favor and head over to the Biltmore for high tea. You'll need a reservation and it's well worth it. PLUS, you'll get to see THEIR tea menu. The last time I was there, they weren't selling their teas. But that might have changed. The food, the ambiance and the tea makes this a ‘must do' for me again.

21) Foods For Living – this store is sorta like an organic coop, but is now employee owned. There are a lot of good things here. But the one thing I cannot find anywhere else is their dry roasted, salted, organic macadamia nuts. Yes, I’ve had mac nuts from other places. But none keep me coming back like these. I’ll warn you – they’re nearly 13 bucks a pound…but you get what you pay for. And right now, they’re the best!

22) OK...this one is going to sound weird but good doesn't have to be difficult. If you haven't tried Simply Apple, you're missing out. My local grocery store has a hard time keeping up with the demand.

And they're not alone.

Amongst ALL the product the Simply Fruit juice company makes, this is thieir home run hit. Everyone I know that has tried it, loves it...and has a hard time drinking any other apple juice...including many organic brands. They JUST don't taste as fresh. Try Simply Apple. It's addictive...in a good way.

23) Desert Pepper Salsa - I seem to have a couple of these opened all the time. Their secret - a tasty habenero salsa you can gobble up without too much burn. Very tasty. I choose the Salsa Diablo and XXXtra Hot fire roasted habenero salsa. Simply delicious!

24) Icewine. Yep, I've fallen for 'em. I'm still a diehard Burgundy drinker and Droughin has me whipped in America. But I have to admit it...when I cannot find a good sweet German wine, I KNOW my local Sam's around the corner is stocking Jackson-Triggs Vidal Icewine.

This is a Canadian vineyard in the Niagara region. I've taken to introducing it to my friends and am purchasing a case for an upcoming dinner party. Treat you palate to it's delicate, full-bodied sweetness. Delicioso!

25) Canned soul food. I thought it was an oxymoron too until I tasted it. Cold! I'm hooked and want more. Sylvia's Specially Seasoned Black-Eyed Peas hit the spot. I couldn't find a lick of pork in them yet they had that savory, smoky goodness. Time to stock up my pantry and try a couple of he other fixins. You can find out more about here line of down home goodness at Sylvia's Soul Food online.

27). And our final selection is from Italy. Well, that's not true...but it tastes like it's from Italy. I actually stumbled on it by accident near the wine section in Sam's Club (yes, I WAS getting my some Ice Wine). It's called Tapenade and it was the official HIT at my church social. They inhaled it.

Tapenade is a Tuscan spread that contains imported olives, fire roasted red peppers, white beans, sundried tomatoes, olive oil and spices. It goes well on and IN so many things that it has become a 'secret ingredient' to several new dishes that rock! You may still be lucky enough to find a few jars still gracing the shelves at Sam's, or just visit Cantare Foods to locate a distributor near you.

Well, I hope you get to try out some of these vendors and feed the food freak in you. I'm still looking for mailorder Georgia peaches. So if you find a reliable vendor, give me a holler. If I beat you to the punch, I'll let you know, after I at a dozen or two.

Bon appetite!