Welcome to our 2nd Gift Guide, all related to FOOD and BEVERAGE!

We hope you learn about some businesses and products you weren’t aware of, and can try them out! Some of these are great gifts for others, while some are great gifts for YOURSELF! Each listing should be linked from the title and image OR business name if you want to go to one of the sites.

We are doing 8 days of posts with 8 different categories. Each post/ category will also feature a giveaway from one or more of the highlighted businesses. To enter each one, you can comment on the blog post, or share our linked post on Facebook or Instagram! We will do the drawings for ALL posts on 12/20/22 in the evening.

***There will be one grand prize pack drawing. Those who comment on all 8 posts in the series will be entered for that!

FIG & FORAGE

The wonderful Kelly Cain, of Fuquay-Varina, NC, owns Fig & Forage. She specializes in teaching charcuterie board making classes, but also caters charcuterie boards and boxes of all sizes for events and gatherings. From smaller boards to a large grazing table, her combinations are a work of art! Sign up for a pre-scheduled class, or schedule a private one for a group. Using a delectable combination of the finest meats, cheeses, fruits, nuts, and more, great thought goes into how the flavors will combine in your mouth. Grab a gift card for the foodies in your life!

KWENCH JUICE CAFE

Since Kwench Juice Cafe opened almost a year ago at 772 W Williams St in Apex, NC, there has been a dedicated following. They offer fresh squeezed and blended juices and smoothies, and more goodies like energy balls and acai bowls. Everything is natural and they don’t use any fillers. Perfect for someone on the go who wants to drink their lunch, Kwench is a great place to stop for a quick boost. Stop in and grab a gift card for your local juice lovers!

PEAK CITY COFFEE

DID YOU KNOW that we have our own specialty coffee roaster right here in Apex, NC??? Coffee lovers, rejoice! We have many lovely coffee shops in the area, but that’s an expensive habit. If you need coffee on demand at home, you must try some Peak City Coffee. Order straight from their site, or even sign up for a subscription! It can also be found in limited quantities at various retailers in the area if you need it, and you need it NOW. Orders over $25 on their site ship FREE. What a great gift for someone elsewhere in the country that’s a coffee snob! Send them a little piece of the Peak of Good Living.

SOPHIE’S GRILL AND BAR

Who says to have to go all the way to Bulgaria to have some amazing Bulgarian food? Go to Sophie’s at 2734 NC 55 in Cary, NC, where owner and chef Desi Nikolova puts care and authenticity into every single dish that comes out of her kitchen. Whether you want a fantastic take on a classic burger, or you want some melt-in-your-mouth Armenian Figs, just go and savor it all. Also a great place for gatherings and just hanging out. Treat someone you love to a meal, and it will be a wonderful memory for sure.

BAKERIES! BAKERIES! BAKERIES!

 

 

YUM YUM YUM! These are four of my favorite bakeries in the area. All specialize in something different, but are all great for a simple treat or for special celebrations. Apex Cheesecakes is just what’s in the name- cheesecakes. All kinds! No brick and mortar store yet, but just reach out to him online or social media for an order. Cocktail Cupcakes specializes in booze-spiked cupcakes, but can also do virgin or cake pops as well. She will even ship jar cakes in plastic jars! No brick and mortar store for her yet either, but find her online. Crumb n Cream recently took over the former Utica Bakery spot in Apex, and is now open for on demand delights. They are even partnering with the ever-popular Utica Bakery from time to time as well. Finally, in the heart of Downtown Apex is A Taste of Brooklyn, and it is what every good bakery should be be. Cakes by the slice, cookies, cupcakes, and more! Any of these would be a great addition to a holiday party, family gathering, or as gifts!

REMEDY COCKTAIL COMPANY

This is a gem many probably don’t know about right here in Holly Springs, NC! Who loves a good cocktail? If so, you have probably heard of bitters, the added ingredient in a lot of drinks that give it a unique spin. Remedy Cocktail Company makes artisan quality flavors of bitters for use in cocktails, coffee, or even baking! Bitters are non-alcoholic, but can bring out more from the liquors they are paired with. Currently, Remedy offers 21 different flavors, and if you go to their website they have recipes and other ideas. Grab some sampler packs for gift baskets, or go all in on some special flavors for a special recipient. Oh, and go ahead and throw some in the cart for yourself!

ELK LOCAL FOODS

So many times on social media, I see people ask: “Where is a good spot to get North Carolina based items to put together a gift basket?”. The answer is Elk Local Foods at 103 E Chatham St in Downtown Apex, NC! This is a jewel of a shop that carries ALL North Carolina based foods and more. There are refrigerated and pantry items, plus great gift ideas. You will have so much fun putting together a custom basket for a special someone that you want to brag on NC to!

OLIVE OIL GROVE

Olive oil can be just another pantry supply, or it can be a taste sensation that feels indulgent. Olive Oil Grove is the latter. Made in Spain from family groves, the Soler family lives in Apex, NC but produces and bottles some of the most high-end exclusive olive oil on the market in the US. Olive oil is healthy, and is intended to be savored. Check out their website to read their story, and while you’re there order some oil for the foodie in your life. They can also be found at different local farmers markets sometimes.

TASTE OF POLAND

Have you ever had authentic Polish food? Look no further than right here in Apex, NC! Currently, you can find Taste of Poland serving (and selling out) at most Apex area community events, but in the future they hope to have a physical location! In the meantime, they are available for catering for gatherings and events. Pick up some Pierogis, add a bow, and there you go- the perfect gift.

CHICKEN SALAD CHICK

Oh chicken salad, let me sing they song. Yummmmmmmm. Are you or someone you know an avid chicken salad lover? Have you tried Chicken Salad Chick in Waverly Place in Cary, NC? They have a dozen different flavors of chicken salad plus egg salad, pimiento cheese, and more. We recently had an event there to taste all the flavors, and the overall winner was Fancy Nancy. Grab a gift card for the chicken salad lover in your life. Like NOW! GO!

SCOUT & CELLAR WINE

Do you get wine headaches, like me? Not anymore! Try Scout & Cellar wine. It is all organic, and from small exclusive wineries. This is the only wine I can drink without a headache the next day. It has no added sugars or all the junk that wine doesn’t even need. Order from my girl Laura in Apex, NC for a gift you can ship anywhere that allows alcohol to be mailed (they will tell you on the site), or even gift a subscription.

SATORI MEALS

Do you hate cooking as much as I do? Don’t worry, be happy! And call Satori Meals to take the load off feeding your peeps! They offer yummy meals and even offer local delivery. This would make a great gift for those new moms, people who are having a hard time juggling life, etc. The food is also healthy and delicious.

FERAWYN’S CHOCOLATE CAFE

OK, so what do you get for the person who has everything that will always be well-received? CHOCOLATE of course! Ferawyn’s at 652 Holly Springs Rd in Holly Springs, NC. They are a gluten free bakery and chocolatier. And their chocolates are works of ART! From simple bites and truffles, to animal and whimsical shapes, there is something amazing for anyone. And don’t miss the hot chocolate which comes in milk, dark, or white varieties!

YOU SCREAM ICE CREAM!

Finally, another crowd pleaser as a gift, just at home, or to bring to the partay! ICE CREAM! There are two wonderful shops in Downtown Apex: Fresh Local and newcomer in 2022 Kilwin’s. Both have their own devoted followers, and both offer amazing flavor selections. There is never too much ice cream! And if you are in the market for gelato, there’s Common Grounds down the block!

 

There you have it- my top picks with local businesses for FOOD & BEVERAGE. 

This GIVEAWAY includes: A $25 KWENCH gift card, and a Sampler pack from REMEDY COCKTAIL CO!

Comment on this post or share our linked post on the Positively Apex Facebook or Instagram pages to be entered!

 

Tomorrow’s list will be the HOME category!