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Buyers' Picks: June 2004

Liz Sofo, Sofo Foods, Toledo, OH
An upscale cheese like vintage cheddar is an important add-on to a high-end deli meat; so is extra virgin olive oil and olives. We also do very well with Alessi breadsticks that come in plain, rosemary, garlic or sesame. My picks include:
• Old Quebec 5 Year Old Vintage Cheddar
• Sofo Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Alessi Thin Breadsticks
• Olives

Charlie Augello, E. 48th St. Market, Dunwoody, GA
We sell a lot of homemade meatballs and salad to complement our prepared foods. We also sell cheese; Provel, a combination of cheddar, provolone and Swiss that is made in St. Louis, is very popular. Our homemade breads are a big seller, as are Dr. Brown’s and many Italian sodas. Vegetables added to sandwiches are also a hit. My picks include:
• E. 48th St. bread
• Provel cheese
• Portobello mushrooms
• Homemade beef, chicken or veal meatballs
• Manhattan Special Coffee Soda
• San Pellegrino Aranciata Soda

Joe Di Pasquale, Di Pasquale’s Gourmet Deli, Baltimore, MD
We sell tons of homemade sides, such as pasta salad, mozzarella and tomatoes and roasted peppers. Olives are also a big seller. Dirty Chips are very popular as are chocolate bars to go with made-to-order sandwiches. My picks include:
• Homemade mozzarella and tomatoes
• Pasta salad
• Olives
• Utz Chips
• Dirty Potato Chips
• Kinder Chocolate Bars

Victor Grasso, Agata & Valentina, New York
Cheese is a popular add-on to any sliced deli meat. We have whole or pre-sliced melons for customers to pick up to accompany Prosciutto di Parma, along with a variety of breadsticks. Homemade antipasto salad, roasted peppers and pickles are popular; so is Moretti Beer. My picks include:
• Pre-sliced or whole melon
• Breadsticks
• Pickles
• Moretti Beer
• Homemade antipasto salad

Elena Voiron Ratto’s International Market & Deli, Oakland, CA
We sell a lot of Spanish cheeses—especially Manchego. Spanish wine and quince paste are great add-ons. They are also popular with a Jamon Serrano purchase, as is a cold-extracted Spanish artisan olive oil. My picks include:
• El Quijote Quince Paste
• Torre Oria Rioja
• Valrhona 85% Dark Chocolate
• Cartoixa Expertus Catalonian Olive Oil