Sweet Sellers

Rick Vernon, West Point Market, Akron, OH
Classic sweet treats like brownies as well as flavor combinations like peanut butter and chocolate or graham crackers, marshmallows and dark chocolate are very popular. Seasonal treats like Mallomars®, confections with homemade appeal and retro packaging are also a draw. Customers with a sweet tooth enjoy:
•CREAM-NUT Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Clusters
•Mallomars
•Mariebelle Aztec Dark Hot Chocolate
•Stroopwafels
•West Point Market's Original Killer Brownies

Kathy Ashley, Chelsea Market Baskets, New York City
Unusual flavor twists like smoked sea salt and chocolate and organic snacks that are both sweet and tart are big sellers. These items make great conversation starters—customers love to share their finds with friends. My picks include:
•Cline's Ancient Vines Zinfandel
•Fran's Chocolate Smoked Salt Caramels
•Island Bakery Lemon Melts
•Route 29 Licorice Twists
•Shortbread of Edinburgh Stem Ginger Shortbread Biscuits
•Summerdown Chocolate Peppermint Creams

Ken Miller, Pastoral, Chicago
Although we are known for our savory items, customers expect us to carry high-end sweets and they often buy them to complete a gift purchase. People are fascinated by "out there" flavor combinations; we convince them to try things they may not be familiar with and often they come back for more. Our distinctive sweet treats are:
•France Delights Salted Butter Caramels
•Ritrovo Fogli di Mais cookies
•Sweet Margy Toffee
•Zotter Schokolade Bars, especially Balsamic Caramel Bar and Lemon Polenta Chocolate Bar

Christine Whelan, Sahadi Fine Foods, Brooklyn, NY Our customers are food savvy and love to try new and interesting items; especially sweets that come from other countries. They also like the opportunity to sample specialty items from our extensive bulk selection. Our top five picks for sweet treats are:
•Cinnamon almonds (bulk)
•Fancy dried fruits (bulk)
•Hazer Baba Turkish Delight with Pistachios
•Koppers Chocolates & Cordials
•Mymouni Fresh Fig Jam (handmade jam from Lebanon)

When Wine is the Sweet Treat
Ken Miller, Pastoral, Chicago
Italian rosé Brachettos, Spanish Cavas and intensely sweet ice wines go well with rich, dark chocolates or buttery cookies. My favorite is the soft rosé petal flavors in Malvira Birbét, a slightly effervescent Brachetto.

Nicole Potenza Denis is senior editor of Specialty Food Magazine.

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