THE GIFT OF FOOD

Give a gift that will make all tummies happy this season.

// BY MELISSA PETERSON

Everyone likes to give and get a homemade present during the holidays. These local businesses offer fun edible gift ideas that are perfect for friends and family or even as a hostess gift for a Christmas party.

COOKIE COUTURE Jessica Crouch, owner of Cookie Couture, o ers fresh homemade decorated cookies, designed and personalized to your special event.

“I give customers full freedom to be involved with choosing or designing their cookies,” says Jessica. “The themes and colors are their choice. I am available to help with ideas and give direction as needed, but I want each customer to walk away feeling like they have chosen the best cookie design ever.”

Cookie Couture also o ers DIY cookie kits in any theme in case you’re looking for a fun gift for the kiddo on your shopping list. For $22, you’ll get a dozen cookies, sprinkles and colored icing that coordinates with your requested theme.

Jessica rst began making decorated cookies as a fundraiser for a friend who was battling breast cancer.

“The rst cookies I made were simple shapes with drizzled icing created from a recipe a friend shared with me in December 2013,” she says. “I had never decorated cookies before, so the squiggly lines they were adorned with were a great way to hide the fact that I didn’t know how to decorate yet. Thankfully the recipe makes a tasty cookie, because those early designs sure weren’t Etsy or Pinterest worthy.”

These days, Jessica o ers not only decorated cookies but little works of art. To

Cookie Couture

place an order, reach out to her on social media to begin the discussion about ordering. Shipping and local delivery are available.

“Doing what I do isn’t just about making cookies,” says Jessica. “It’s about the process of pushing boundaries, exceeding limitations and growing through new opportunities and experiences. It is an honor to receive a request to be a part of someone’s event. I do not take for granted that, with each cookie order I create, they will forever become a part of the special memories that event will bring.”

Cookie Couture // @CookieCouturebyJessica // Instagram: @ocalacookiecouture

GIGGLES GOURMET POPCORN COMPANY Welcome to Giggles Gourmet Popcorn, where popping popcorn is a family endeavor. Open for just one year, Michele Martini, owner of the business, works with her sister, Susie, and sisterin-law, Sandy. WATCH // EXPLORE // CRAVE

“If I had to give out titles, Susie would be the ‘Head Popper,’ says Michele. “Susie is the most outgoing person you will ever meet. You will always hear her laughing and joking with customers, but when it comes to her making popcorn, she is all business. That’s why we have such great avors. Sandy would be the ‘Head Drizzler.’ Sandy takes care of all of our chocolate creations.” Giggles is a small-batch gourmet popcorn company with 35 or more avors available daily. Flavors are grouped in three di erent categories: savory, sweet and gourmet, which have chocolate and/or nuts included. The shop also carries retro candies and sodas, and they make their own caramel and chocolate pretzels, chocolatecovered Oreos and turtles. “We encourage mixing several popcorn avors together to create your own unique avor,” says Michele. “We actually recommend several combinations, such as pairing Cheesecake and Blueberry or our Brick City Mix-up that combines three avors: Movie Time, White Cheddar and Caramel Corn. Our most popular avor is Caramel Corn, with options like adding sea salt or a hot variety called Kickin Caramel, which is made with our Jalapeño Cheese popcorn. For me, my favorite is Beer Cheese, and every now and then I will mix it with Bacon Cheddar.”

Giggles Gourmet Popcorn Company

Customers can purchase popcorn by the bag in eight di erent sizes, but they also o er many gifting ideas, such as tins, gift boxes and even a popcorn tower. Orders can be placed on the website for in-store or curbside pickup, and they also o er free local delivery as well as shipping throughout the United States.

“Running a business is hard work, but every day I get to see new customers experience our

Cookie Lab Ocala

popcorn for the rst time,” says Michele. “When they start to sample avors, their eyes light up. I can see it, and it makes me smile every time.”

Giggles Gourmet Popcorn Company //

Jasmine Square, 6124 SW Highway 200, Ocala // gigglespopcorn.com // Facebook: @gigglesgourmetpopcorn

COOKIE LAB OCALA Megan Nardino takes the ‘lab’ aspect of her company’s name seriously.

“I make all kinds of di erent cookies,” she says. “I like to experiment, so I try to come up with creative cookie mix-ins and toppings. The menu changes every week with chocolate chip always being on the menu. I post the new menu about a week in advance on my Instagram and then save it in the story highlights so it’s easily accessible.”

A new business as of this past October, baking has always been an interest for Megan.

“Very early on in my life I would watch baking or cooking shows instead of cartoons,” she says. “I have always loved baking, so starting this business truly made sense for me. My husband and I have always joked about starting a dessert lounge, so this is possibly the rst step to that. I have a deep appreciation for food and dessert, which is what fueled this business.”

Orders are booked through the link in the business’s Instagram account. There are set delivery times every week, and they do ll up quickly, so plan in advance. Larger orders are also available for gifts, businesses, weddings and parties.

“My favorite part of baking cookies is that I get to do something I truly love,” says Megan. “[I also love] surprising people with a delivery. The look on people’s faces when they get an unexpected cookie delivery is the absolute best.”

Cookie Lab Ocala // Instagram: @cookielab_ocala // megannardino@gmail.com