Who knew Santa was a chef? Thanks to enbe's organization, over one hundred FOOD52 users participated in the first-ever FOOD52 Secret Swap, shuttling goodies across the country and getting many in return. See below for some highlights, and thanks to the participants for all of your creativity and generosity!
Hilarybee to vvvanessa: mild pepper jelly, hot pepper jelly, peach and amaretto jam, crabapple and damson plum conserve, and cinnamon applesauce
stilllifewithwhisk to linzarella: peppermint bark, chocolate cayenne cocktail cookies, spiced nuts, cranberry-ginger sauce, and homemade rosemary-mint soap
mrslarkin to enbe: Almond-Veggie Raw Flax Crackers, Guitard chocolate, St. Germain, Chambourd, kitchen hand soap, and Mrs. Larkin's goodies
Bevi to nannydeb: caramelized apple jam, peach jam, rum balls, maple cream, and Pine Nut Brittle with Rosemary
drbabs to calendargirl: Simple Gifts Granola, Cheese Crispettes, Everyone's Favorite White Cookies, spice rubs and mixes from Penzey's Spices, Oatmeal Chocolate Crisps, and Spiced Raisin Bran Muffin Mix
Panfusine to dymnyno: Sweet and Salty Herbed Shortbread, Simple Gifts Granola, Chai Spice Blend, English Breakfast Tea
Anonymous to hardlikearmour: strawberry-rhubarb jam, spicy catsup, and homemade limoncello
Safrus to Syronai: Quince Preserves with Jalapeno and Gin, Strawberry Balsamico with Basil Preserves, olives in brine, and an herb blend from Safrus' garden
BlissfulBaker to Hilarybee: Jam-Jam Cookies, Peppermint Pretzel Bark, Garam Masala-spiced almonds, and a spice treasure chest (with Himalayan Pink Salt, whole nutmeg, mulling spice blend, star anise, cardamom pods, and lavender blossoms)
Sagegreen to BlueKaleRoad: toasted hazelnut flour, Dukka, rose petals, Velvet de Guerande, a wooden spoon, artisan bread topping, and cranberry beans
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brette warshaw
I'm a reader, eater, culinary thrill-seeker, and food nerd.
Some past articles from this author you'll love:
8 Peas, Shoots and Leaves
Essays: Remembering How To Cook
Mastering Leftovers
42 Comments on FOOD52 Secret Swap:
Count me in for next time, please.
I'm looking forward to organizing this again next year if there is enough interest. Hopefully I'll get the word out through Food52 sometime in early November.
I was so sad that I couldn't participate in this for 2011, but since I was out of the country from 11/24 - 12/10, I knew I wasn't going to have time to do it right. I'm hoping to be part of it next year, or if we decide to do it on an ongoing basis. I've got some great cakes, cookies, candies that not only taste great, but travel well! :)
Oh I can't wait to participate if the swap is happening again this year!
This was so much fun! Thanks to enbe for her organizational genius. I sent New Mexico things to my person in Maryland and received Seattle things from my Secret Santa. My only regret is that I am camera impaired. By next year, I hope to have mastered my iPhone in order to post the lovely goodies.
I would also like to participate in something like this, do we have to wait until NEXT Christmas???
Me, too! What a fantastic (and tasty) treat!
Seriously! I'm crazy jealous I wasn't able to participate in this. Would love to hear when you host one again.
How can we make sure we are on the participation list for next year? I love doing this typevof thing!
Happy cooking and eating in 2012!
Please include me next time you do the swap! I love stuff like this and I do a mean smoked salmon.
Thank you, @Enbe for putting together this amazing Secret Santa exchange! It was so much fun to make gifts and to receive. I received beautiful + delicious gifts from @Dymnyno: tomato chili lime jam, mango chutney, apple pie sauce and a marvelous bottle of Cab from her winery, Constant. Happy New Year!
SO much fun--Thank you Enbe for bringing such a great idea to life! I'm sorry I devoured most of my gifts before I remembered to take photos, but I LOVED the box of Southern goodies I got from Summer of Eggplant, each with a little story/explanation. I think my favorite was the smoked trout pate, sent on dry ice. Deee-lish! And I can't wait to try making the stone ground grits with special spice rub for shrimp...It's the gift that keeps on giving :)
This was so much fun! Thanks to enbe for the great idea and the great facilitation! I cannot wait until next year's swap - assuming this will be a food52 tradition....
All the best to all food52ers in the new year.
You Food52ers rock. I'd love to share my Strawberry Preserves with Black Pepper and Balsamic Vinegar with someone next year (I get good reviews from family/friends I share it with).
Also, a vegetarian friend of my made a little punctuation change to the "Love People" bumper sticker - still makes me laugh.
"Love People. Cook them. tasty food."
THAT is hysterical!!
I must move to The States - what an outpouring of love and food. Said right ' Love People, Cook them tasty food!'
so many awesome gifts. enbe, you so rock! i had so much fun i don't know if i can wait till december to do it again; i think we should seriously consider a summer secret santa swap!
Lovely gifts from such a talented group of folks ! So nice to share the spirit of the season. This should be made into a yearly tradition, Food 52!
Lovely gifts from such a talented group of folks ! So nice to share the spirit of the season. This should be made into a yearly tradition, Food 52!
Lovely gifts from such a talented group of folks ! So nice to share the spirit of the season. This should be made into a yearly tradition, Food 52!
Lovely gifts from such a talented group of folks ! So nice to share the spirit of the season. This should be made into a yearly tradition, Food 52!
Thank you Enbe! Lots of fun!
Thank you again to Enbe!! The secret Santa swap was tons of fun and I look forward to doing it again next year.
Thank you again to Enbe!! The secret Santa swap was tons of fun and I look forward to doing it again next year.
Drbabs, I love the Penzey's bumper sticker. I have that on my fridge at home!
Long wait to Dec 2012 for the next secret santa.. Maybe a secret Easter Bunny next??
Beautiful gifts! This was so much fun, and I'm so thankful to Enbe for organizing it. Already scheming about next year! :)
This was so awesome! I can't wait to participate again next year.
I always make food gifts for Christmas. This year I think recipients were more pleased than ever. Maple cured and smoked bacon and both cranberry and coffee liqueurs were in their gift baskets; now they are placing orders! No problem. Delivery is now schedule for NEXT December!
Love this idea...should get involved next year. Note to self.
This looks and sounds like it was so much fun - include me next year - pretty please with sugar on top?!
I had a blast participating, and like everyone else, can't wait to do it again next year! It was so much fun planning what to send and then enjoying my wonderful box in return!
Giving and receiving is so much fun. I had a blast with the Secret Santa! And I'm so glad i got enbe!!! Of course, I would have been equally happy with anyone else, but you know what i mean! Here's a hint for next year...go to the person's profile and take a peak at their questions/answers. I found out enbe is a spoon collector and It helped me personalize her gift.
Lucky you!
It's my new favorite spoon, too. I can't believe you picked up on that! I think I probably got the best package ;)
I had a great time with the swap! As much fun creating the package I was sending as waiting for and receiving the package I got. I've already got ideas for next year, so am hoping this becomes a tradition! Enbe rocks!!
What a joy it was to swap! Yes, lets do this again.
This really kicked the holidays off to a fantastic start. Big plans for next year. Hope everyone enjoyed their package as much as I did. Thanks again sdebrango :)
It was my pleasure, best in 2012!
This was SO much fun - and a HUGE thank you to Enbe for organizing - I think we should all send her something! What an effort! I am already looking forward to next year!!!!
Can't wait for next year! @blissfulbaker, I'm so glad you got a picture of the beautiful package you sent me!! I only got a picture after half of it was eaten ;)
Enbe started a tradition!
Beautiful gifts, loved the secret santa and hope we do it again next year! Such a great way to connect with our food52 friends.
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