Thursday, July 11, 2013

Stonewall Kitchen Review and a Giveaway!


I love unique and gourmet foods.  That's one of the reasons I can, because you just cant get certain foods unless you make them yourself.  So when Stonewall Kitchen offered to send me some of their products to review I was thrilled!  They very appropriately sent me some dessert topping, just in time for ice cream season!

As I browsed through their online store you can find HERE I was amazed at the huge selection of tasty treats, seasoning, housewares, and foods they carry.  There is something for everyone at Stonewall Kitchen and so many great gift ideas that I know I will be going back for Christmas gifts.

Here is a blurb about the company


The extraordinary journey of two friends, Jim Stott and Jonathan King, who were waiters, cooks and avid gardeners, has captured the interest of many and the loyalty of every employee. From the beginning, the company was based on ideals born out of Maine: unspoiled beauty, wholesomeness, a sense of community. It is a testament to the art of preserve making and the growing public interest in wholesome, quality and tasty ingredients. "If you really produce a high quality item, you'll be successful." That's the secret according to Jim and Jonathan.

The demand soon outpaced the production capacity of the small cottage kitchen, so they purchased an old 1700s barn in Kittery, Maine which they renovated to become the company's "headquarters" for a short couple years before they moved to an even larger space in York and renovated an old community grocery store. A buzzer announced customers in the retail area of the facility. All day long it would clamor: "buzz, buzz, buzz," while Jim and Jonathan were busy mixing and pouring ingredients out back, packing boxes, and answering phones. Then someone mentioned they should attend the Fancy Food Show in NYC. Having never been to New York City, they literally were two fish out of the [Maine] water when they made their first appearance at the 1995 Fancy Food Show — a tradeshow that attracts 1,100 exhibitors and 36,000 buyers, the Oscars of the specialty food industry. But low and behold, Stonewall Kitchen brought home an unprecedented award for first time attendees: Outstanding Jam for Roasted Garlic Onion Jam and a second highest honor award, for Outstanding Product Line. They left NYC with 500 orders from retailers across the country.

They once again, quickly outgrew their first York location within five, short years. After gaining much support from the local community, Jim and Jonathan purchased an eight-acre parcel of town-owned land and built their 46,000 square-foot headquarters, manufacturing and company store on Route 1 in York, Maine in 1999.

The multi-faceted space is an extension of the brand and a dream come true for Jim and Jonathan. Since moving to the new site in 2000, Stonewall Kitchen CafĂ© — a casual breakfast and lunch bistro adjacent to the company store, was added in 2003. And in 2008, the Stonewall Kitchen Cooking School opened offering classes for cooks of all skill levels. The school's goal is to encourage everyone to enjoy cooking, whether they are a novice-just learning, or a more experienced cook, while in a relaxed, "stress-free" atmosphere. The 32-seat, theater-style, state-of-the-art kitchen provides classes, demonstrations and book signings from cookbook authors, chefs and stylists from around the country.

Today, Stonewall Kitchen boasts more than 6,000 wholesale accounts nationwide, thriving catalog and web divisions, 11 retail Company Stores along the East Coast and a staff growing into the hundreds. The entire Stonewall Kitchen product line continues to be one of the most awarded in the industry year after year. Since 1995, Stonewall Kitchen has received 28 prestigious awards from the National Association of the Specialty Food Trade and has been awarded the coveted Outstanding Product Line Honors three times. The company continues to evolve ensuring its role as one of the country's most acclaimed specialty food producers.




White Chocolate Fig SauceStonewall kitchen generously sent me two ice cream topping for review.  The first one I tried was he White Chocolate Fig Sauce which retails for only $6.95!  I honestly didn't think I would like it because I'm not fond of figs and it sounded a little weird, but it was amazing on vanilla ice cream!  I loved the rich Carmel-ie flavor and the contrast of the tiny crunch fig seeds.  It was my favorite of the two they sent me which is saying allot because the other flavor was chocolate.






Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Caramel Sauce


Next I tried their Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Caramel Sauce.  If you like salted chocolate, which I admit I'm a fan of, you will love this topping.  Unlike some desserts that say they are "salted" but never seem to really taste like it this topping has the savory saltiness coming through very strong.  It is not overwhelming and was really good on ice cream where it paired wonderfully with the smooth sweetness of the vanilla.  Any chocolate lover with fall in love with this!  And at $6.95 a jar it is a bargain.  A little goes a long way!








I would love to try out other Stonewall Kitchen foods after experiencing the quality of the two they sent me.  They are not only gourmet, but very inexpensive too!

Connect with Stonewall Kitchen
 
 

Bonus!

Right now you can enter to win a trip to Maine for a foodie adventure from Stonewall Kitchen!  Go HERE to enter!
 

Giveaway!

 
Stonewall Kitchen has generously offered one of my readers the chance to win the two gourmet toppings I review for their very own!  Use the rafflecopter below to enter.  Open to the US only.
 
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/33ddb90/" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway

 
The Thrifty Housewife was not compensated for this post, I did receive a sample product for the purposes of review. This did not influence my review or my opinions. My views are 100% my own. This giveaway is not affiliated with facebook, pinterest, twitter, or any other social media website.  The winner will be chosen through the rafflecopter form which uses Random.org.  Winner will be notified by email within 48 hours of contest end.  Winner has 24 hours to respond to the  email.  Failure to respond will result in a new winner being chosen.  Open to US only.

39 comments:

  1. I would like to try Coastal Breeze Dish Soap.

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  2. i would love to try the syrup gift pack- i can't decide between the blueberry or raspberry syrup and the gift pack has both, plus maple! thanks for such a great giveaway!

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  3. Their artichoke pesto and basil pesto sauces sound delicious!

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  4. Stonewall Kitchen Grill Sauce Caddy

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  5. Yum! Chocolate sauce, some homemade vanilla bean ice cream... I'd also like to try the gluten free mixes. The cinnamon donut looks especially tasty.

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  6. I like the Honey Chili Grille Sauce

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  7. I love the scallop serveware ! :-)

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  8. I would love to try the Blueberry Peach Butter!

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  9. I like the Spring Blossom Bowls and the Triple Ginger Biscuits.

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  10. There's nothing like those tiny Maine wild blueberries, so I'd love to have a jar of the Maine Wild Blueberry Jam.

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  11. I'd love to get the Our Aioli Collection

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  12. I would love to try the down east tartar sauce

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  13. I would love to try the Our Butter Collection.
    savewish@yahoo.com

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  14. I'd like the Scallop Server Ocean Blue! (Kitty Iecvan)

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  15. I like the Acorn Windbell
    Thank you
    melly66(at)sbcglobal(dot)net

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  16. I'd love to try one of their jams.

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  17. spiced rum butterscotch sauce looks interesting.

    skater425@ymail.com

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  18. I would like the lemon pear marmalade. It sounds yummy!
    Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net

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  19. The basalmic fig dressing sounds great!
    Ttrockwood(at)yahoo(dot)com
    Ttrockwood

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  20. I would love to try the Blueberry Lemon Cream Bites!

    annemarie562000(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  21. I want to try the herbes de provence dipping oil.

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  22. I want to try the herbes de provence dipping oil.

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  23. Mmm the Cinnamon Swirl Quick Bread Mix.

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  24. The Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Caramels look delicious.

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  25. I'd love to try the chocolate peanut butter sauce. Thanks for the chance.

    sweetascandy579 at yahoo dot com

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  26. A bag of the Chocolate Berry Blues!

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  27. I would also like to try the coconut curry simmering sauce

    blackbearpie@aol.com

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  28. I would like any of their Maine Maple Champagne Mustard

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  29. I would love to try the tea infuser.

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  30. Who wouldn't want to try all the dessert toppings - yum!

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  31. Their tableware is lovely. I really like the Shidare Ferns small bowl.

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  32. What wouldn't I like?! I love when their catalog shows up in the mail!! I'd like the Pewter Globes Salt & Pepper Shakers!

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  33. There are so many thing that I'd love to try, the desserts sound delish I don't know what I'd choose.
    gothiclvr18@gmail.com

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I love to hear from my readers!