The holiday table seems to be taking center stage this year which means that many discerning hosts are looking to procure some of the finest products for their special feasts.  Lamb is an excellent choice for New Year’s celebrations, but only the finest will leave your guests thinking about your festive meal throughout the year.  I’ve discovered Lava Lake Lamb, all-natural, certified organic grass-fed lamb from Idaho, that is absolutely succulent.  In purchasing this lamb, you are also supporting an ambitious conservation plan to preserve the lands where this livestock has been raised for generations.

Olive Oil: Round Pond's Liquid Gold

You’ll want to serve a fine red wine with your lamb dinner and perhaps also some vegetables, oven-roasted with superior quality olive oil.  Round Pond,  another family-owned company, is dedicated to producing exceptional food and wine products; they’ll readily supply you with acclaimed wines and gourmet foods from their Napa Valley estate.  In traditional French fashion, I would still end such an extravaganza with a wedge of cheese and a serving of salad.  Vermont once again earns my vote, especially for a handcrafted cheddar—aged one to four years—from Grafton Village Cheese Company.  For a truly remarkable addition to your cheeseboard, select the Grafton Duet, their Premium Vermont Cheddar layered with a Minnesota Blue Cheese.  It’s as beautiful as it is delicious.

Toffee, a sweet made by boiling molasses or sugar with butter, seems to enjoy special recognition around the holidays.  Nuts—especially almonds—and chocolate are typically added to this confection that presumably originated in England during the early part of the eighteenth century.  There are many variations on this theme but for me, the essential is for toffee to taste buttery good and fresh and not stick to your teeth!  Ruth’s Toffee fulfills that criteria and more.  This family-owned business is located just over an hour from Telluride in a very remote part of Colorado.  Clearly they manage to have only the finest ingredients delivered to their door.

In addition to being welcomed additions to your table, all of the above would, of course, make for excellent gifts.