GIFTS FROM THE HEART: TASTY MOTHER’S DAY IDEAS EXUDING APPRECIATION

This Mother’s Day is an opportunity to express your gratitude to the F&B-loving women you adore by giving them gifts that can ease and enhance their daily lives. Whether it’s your mother, grandmother, spouse or any other maternal influence, you can show her your appreciation and thoughtfulness in so many interesting ways. Let these Mother’s Day gift suggestions spark ideas for finding the ideal gesture of thanks for the woman who has impacted your life in meaningful ways.

GIFTS FROM THE HEART: TASTY MOTHER’S DAY IDEAS EXUDING APPRECIATION

Keeper’s Heart Whiskey x Cocoa Dolce Truffle Set (https://keepers-heart-whiskey.square.site/)
This Mother’s Day, add a touch of sophistication and indulgence to the holiday by spoiling the Mom in your life with this unique and unforgettable gift: The Keeper’s Heart Whiskey and Cocoa Dolce Truffle Set by Keeper’s Heart Whiskey. After all, no gift thrills quite like chocolate. These special treats are unique from traditional truffles because they are imbued with “spirit.” To create this tasty fusion, Cocoa Dolce’s rich and velvety chocolates are infused with Keeper’s Heart award-winning whiskey, helping to create an alluring combination of mouth-watering flavors that are sure to delight the senses and warm the heart. Keeper’s Heart Whiskey brings together Irish and American traditions, pairing the Irish whiskey’s notes of baking spice with the American whiskey’s sweetness to create a completely unique tasting experience. Each truffle box contains a variety of chocolates, including the Keeper’s Heart (54 percent bittersweet chocolate ganache enrobed in dark chocolate and finished with Keeper’s Heart Whiskey artwork); the Manhattan (milk chocolate ganache infused with Keeper’s Heart Irish American Whiskey, orange and a touch of cherry); Old Fashioned (Keeper’s Heart Irish American Whiskey and Angostura bitters in a bittersweet shell topped with orange zest); and the Whiskey (Keeper’s Heart Irish Whiskey infused in a 54 percent bittersweet shell). The set’s final four flavors feature Champagne (Spanish Brut Cava in a bittersweet ganache rolled in sparkle sugar), Espresso Martini (espresso-infused caramel with a semi-sweet Kahlua chocolate ganache), Grey Salt Caramel (vanilla bean caramel enrobed in 54 percent chocolate, sprinkled with artisan salt) and Peach Cobbler (Peach ganache layered with cinnamon streusel in a white chocolate shell). With this wide variety of cocktail-inspired flavors, the Keeper’s Heart Whiskey x Cocoa Dolce Truffle Set will tempt even the most discerning of palates.

GIFTS FROM THE HEART: TASTY MOTHER’S DAY IDEAS EXUDING APPRECIATION
11-Quart Two-Zone Air Fryer Oven by Midea (https://www.costco.com/)
Moms are already master multi-taskers—why not help them up their game this Mother’s Day? The 11-Quart Two-Zone Air Fryer Oven by Midea is a culinary marvel that combines functionality, space efficiency and smart convenience to elevate users’ at-home cooking experience. The device’s upper compartment boasts a spacious six-quart air frying basket, while the lower area functions as a five-quart traditional toaster oven, offering versatility and adaptability with 10 different cooking programs. Now, home chefs can effortlessly prepare two fully independent meals, or a main dish and a side within the same, space-saving appliance that only takes up two-thirds of the counter room. When cooking in both areas at the same time, Midea’s Sync Finish feature ensures that both cooking zones align to complete your dishes simultaneously. How, you ask? The 11-Quart Two-Zone Air Fryer Oven’s Rapid Air Circulation Technology guarantees precision and coordination that provides fast and consistent cooking in both zones, along with see-through windows that also allow users to keep an eye on cooking without opening the door. The high-tech appliance even includes Wi-Fi connectivity linking to the SmartHome app where owners can program cooking settings, monitor progress, get alerts when your meal is ready, activate voice control through Alexa or Google Assistant and remotely access the air fryer’s features. With more than 50 pre-programmed smart recipes, mom’s meal preparation routine just got a heck of a lot easier.

GIFTS FROM THE HEART: TASTY MOTHER’S DAY IDEAS EXUDING APPRECIATION
Boss Defrost Kitchen Appliance (https://www.bossdefrost.com/)
Is your Mom a boss in the kitchen? Boost her culinary efficiency this Mother’s Day with the Boss Defrost device. This innovative and portable gadget allows users to defrost frozen meats and vegetables without running up the utility bill. In fact, Boss Defrost is changing the landscape of kitchens nationwide helping owners to save time, water and money, while also being kinder to the environment. The brand is the first and only to address this common issue by recirculating water instead of having it go down the drain, slashing water waste by an exceptional 98.5 percent. Now, rather than having to keep an eye on the running water’s temperature during daily food prep, Boss Defrost’s plug-and-play design was created for the appliance to be submerged underwater and run efficiently for extended durations with no installation cost. Its compact size enables customers to station the device nearly anywhere throughout a kitchen, and only requires a GFCI outlet to operate. Boss Defrost’s solutions strive to transform the food industry and empower households, restaurants and businesses alike to make a tangible impact in reducing water waste and embracing environmentally responsible practices.

GIFTS FROM THE HEART: TASTY MOTHER’S DAY IDEAS EXUDING APPRECIATION
Personalized Wine Selections Courtesy of the ‘VinoVoss’ Virtual Sommelier by BetterAI (www.VinoVoss.com)
For those moms who always look forward to wine-o’clock, it’s important she has a varietal she’s sure to fancy. But, the process of discovering and selecting the perfect bottle of wine for Mom based on her exacting preferences—or any celebratory occasion—can be overwhelming. That’s why BetterAI, a data technology company elevating the world of wine through the power of artificial intelligence (AI), has launched the world’s most comprehensive and intuitive wine search engine and recommendation system: “VinoVoss.” This revolutionary AI-driven, web-based platform makes it easier than ever for all wine enthusiasts—from novices to connoisseurs—to find the perfect wine for any occasion. Acting as a virtual wine sommelier, the VinoVoss semantic search and recommendation system harnesses the power of AI to provide personalized wine recommendations, catering to the unique preferences of each customer. The system has numerous capabilities, including allowing users to search for wines by grape variety, region or price; get personalized wines based on taste preferences; compare wines to find a perfect match for a meal; track their own wine collection and create a wish list; search for organic wines and more. Wine Discovery categories allow easy exploration by wine color and type, top occasions (like gift-giving or fine dining), unique picks (like celebrity or sommelier selections or rare collectables) and a fun “Surprise Me!” option. Of course, users can browse by varietals like popular, classic and emerging grapes and popular styles like fruity or bold. A “Regions” category is also handy for those who prefer geographic appellation-based sorting or even Terrior parameters like volcanic, coastal and high altitude. The real fun is asking VinoVoss human, conversation-style questions or providing prompts, like “What is the best wine from Chile?”; “I’m looking for a red wine that’s good with steak”; “I’m craving a bold, full-bodied red wine”; or “What Bordeaux do celebrities like that goes with pork?” The VinoVoss search engine is a powerful and streamlined tool helping users build knowledge and shop, sip and savor with more confidence than ever before.

GIFTS FROM THE HEART: TASTY MOTHER’S DAY IDEAS EXUDING APPRECIATION
Dining Experience at BellaBrava by 2BHospitality (https://2bhospitality.com/)
Instead of a product, consider gifting Mom a special memory this year with a Florida-bound gastro-travel dining experience at BellaBrava. 2BHospitality, which operates two dining brands in the Tampa Bay area, recently expanded the BellaBrava New World Trattoria with a third location in Land O’ Lakes, Florida. Renowned for its Tuscan flavors and contemporary atmosphere, BellaBrava offers a distinctive dining experience with its selection of fresh pizzas and calzones made with locally sourced ingredients baked in the restaurant’s Woodstone ovens. Alongside traditional Italian fare, the restaurant’s expansive menu also includes gluten-friendly, vegetarian and vegan options. The eatery likes to give back to its people and causes it cares about, too, allowing patrons to purchase a round of beers for kitchen staff or an unseasoned burger patty for pets. In addition, $2 from each sale is donated to Southeastern Guide Dogs. 2BHospitality plans to open an additional Stillwaters Tavern location, which is known for its American Scratch cooking and regional craft beers. Established in 2005, the parent company focuses on the guest experience working through its team members and food to deliver the top-notch service to its guests.

GIFTS FROM THE HEART: TASTY MOTHER’S DAY IDEAS EXUDING APPRECIATION
Veggie Wash by Beaumont Products (https://www.veggie-wash.com/)
Fresh fruits and vegetables are delicious, but the rain-resistant agricultural chemicals, dirt and residues from over-handling and waxes found on them … not so much. Despite typical practices, washing with water, alone, is not enough to clean effectively. Get mom’s vegetables cleaner this spring with Veggie Wash, a certified vegan, Kosher, natural produce wash formulated with vegetable-derived, non-GMO ingredients. Veggie Wash breaks down the water-resistant wax on produce to cleanse contaminants, dirt, pesticides, bacteria and residues quickly and easily. It creates no aftertaste—just leaving the delicious, natural flavor of fruits and vegetables. Simply spray produce with Veggie Wash before cutting, rub for 20 to 30 seconds and then rinse and dry. For soft, leafy produce such as lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower and strawberries, the brand recommends soaking and swishing them in Veggie Wash for 30 seconds before rinsing and drying. Veggie Wash has been committed to cleaner produce since 1998 and is available in original or organic washes via a spray or soaker. Veggie Wash Organic is certified in accordance with USDA NOP standards by Oregon Tilth, a leading certifier, educator and advocate for organic agriculture and products since 1974. By washing produce with Veggie Wash, produce lovers can have the confidence that they are getting a great clean on what they eat.

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Merilee Kern, MBA is an internationally-regarded brand strategist and analyst who reports on cultural shifts and trends as well as noteworthy industry change makers, movers, shakers and innovators across all categories, both B2C and B2B. This includes field experts and thought leaders, brands, products, services, destinations and events. Merilee is Founder, Executive Editor and Producer of “The Luxe List” as well as Host of the  “Savvy Living” lifestyle TV show that airs in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami, Atlanta and other major markets on CBS, FOX and other top networks; as well as the “Savvy Ventures” business TV show that airs nationally on FOX Business TV and Bloomberg TV. As a prolific lifestyle, travel, dining and leisure industry voice of authority and tastemaker, Merilee keeps her finger on the pulse of the marketplace in search of new and innovative must-haves and exemplary experiences at all price points, from the affordable to the extreme. Her work reaches multi-millions worldwide via broadcast TV (her own shows and copious others on which she appears) as well as a myriad of print and online publications. Connect with her at www.TheLuxeList.com and www.SavvyLiving.tv / Instagram www.Instagram.com/MerileeKern / Twitter www.Twitter.com/MerileeKern / Facebook www.Facebook.com/MerileeKernOfficial / LinkedIN www.LinkedIn.com/in/MerileeKern.

***Some or all of the accommodations(s), experience(s), item(s) and/or service(s) detailed above may have been provided at no cost or sponsored to accommodate if this is review editorial, but all opinions expressed are entirely those of Merilee Kern and have not been influenced in any way.***