Interesting lesser-known culinary catalogs

[Fat Guy]

Those of us who live in the US are surely familiar with catalogs like Williams-Sonoma -- if you're like me you a few copies every month. This topic isn't about the popular catalogs. It's about the lesser-known ones.

I'll go first. I marvel at the Kitchen Krafts catalog every time it arrives. Based in Waukon, Iowa, these folks have a ton of unusual stuff for the advanced home pastry-and-baking aficionado. If you need a cone roller, a cake-slice marker or a dozen pastel silicone cupcake cups, this is the place. They also have interesting non-pastry/baking items, like a book on napkin folding and ice-cube trays that make ice in the shape of strawberries, dolphins and shells. And they have ingredients, such as decorative dragees, those little metallic colored balls that you can use to decorate the edges of cookies -- for whatever reason they're "not shippable to California."

Who's next?

[andiesenji]

I love the Ethnic Grocer catalog and the periodic email specials they send with notices of special sales, new items added to their inventory, etc.

PastryWiz.com does not send a paper catalog but anyone can register for their free email recipes, and very nice recipes they are.

They also offer periodic step-by-step photo instructions for making cake decorations and other fun things like the Thanksgiving Turkey modeled from sugarpaste or marzipan.

NapaStyle does not have the distribution of W-S but offers similar items, plus some that have not appeared in etierh W-S or Sur La Table.

I have ordered several items and always received my orders promptly and they were carefully packed.

[K8memphis]

Lorann Oils has a niche catalog of a zillion different kinds of flavored oils. Plus they have some user friendly online tutorials on working with hot sugar, poured sugar for the meek and mild amongst us.

So cool that you think Kitchen Krafts is a worthy catalog, Steve. Global Sugar Art goes even more in depth with ever the more specialized cake toys. But I don't know if they actually have a paper version. Lots of places only have online editions.

Maid of Scandinavia has a great catalog with lots of strange and unique ingredients amongst many other bake-able, cake-able, candymaking and chocolate molding things.

And umm, I really like the new format here on egullet and I'm really glad we are back online. I had serious withdrawals alll weekend!!!

Edited January 1, 2007 by K8memphis (log)

[CaliPoutine]

I like brylanehome. Believe it or not, they are a division of Lane Bryant, but they have great kitchen items. The last item I bought was a petite four pan( really a very mini bundt pan). They had the best price( using a 30% off coupon) as well.

[Carolyn Tillie]

While not 100% food-centric, I occasionally order nostalgic culinary items from Vermont Country Store. This is the only place I've ever found traditional sugarplums.

[achevres]

I love this thread and the new categories.

I would like to add Corti Bothers. They have food and wines that I haven't seen anywhere else. They are a pleasure to deal with and the newsletters are very informative.