July 2025 - Chef's Companion
Delizie Di Calabria
Calabria: if you know it, you love it
The story begins in a flourishing and welcoming land, located deep in Southern Italy. A region where the sun shines 300 days a year and warms the heart 365 days a year, the capital of ancient Magna Graecia . Its name is Calabria.
Situated between the Ionian and Tyrrhenian Seas, with the Sila Mountains acting as a watershed, Calabria has the extraordinary ability to combine sea and mountains in a small patch, to the delight of tourists and others. The offerings were so tempting that the Calabrian people were forced to devote themselves to agriculture and the valorization of their true treasure: the land.
Here, chili peppers have found their ideal habitat , becoming the chosen fruit of a rich and nutritious gastronomic culture, healthy and respectful of the principles of the Mediterranean Diet. Chili peppers are also found alongside other flavorful ingredients such as Tropea Red Onions, Olives, Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Bergamot, and many others.
Every ingredient finds its place on the table, but also in pantries, brimming with delicious preserves. Indeed, it was grandmothers' custom to prepare preserves in jars, so that the product would remain fresh and available year-round. The history of Calabria's canning tradition is so ancient it's lost in the mists of time.
ARTISANS OF PRESERVING SINCE 1989
Delizei Di Calabria wants to be ambassadors of chili pepper and Calabrian food, in Italy and around the world.
Delizie di Calabria is the flagship of the Scalise family, born from a passion spanning over thirty years. Mimmo Scalise, deus ex machina, inherited a mission: to bring delicious, fiery Calabrian cuisine to the table of every spicy food lover.
The company was founded in 1989 and is still proud to be a family-run business, producing Calabrian chili peppers and canned foods.
What began as a small artisan workshop located in the charming town of Sersale, nestled in the enchanting setting of the Catanzaro Presila, is now a mature, evolved, larger, and more knowledgeable company. The modern factory is located in Catanzaro and, despite its high technological level, has remained committed to the company's original values: respect for authenticity, appreciation of craftsmanship, and a constant pursuit of quality.
Calabrian Chili Peppers Crushed in Oil
Delizie di Calabria's long Calabrian chili peppers are the real deal when it comes to authentic Italian heat. Grown in the Calabria region of Italy, these peppers are famous for their rich, fruity flavor and moderate to high heat level. Perfect for adding a zesty kick to sauces, sliced thinly over pasta, pizzas, meats, in salads, or on sandwiches.
Ciao Pappy
A Family Affair
Francesca Pittaluga grew up in an Italian-American family and that meant good food and a lively dinner table were the heartbeat of her family. Her father (Pappy) came from Italy where meals were an important part of his culture and the anchor of daily connection. No matter how busy life got, her family made it a point to share meals together each day.
When it came to cooking, Pappy always made it look easy. He always said that a well tasting Italian meal only needs a few, fresh, quality ingredients to go a long way.
Pappy’s kitchen rules inspired their products to be made with local, fresh, and quality ingredients intended for both the efficient home chef and those who like to experiment in the kitchen.
In 2021, Francesca, and her husband Matthew, established Ciao Pappy with the vision to be an elevated staple in your pantry where they can play a small role in creating lifetime memories. The hope is for families to more easily share quality meals together with joy and convenience.
Creamy Calabrian Marinara Pasta Sauce
Elevate your meals with the bold and velvety taste of our Creamy Calabrian Marinara. Made with sun-ripened tomatoes, rich cream, and fiery Calabrian chili peppers, this sauce delivers the perfect balance of heat and smoothness. Whether you're tossing it with pasta or using it as a gourmet pizza base, every jar brings a taste of Southern Italy to your kitchen.
Angel's Salumi & Truffles
Mission
Angel’s Salumi & Truffles strives to provide artisanal and unique charcuterie for the sophisticated palate. They create culinary magic to elevate your favorite dishes to gastronomic luxury, using only the finest natural meats and ingredients enriched with European and Mediterranean flair. High quality, conscientiously produced food is the perfect way to treat yourself and please the people you love. With every bite, you’ll taste our passion, experience, and expertise.
We make it easy for you to explore and enjoy the extraordinary!
Once Upon A Charcuterie
At the age of 17, Pascal Besset began his career as an apprentice at a five-star kitchen in Monte Carlo. Pascal passionately refined his craft over the next 15 years under the guidance of his father’s longtime friend then mentor, Cesar Merlino (Chef and Maître Charcuterie). Pascal cultivated his expertise to specialize in Charcuterie in the culinary lands of Monte Carlo, the South of France, Corsica, and Paris, working alongside gourmet giants like Bernard Broust and Mr. Langlois (Silver Medal M.A.F and M.O.F. Chefs in Charcuterie, at the Gaston Lenôtre School).
Angel's Salumi Expands
In the second half of his career, Pascal worked at six different five-star hotels in France and California, three of the Top 10 in the world. At 30, he made the journey to California to continue growing and offering the European touch to the American market. Today you can find Angel’s products in many high-end restaurants, retail shops, and distributed across the United States by gourmet food companies. Angel’s continues to grow with a newly-renovated distribution center complete with a storefront, online shop, and stunning tasting room located in Carlsbad, CA.
“Taggiasche” Olives in Brine
Taggiasche Olives are a classic characteristic olive from the hills of Oneglia, Italy. Taggiasca olives are grown on the Ligurian coast 200-500 meters above sea level and harvesteds by hand. The plump Taggiasche Olives are considered a culinary delicacy due to the low flesh-to-pit ratio. With a firm texture and a sweet and fruity flavor profile that holds hints of nutty almond, the Taggiasche Olives pair well with seafood, rabbit, salads, and citrus flavors, as well as alongside mild cheeses and flavoring sauces.
Maison F. Crayssac’s Summer Truffle Ketchup
Elevate your condiment offerings with Maison F. Crayssac’s Truffle Ketchup—a gourmet twist on a classic staple. Made in Italy, this rich tomato ketchup is infused with the bold, earthy aroma of truffle for a refined flavor that enhances burgers, fries, sandwiches, and more. Packaged in an elegant 9.5 oz glass bottle, it’s perfect for specialty retailers, gift boxes, and foodservice. Restaurants can use it to add a unique, upscale touch to menus. Shelf-stable and ready for display, this product brings European sophistication and indulgence to any kitchen or curated shelf.
Frantoio's Ligurean Pesto
Frantoio's Basil Pesto is made according to an old traditional recipe with DOP (Denominazione di Origine Protetta) basil from the coast of Liguria, and Parmigiano which has been aged for 30 months. The pesto is then soaked in Extra Virgin Olive Oil to create a bold and intense flavor. Denominazione di Origine Protetta basil has a long culinary history that dates back centuries, with a recent boom in popularity as more people discover ways to enrich their dishes with robust flavors. This sweet and savory basil is a symbol of both simplicity and quality.
Morelli Pasta
Morelli has been creating gourmet Italian pasta in Tuscany since 1860 and is a family-run company with the 5th generation currently preserving the traditions their ancestors put into place. They utilize an artisanal method of reincorporating wheat germ into semolina to create their pasta with a unique taste and the aroma of wheat. Their pasta also has a high level of Vitamin A and D due to their unusual ingredients.
After years of using wheat germ, Morelli has managed to create pasta with its extraordinary, unmistakable flavor. An intense wheat aroma is released during cooking and the water turns slightly green because of the presence of fresh wheat germ. …it is different …it tastes good even when served with just a trickle of oil. Morelli’s pasta is something else!
GOURMET ITALIAN TRUFFLE LINGUINE
Black truffles are the most sought after truffle, regardless of where they are found, and they fetch extremely high prices due to their subtle, earthy flavor that was once described as being like chocolate and earth.
A strong scent that propagates in the soil rises to the surface and traps our nostrils with an irresistible and seductive aroma. It’s the most expensive mushroom in the world, sought after by connoisseurs across countries. Truffles have been praised and enjoyed since the era of Ancient Greece, where it was thought they were created from the lightning of the god Zeus.
Versatile and Healthy
The truffle linguini pasta is flavored with real summer truffles and can be used in classic Italian dishes. It is especially good served al dente with just a touch of olive oil and garlic and paired with Parmigiano Reggiano cheese. The truffle pasta also holds up beautifully in more complex meals with vegetables, meats, or seafood added to it. Durum wheat semolina is a healthy choice for pasta as it is very high in protein and low in gluten. Morelli linguini cooks to a perfect al dente in 5 minutes.
Red Rooster Coffee Roaster
Established in 2010 in downtown Floyd, VA (pop 432), Red Rooster was created with the simple notion of roasting excellent coffee for the owner’s existing coffee house. Soon, word of Red Rooster's quality spread around Virginia and up and down the East Coast.
Today, they employ nearly 50 people while roasting some of the best coffee in the world.
While Red Rooster has won numerous awards and accolades for their coffee quality, their true passion is in making a positive social impact both at home and abroad at the coffee's origin.
Barista Syrup Sampler
The Barista Syrup Sampler contains (four) 2 fl oz jars and includes a handy recipe card, perfect for sparking your imagination. Each of the flavors chosen for this set were developed in their cafe with the help of baristas and customers alike. These flavors blend beautifully with milk and perk up your morning cup of joe. Flavors: Single Origin Chocolate, Vanilla Bean, Amber Caramel and Sweet Mint.
Papadeas Vinegar (Messino)
Papadeas was established in 1975 by Panagiotis Papadeas, who was a traditional vinegar brewer, one of the first in Peloponnese, Greece. He started by producing his own type of vinegar in wooden barrels by using as raw material multiple types of wine by local vineyards in Kalamata, Greece.
In 1984, Dionisios Papadeas takes over the company, as a successor, and his main concern is the modernization of company’s facilities.
In 1994, the facilities were transferred in a new large area in the Industrial area of Kalamata. A brand new, fully-equipped vinegar plant was built and dramatically increased production capacity. The old wooden barrels were replaced by new inox containers and acidifiers of cutting-edge technology. Finally, the pursuit of international markets began and Messino products travelled across Europe.
Honey Balsamic Cream (Glaze)
Balsamic Cream with Honey harmoniously combines the rich, sweet taste of pure Greek flower- honey, a favorite flavor of the Mediterranean diet, with the acidity of Messino balsamico. The blending of the main ingredients creates a different and delicious version of an already popular product. It is the result of the marriage of the award-winning balsamic vinegar with honey and concentrated grape must, producing a product with a beautiful amber color, a rich, sweet but balanced flavor and a thick, honey-like texture. Recommended for those who already love Balsamic Vinegar with Honey but want a different consistency and texture, or those who want a sweet taste, without added sugar.
It undoubtedly suits every salad, as it enhances the flavor of every combination and adds taste to every dressing. Try caramelizing your onions and adding them as a garnish to your favorite dishes. Also try caramelizing your roasts such as pork, chicken or beef, by adding honey glaze on top of them. Glaze cheeses, smoked meats or roasted vegetables. Dare to create sweet and original combinations, for example, garnish or caramelize baked fruit or combine it with Greek yogurt and nuts to create sweet and sour desserts without adding any sugar.
Rose Sisters Chips
Rose Sister chips have been a permanent bond between generations at every imaginable occasion. Like nothing else you've enjoyed, they become your own personal experience. The savory aroma enhances the palate - and instantly, you just know the time together is going to be filled with life-long memories. Don't believe? Take a freshly baked chip, break off a piece and pass it around the table (a Rose Family tradition from the very beginning). Uniquely delectable on its own or with a spread of your choosing. The way it’s cooked is unique too - more well-done areas right along with the evenly baked parts to suit varying preferences and tastes in one chip! They promise the enjoyment of these chips will equal the ever-lasting happy memories borne as you were experiencing them.
Deep Heritage, Fine Food, Great Friends and Loving Family - not a bad way to pass time.
Here’s a little Rose Sisters family secret: use the leftovers at the bottom of the bag? Think breadcrumbs…Amazing!