Food Network Staffers Share Their Favorite Mail-Order Foods

My old co-worker and I used to celebrate long and particular stressful weeks with a trip to Shake Shack for a little Friday pick-me-up! Sometimes, just anticipating one of the classic cheeseburgers with their special, secret sauce would do the trick and help us get through a tough week and pump us up for the upcoming weekend. It’s great to know we can still continue our Shake Shack Fridays even from a distance.

-Lauren Tom, Associate Content Producer

My boyfriend and I went to college at Ohio State (yes, THE Ohio State University!), and one of the things we miss the most about life in Columbus is Jeni’s Ice Cream. It’s seriously the best ice cream around. We send it to friends and family for holidays, birthdays and just because. Now, we order it for ourselves, too. Jeni is always coming out with new and interesting flavors, and we place an order for six pints at a time — you know, for efficiency. Our favorites right now are Cold Brew with Coconut Cream and Raspberry Rose Jelly Donut.

-T.K. Brady, Senior Editor

This company is known throughout the culinary industry for its high quality meat, but the company has grown into so much more than that, including mushrooms, butters and oils. Food Network Kitchen and our chefs utilize this company a lot, and since they’ve moved closer to me in New Jersey, I feel like they are my local peeps. My husband and I purchase from them about once a month when they have their freezer sales — it’s the best bang for your buck. I recently treated myself for Mother’s Day with St. Louis ribs, wagyu beef patties, duck breast, trumpet mushrooms and maitakes — oh my!

-Danielle Strain, Culinary

I’m kind of obsessed with Hu Kitchen chocolate, especially their chocolate gems (which I love to put in granola, cookies or eat as a topping for an apple with almond butter). The gems are more pricey than the average bag of chocolate chips, but the organic and paleo ingredient list makes it so worth it. A few weeks ago, I placed an order for a few bags, plus some chocolate bars for snacking, and they arrived quickly and in perfect shape — no melting whatsoever! I’m trying to stretch out my chocolate haul for as long as possible, but something tells me I’ll be placing another order in next to no time.

-Leah Scalzadonna, Associate Editor, Programing

I’m loving the sausage variety pack I got from Seemore Meats and Veggies. They are pre-cooked, so I can pop one in my toaster oven for 5 to 7 minutes and slice them up over a grain bowl, salad or bun! They are so tasty and packed with veggies, so it makes for a healthy balance without being super heavy. I’m home working and chasing around our one-year-old, so they are also a fast way to have a satisfying meal that feels a little dressed up.

-Michelle Warner, Food Stylist

I love Lady M crepe cakes, especially their green tea flavor. The cakes are on the pricier side, but they’re so satisfying to sink your fork into and pretty much melt in your mouth. They make for gorgeous and unique gifts for special occasions, and the boxes they ship in are so pretty! They’ll seriously make you feel like royalty. I also love that they’re "lighter" than other cakes. You can really indulge without feeling too sluggish afterward.

-Maggie Wong, Associate Editor

I've lived in a different state from my parents since I moved away for college almost eight years ago, so naturally celebrating smaller holidays started to look a little different. This year, I wanted to send a little slice of NYC to my mom in lieu of seeing her for Mother's Day. To put it simply, the cheesecake from Eileen's Special Cheesecake was a hit. My personal favorite is the Salted Caramel, which you can have delivered as part of the Quad Sampler. It's coated in sugar, bruléed and drizzled with a caramel sauce. It's decadent, unique and one of the best desserts I've ever tasted — my mom agreed!

-Rachel Trujillo, Associate Content Editor