Once upon a time, a not very long time time ago, Melissa Chmelar tried to bring a little bit of country to New York City. The Cordon Bleu Trained chef decided that New Yorkers deserved a sampling of the freshest organic produce that hands could pick.

Spoon Catering was born. After experiencing overwhelming success, Melissa developed Spoon storefront and TableSpoon. Since I’m not part of the super swanky New York set all of this has limited interest to me (my narcissism is well established).

What comes next is truly delightful. (big payoff after the jump!) —>

An online store!

My kids and I figured out why this company is called Spoon. We opened up a jar of Blueberry Jam and couldn’t believe the smell. Earlier in the year I’d taken my kids to pick blueberries from the farm, and ever since then we’ve become blueberry snobs.

The scent of real fruit was overwhelming. Guess what the ingredients are? Blueberries and sugar. Yep, that’s it, nothing else. I guess Ms. Chmelar isn’t a genius when it comes to protecting her recipes. In theory I could take some blueberries and sugar and make some jam. I totally would make it myself if I wasn’t busy laying around the house doing nothing playing with my kids.

Here’s the thing about the Blueberry Jam, It’s runny and gooey and we didn’t use it like you’re supposed to. Yes, I’m raising rule breakers. We ate a small jar of the Blueberry Jam in a day. We ate it on vanilla ice cream, we ate it on fresh biscuits, we plopped some on pancakes and then in the middle of the night I ate a few spoon fulls straight from the jar. Then the unthinkable happened.

I stood in my nightgown licking my fingers. I have no shame.

I count nine jams in their storefront and if the other eight are anywhere near as delicious as the first I think I’ll start letting my pants out now. I love that the foods are whole and the flavors are strong and true. I adore that it’s a small business, family owned. I feel free to put it in my body because it’s a healthful treat.

If you’re in New York City I’d recommend breakfast or lunch at the storefront. It’s at 17 West 20th Street

(between 5th and 6th Avenues). The rest of us will have to get by with their online shop. Imagine gift baskets starting at just $40. December just got easier.

****

If you want to can your own fruits Jennifer shows you how

And Valerie shows you how to keep it safe

Yes, there is a sustainable kitchen