Ayako & Family James

With the holiday season quickly approaching, and countless holiday parties and gatherings to attend to, what to bring as a hostess gift is a question I am often asked. I always recommend bringing something that’s personal as it’s a lovely and personal way to thank someone. Plus, as opposed to bringing a bottle of wine, which is still a lovely gesture, it adds a personal element that will be greatly appreciated. Think about something they love. Whether it is your famous coconut macaroons on a beautiful platter that is left behind, a bag of homemade fudge, or even a jar of homemade jam, always take a moment to say “thank you.” 

One of my favorite gifts this holiday season is Ayako & Family Jams that are made in Seattle by Ayako herself. I am honored to personally know her and have fallen in love with her delectable jams. She makes each batch by hand from pitting the prunes to slowly cooking them in small batches. Her love and sincere passion for jam comes across in each bite and simply put, I cannot get enough of them! Whether I spread it on toast or add a dollop to my Greek yogurt, Ayako & Family Jams are absolutely beyond fantastic. And I am not the only one that thinks so! She has been featured in countless magazines and online publications and recently, Serious Eats nominated her jam as 1 of 15 best jams in the country. Here is what they had to say:

“The texture of the damson plum jam from this Seattle-based producer is one you won't soon forget: luscious, even creamy, delivering seriously potent flavor. It's winelike and full of bass notes but still strikingly fresh-tasting, capturing all the bright and deep personality of the fruit, all sourced from Mair Farm Taki in Yakima, Washington. It's one of the best plum jams we've ever tried.” http://www.seriouseats.com/2014/10/best-jam-jelly-preserves-gifts-sqirl-rare-bird-ayako-inna.html

So this holiday season, how about making your favorite holiday thumbprint cookies with Ayako & Family Jams or better yet, bringing a few jars and letting them! Don’t be surprised if you quickly become the highlight of the night! Check out their website for full details: http://ayakoandfamily.com 

Cheers to starting a new tradition around the table together!

Sincerely,

Tiffany Lewis

Founder and true believer in the power of bringing people around The Table Together!