THE GIVING SEASON — EAT LOCAL

Tareka Lofton of Loft22 Cakes worked hard to perfect her shipping process and reports she has had satisfied clients as far away as New York. “We ship about five days after your cake has been prepared (excluding weekends), and you’ll get it one day,” says Lofton. If the cake needs to arrive by a certain date, call to make arrangements. We tested the process, and the multi-tier cake arrived in perfect condition. The cake arrives frozen, with detailed instructions on how to thaw and store it. You also can pick one up at the Fort Worth bakery. Her new holiday flavors include Christmas French Toast and Butter Pecan Shortbread, shown here.

Full-size cakes, $55-$95, Loft22 Cakes

Dr. Sue’s Chocolate is made in Grapevine by a local physician who specializes in all-natural ingredients. We love her barks — slabs of chocolate studded with nuts and fruit. One of the best buys is the assorted bark collection (prices vary), and it’s packaged for gift giving.

Check out her Grapevine shop for the complete selection; Eatzi’s Market & Bakery carries select flavors and sizes.

Texas honey production dropped in 2021 thanks to ongoing drought conditions and the winter storm. Give a sweet gift and support the beekeepers and the bees. Look for made-in-Texas brands such as JC’s Honey Bees out of Peaster wherever honey is sold.

$15, Local Foods Kitchen in Fort Worth

We first met Scotty Scott through his Instagram feed — instagram.com/cookdrankeat — where his food photos and videos are incredible. (Apparently, 27,000 other people think so, too.) We got to spend a little time with him in his small home kitchen where the magic happens. His first cookbook, Fix Me a Plate: Traditional and New School Soul Food Recipes, is available for preorder. The publication date is the end of January, so this will be an IOU gift. We’re ready to make his catfish and grits, as well as his brown butter sweet potato waffles.

$21.99, cookdrankeat.com or at online booksellers