LUPHIA & SPIRIT Almond: Artisanal almond creations
About 80% of the world’s almond supply come from California. Being both a gourmet delicacy and a nutrient-dense food, the almond provided Michael and Jun Sanders the inspiration to create LUPHIA and SPIRIT Almond. In 2017, Jun, who was born in Japan, and Michael, who spent his teenage and early adult years there, discovered a passion for artisanal luxury sweets and launched LUPHIA, a brand based on the Omiyage culture — Japan’s unique gift-giving tradition which often involves local food specialties: “The almond was the perfect fit to create a signature California gift.” Serving celebrity and executive clients by special order, LUPHIA, whose Milk Chocolate Almond Toffee recently won the Gold Award in the International Chocolate Awards’ World Final competition, only sells their exclusive, locally crafted sweets to the general public once a year during the Winter holiday season via their online shop. In 2021, the couple decided to expand their line of artisanal almond products. On a mission to create the ultimate iterations of California almonds, they launched SPIRIT Almond, a plant-based… READ MORE Share your experience with #SPIRITAlmond
Kreation Organic: Healthy ambitions
Fifteen years ago, Marjan Sarshar opened an organic café serving Mediterranean-Persian cuisine on Montana Avenue. She then expanded to juicing, detox programs and a line of take-away foods: salads, soups, vegan sushis, cookies, wellness powders and more. What started as a passion project to nurture her community by cold-pressing juices in her garage has become an empire and a reference for Angelenos. With 24 locations in the Los Angeles area, Kreation Organic is more than a juicery: “We are in the business of helping people feel like the best version of themselves.” Raw and freshly made in small batches to preserve health benefits, all juices reflect Marjan’s mission to promote healthy eating. “I’m constantly traveling and getting inspired, learning new recipes, eco-friendly farming techniques, technologies and ways to improve our guest experience.” Whether it is to boost your immune system, detox or lose weight, Kreation’s Kleanse programs are filled with superfoods and natural ingredients of the highest quality… READ MORE Share your experience at Kreation with #KreationJuice
Caffe Luxxe: The ultimate coffee experience
Stemming from a desire to recreate the European café experience, Caffe Luxxe is a small-batch coffee roaster with 7 locations across the Los Angeles area. A concept developed in 2006 by entrepreneurs Mark Wain and Gary Chau, well-traveled, long-time friends who decided to leave the corporate world to create their own brand and offer a luxury experience to coffee aficionados. With the desire to control the entire process from farm to cup and to create sustainable practices with all their partners, they have built direct relationships with producers of the finest coffee beans: “Great coffee begins at the farm. Our relationships ensure that farmers are paid more than fair prices consistently year after year.” Their professional baristas also receive extensive training to master the art and science of espresso and coffee preparation… READ MORE Share your experience at Caffe Luxxe with #CaffeLuxxe
ButterLove & Hardwork: Smashing sculptures for the love of chocolate
Pastry chef Chris Ford’s ever-evolving thematic and delicious experiences have defined his successful career as a creative pioneer. With his company ButterLove&Hardwork, he delves into the art of luxury confections with famous creations like his signature chocolate breakable sculptures. While Ford’s grandmother taught him baking and cooking, his parents instilled in him the essence of hard work and perfectionism. His first job in a fine-dining kitchen was at the Ritz-Carlton Orlando. He worked in New York and Virginia before joining the Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore… READ MORE Share your experience with #butterloveandhardwork
Ladurée by Matthew Kenney: When French tradition rhymes with innovation
Pastry makers since 1862, Ladurée is the epitome of French refinement. It all started with a small bakery in Paris, which was soon transformed into a highly fashionable pastry shop and tea room, a favorite of French high society. Ladurée’s macaron, with its two meringues joined with ganache or jam, has become an iconic pastry of French gastronomy. Every year, 17 million macarons are sold in more than one hundred… READ MORE Share your experience at Ladurée with #CelebrateWithLaduree
Jayde’s Market: For a gourmet, healthy lifestyle
Nestled in the canyons of Bel-Air at the Beverly Glen Centre, Jayde’s Market, named after Thomas Plejer’s daughter, is a unique neighborhood marketplace that boasts a café, bakery, deli and a spirit and wine cellar. The decoration’s pared-down elegance and European flair immediately make you feel welcome. With a pioneering range of services, the family-owned market offers a fine selection of rare and locally sourced products. Supporting small vendors and developing quality relationships with them, Thomas and his team are on a mission to scout and handpick epicurean foods for a healthy lifestyle. “We start with a passion for food, cooking and helping customers create special moments with the people they spend time with.” Offering a selection of responsibly-sourced seafood, antibiotic-free butcher cuts and artisanal Grab & Go meals… READ MORE Share your experience at Jayde’s with #JaydesMarket
Farmshop: From the farm to your table
Located in the charming Brentwood Country Mart, Farmshop is a market, bakery and restaurant that highlights local farmers and artisans by showcasing the seasons and flavors of California. Founded in 2010 by chef-owner Jeff Cerciello — 13-year veteran of Thomas Keller’s restaurant group, the specialty market, which embraces the essence of rustic elegance, offers a broad selection of flavorful, healthy findings. “Every bite is a story of the seasons to be tasted and told by our chefs, cheesemongers, bakers, butchers, and greengrocers.” Stocking their shelves and filling their menus with delicious taste experiences, Farmshop is on a mission to support passionate, independent growers and food artisans at the forefront of local and regional sustainable, organic and craft food… READ MORE
