Article © Brendan Murphy July 11 2009.

Gourmet (def) a connoisseur of the delicacies of the table.  Of a standard required by a gourmet: first rate.
From the Old French for wine merchant's man
Hamper (def) a large basket... made from cane wickerwork etc.

When defining a Gourmet Hamper, perhaps it is best to relate to the root of the word where wine merchant's man is decribed.  Can you picture a medieval wine salesman, travelling around the villages of southern France, meeting the local pastry chefs and supplying the local Inns with wine? And the experiences he would absorb as he shares with all manner of providores and shop owners who have presented him with their own fine food wares?  This is where we are coming from we when think of gourmet.

In modern day Australia, the gourmet hamper has transformed into a general idea of wine with savoury and sweet food products, with a multitude of so called "themed" additions presented in a basket.  It is commonplace to see a cardboard box filled with mainstream chocolates and soft drinks marketed under the misnomer of a "re-invented" gourmet hamper.  What nonsense!  In the same way that Asian fusion cuisine has become an industry joke so has the re invention of the ageless traditional gourmet hamper.  Food products in a basket as a gift idea has been with us for generations and is here to stay.

As a result of the blurring of the lines, a gourmet hamper is no longer a term of exclusivity and aspiration.  It has been hi jacked by wholesale warehouses buying in pallets of discounted imported supplies and stacking them in cheap baskets with a snappy theme and big advertising budget.  They call them Gift baskets. 

Not so at Hunter Valley Hampers, where we maintain the traditional and authentic standards of a gourmet hamper being for a connoisseur of the delicacies of the table. Hunter Valley Hampers source our products from Hunter Valley Wine Country, where there is a plethora of local food providores and gourmet suppliers making their own farm gate products.  As a rule we prefer not to order from the multinational companies with pallet load discounts and special "large box small quanitity" products which they target at gift basket companies.  Have a close look at competitors gift baskets, where there are particular products that are made to "look big in the basket."

Be true to gourmet, and come along with us as we order our honey from a local lady who has a half dozen bee hives on her beef property.  She collects the honey during the summer blossom time and gently treats it for market, before bottling it and delivering the honey jars by the dozen to the Hunter Valley Hampers shop.  And that's how we do business at Hunter Valley Hampers, acting as a hub for small business to sell their products on the national stage as gourmet hampers Australia.  Just like with our olive oil supplier, and our hunter valley cookie supplier, and our sourdough, and then there's the fudge, did I mention the jam and relish?  the list is endless...

Just like the wine merchant man of yore, Hunter Valley Hampers is a gourmet hamper hub for the locals of Hunter Valley Wine Country to go about their work and deliver fresh, taste of the region produce.  And that is what makes Hunter Valley Hampers true gourmet Hampers for Australia in the full sense of the word.

Call 1300 284 684 or order safely at our online shopping store www.huntervalleyhampers.com.au

Gourmet Hampers Australia Article written by Brendan Murphy © 2009.