Circle Craft Christmas Market will be back at the Vancouver Convention Centre West on November 11 thru 16, 2014. You can save $2 by purchasing your tickets in advance online. In addition to all the talented crafters, artisans and designers that will be at the shop, there are reasons for a gastronome to go as well. Here are my favourites from the market.

SWEET TRUTH CANDY

A mother of nine children, Grandma Damey sold her creamies and fudgies to Eatons and The Hudson's Bay Company in the 1920s and 30s. Now this wholesome recipe made with only whole natural ingredients can be found annually at the Vancouver Christmas Market. The Sweet Truth's original almond butter toffee is a buttery hot mess of pleasure. I recommend a box or three. photo: Sweet Truth

OKANAGAN VINEGAR BREWING

Created right here in BC by Alois Thurn, the Okanagan Vinegar Company has a decadent line of wine vinegars (sherry wine, Riesling white wine and Champagne), fruit vinegars (black cherry, raspberry and apple), balsamic vinegars, wine jellies and condiments including applewood smoked sea salt.

As he has no desire to lose touch with the artisanal side of his business, which means he has to stay small enough to maintain a hands-on and handcrafted approach. He prefers creating small batches which sometimes means running out of product and not being able to offer more for two years due to the requirements of the aging process.

SALT SPRING ISLAND CHEESE

This beautiful artisan cheese is made right on Salt Spring Island. You can choose from chevres, feta, hard cheese, and surface ripened cheese.

Always a pleaser at afternoon tea parties, I make sure to keep one of the chevres topped with gorgeous tender whole cloves of garlic and one of the gorgeous pink flower chevres on hand during christmas for an impromptu tea party, or hosting surprise guests. It stays fresh for a long time, and always impresses.

photo by: Filament Photography

GOODIES BY THELMA

It's like a Canning Cinderella story. Once upon a time Thelma canned for her own use and for the occasional craft fair. Fast forward 4 years Thelma up to her elbows in more orders than she could fill!

It was in trying Thelma's pickles that I discovered that there was more to pickling than just pickles. I aspire for my pickles to be as consistent and as wholesome as hers. Always a treat I pick up one or two for myself.

THE FISHERY

You haven't experienced fresh, wild salmon canned until you've had it by these guys. I always pick up a few cans and eat them sparingly throughout the year. They also make an exceptional Salmon Pate which I assume is would be a real crowd pleaser when served to party guests though my package has never lasted long enough to prove the point. DE-LI-CIOUS!!!

Photo by BBC Food.

TICKET GIVE AWAY: We have a pair of tickets to give away courtesy of Circle Craft Christmas Market. All you have to do is tell me which of the exhibitors you are most excited to see in comments! Winner will be drawn at noon on Thursday November 6, 2014. Good luck!