Eat, Drink and Be Merry! A Darden Venture Holiday Gift Guide

It’s time for that annual angst-ridden question: What’s a unique gift that the recipient will enjoy? To take some stress out of this year’s holiday shopping, consider presents from a venture owned by Darden School of Business alumni. Each offers something tasty to indulge your palate — perfect for gift-giving or sharing with friends and loved ones around a holiday table.

Ethiopian Delights

Ethiopian Delights provides instant, ready-to-eat Ethiopian favorites.

If you crave something Beza Bisrat (MBA ’24) describes as “flavorful, warm and earthy” and uniquely community focused, then Ethiopian Delights has you covered. Bisrat’s startup brings the rich flavors of Ethiopian cuisine to a global audience by offering instant, ready-to-eat meals.

Take Bisrat’s Spicy Red Lentil Stew. This vegan dish is known for its aromatic blend of onions, garlic and traditional Ethiopian spices. Those who want something less spicy but equally flavorful will enjoy Bisrat’s Split Pea Stew bursting with turmeric, ginger, garlic and other spices. The stews, which can be eaten with rice, beans or bread, are available online.

Single Baked Sweets

Simple Baked Sweets offers dessert kits that come with pre-measured dry ingredients, bakeware and instructions.

This holiday season, treat yourself, your family and your best friend with a dessert kit for one. You choose the flavor, include a special note and Single Baked Sweets will take care of the rest. Founded by Melissa Stefaniak (EMBA ’19), who wanted to simplify made-from-scratch baking, the company offers dessert kits that come with pre-measured dry ingredients, bakeware and instructions.

Why not splurge on a Deluxe Baker’s Box Set? It includes five dessert kits — in flavors ranging from chocolate-chip cookie to s’mores pie — and comes with a porcelain ramekin, spatula and potholder. All gift items ship free anywhere in the U.S.

Munchbird

Don’t forget your furry friends this holiday season.

While you’re wining and dining, don’t forget Max and Bella. Your dogs will love all-natural treats from Munchbird. Founded by Kai Lu (MBA ’05), this Chicago-based company prides itself on offering high-quality functional products while aligning with sustainable and ethical business practices.

Munchbird avoids fillers, additives and preservatives, ensuring that its high-protein treats are pure and healthy for pets, including dogs with allergies and sensitive stomachs. Order Chicken Wrapped Pear, Freeze Dried Salmon, Chicken Chips and other dog treats and chews directly from the company or on Amazon.

Old Line Spirits

Old Line Spirits makes American single-malt whiskey.

This Baltimore-based distillery won’t disappoint even the most discerning craft spirits connoisseur. Co-founded by Mark McLaughlin (MBA ’12), Old Line Spirits makes American single-malt whiskey, aged in new oak barrels like bourbon, gluten-free vodka and aged Caribbean rum.

Bottles can be ordered online and ship to most states. The distillery recently took home a platinum medal for its flagship whiskey at the 2024 Las Vegas Global Spirit Awards. For a chance to sample and bottle your own holiday whiskey and rum, visit the distillery at 200 S. Janney St. in Baltimore on December 14.

Archer Roose Wines

Archer Roose is disrupting the wine industry with luxury wine in cans.

If craft spirits aren’t your thing, break out a can of Archer Roose’s Malbec. It’s perfect for any celebratory meal and pairs well with grilled red meat and the dark meat of turkey. Since Marian Leitner-Waldman and David Waldman (MBA ’15) launched Archer Roose in 2016, they’ve been disrupting the wine industry with luxury wine in cans, all while supporting the planet with sustainable processes and environmentally conscious packaging.

Order Archer Roose wines like Malbec, Sauvignon Blanc, Bubbly, Rosé and Pinot Grigio here. Enjoy the company’s irreverent viral ads, starring Elizabeth Banks, who recently joined the company as an investor and Chief Creative Officer.

Common Wealth Crush

Common Wealth Crush offers unique wine blends and lesser-known grape varieties.

If you’re looking for unique wine blends and lesser-known grape varieties like Petit Manseng, then Common Wealth Crush, co-founded by Patt Eagan (MBA ’21), is for you. Its online store is chockfull of creative offerings such as “The Artist Formerly Known as Sparkling,” a crisp blend of Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc; “Mise,” a Petit Manseng orange wine; “Let’s Be Friends,” a Merlot-based red blend; and “Party Kiwi,” a rich and textured Sauvignon Blanc.

For an unforgettable in-person experience, visit CWC’s Waynesboro tasting room, developed in collaboration with a celebrated NYC-based sommelier Lee Campbell (CLAS ’94).

Shenandoah Joe Coffee Roasters

Shenandoah Joe was recently acquired by Darden grad Darrell Ian Pacheco (MBA ’23).

For a quick pick-me-up after a sumptuous meal — or a gift for a coffee aficionado — check out Shenandoah Joe, established as a small-batch coffee roaster in 1993 in Charlottesville. Darrell Ian Pacheco (MBA ’23) recently acquired Shenandoah Joe from its owner, Dave Fafara.

The company sources the finest Arabica beans from around the globe and offers more than 25 varieties of gourmet coffee. Order Jitterbug Blend, Kaldi’s Euphoria or choose from several single-origin coffees from Kenya to Costa Rica online. For an expertly brewed cup of Joe pop into one of Shenandoah Joe’s Virginia-based coffee shops.