Shopping Tips...from Bite of the Best

Finding the newest and best food products in the vast marketplace becomes a little easier when you click on Bite of the Best. This interactive Web site is the brainchild of Bonnie Tandy Leblang, a syndicated columnist known for her “Supermarket Sampler” new products column, and a long-time friend and colleague of mine through James Beard Foundation and food journalist organizations.

Bite of the Best evaluates new food products and kitchen appliances from the perspective of Leblang and her two “twenty-something” sons.  The tone is light and informal, and the two-generational viewpoints are often interesting. Moreover, Leblang has a reputation for being tough and honest when evaluating products.

The site is interactive, meaning there’s ample opportunity to rate, review and comment. There are also coupons, recipes and news of food-related contests.

I was particularly interested in this week’s featured item: Miss Vickie’s Nine Grain Simply Salted Chips.  The chip company, which originated as a mom-and-pop operation in Ontario, Canada, but is now part of Frito-Lay, has long been a favorite of mine. Vickie’s chips are kettle cooked in small batches. The new multi grain chips are made from corn, wheat, triticale, oats, barley, sunflower seed, rye and millet.

Check out Bite of the Best and Miss Vickie’s line of terrific chips.