Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Dan's Gourmet Spot Releases New Holiday Mac-and-Cheese

Posted by on Tue, Dec 13, 2011 at 7:56 AM

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Shame on us. Have all of us here at Bites failed to clue you all in on one of the most creative comfort food and gift ideas in town? A quick check of the archives shows no mention of Dan's Gourmet Spot, despite the fact that founder and CEO Dan Stephenson and his sous chef/girlfriend Mandi Jones have been stalwarts at the Nashville Farmers' Market for more than a year. Even though I am a regular attendee at the monthly Night Markets at NFM, there have been several times when the only food I actually purchased was a bowl or Stephenson's outrageously rich mac-and-cheese offerings. I can graze on sips and samples from the other booths, but when it comes to sustenance, Dan's Gourmet is tough to beat.

Dan's specializes in what they call "Mac Packs," which are 1.25-pound recyclable aluminum foil trays delivered frozen and ready to pop in the oven. Retailing online at $8.99 apiece or $30 for a four-pack sampler, these are not your run-of-the-mill Blue Box mac-and-cheeses — they're made with fresh high-quality ingredients. Dan's previously offered four varieties before inventing the new holiday special.

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  • dansgourmetspot.com
The old standards are a spicy "Dan's Mac Attack" made with habanero-garlic sausage, an "I Dream of Creamy" mac with sherry-Romano cream sauce, baby portabellas and peas; the butter-free "Krazy Kale" mac; and my personal favorite, the "3G" mac made with chicken, Gouda, Gorgonzola and green onion. Stephenson acknowledges that he's not making health food here, but he aims to bring the sexy back to comfort food. He advises customers, "We all have diet goals, but if you're gonna cheat, cheat with us. Don't be left unsatisfied."

Since the holidays are already a time of indulgence, Dan's Gourmet Spot has rolled out a new winter treat. In fact, it's so new that it doesn't even have an official punny name yet. Stay tuned for the website to discover the official moniker, but it is available to order right away if you just have to have a tray of this amazing concoction of rotini pasta, Dubliner White Cheddar bechamel cheese sauce, caramelized red, green and poblano peppers, and a Christmas spice blend. If you think of a name for it, email Dan at dansgourmetspot@gmail.com and the author of the winning name will receive a free sampler pack.

If you are interested in giving Mac Packs to your friends during the holidays, Stephenson and Jones are actually making deliveries anywhere in Davidson and Williamson counties until Dec. 22. They'll even wear a Santa hat to greet your delighted friends and family members at the door. For $40, they'll include all five varieties, including the new holiday special. Delivery is only $8, which is a bargain considering the time and gas you'll save.

So order online or via email, or stop by Dan's Gourmet Spot at this Friday's special holiday edition of Night Market at the Nashville Farmers' Market, 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 16. Come hungry.

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