On Thursday, Nov. 16, club members went on a road trip to the Wicked Good Gourmet shop at 1168 Main Street, Old Town (between St. Joseph's Cemetary and the Orono town line), where we heard Mark Kent, the proprietor of Wicked Good Gourmet, talk about his business and his background.

Wicked Good Gourmet provides an easy way for shoppers to order high-quality food items from Maine and elsewhere in New England and have them shipped to friends or relatives, particularly in states outside of New England. Mark says a number of his customers who want to purchase food items that they used to buy in Maine--either when they lived here or were on vacation--but can't find the items at their local Whole Foods store.

He describes his business as follows on his website (www.wickedgoodgourmet.com):
     "Wicked Good Gourmet was founded by Mark Kent to bring the finest artisanal specialty foods made by farmers and chefs around New England to your door.  These products are usually sold in Farmers Markets and local stores across New England. When you subscribe to the Taste of New England Box you are not only receiving the best specialty food products that New England has to offer, you are also supporting the farmers and chefs that are striving to grow their small businesses.  We champion the small businesses and artisanal producers across New England.  We connect with small businesses that are growing and supporting local jobs and small towns.  We find the best products from the best people and deliver them to your door so that you can enjoy celebrating the best of what New England has to offer." 

Mark currently offers two subscription plans--one for $19.95 a month plus shipping and one for $39.95 a month plus shipping (only the $19.95 plan was offered when I checked the website on the morning of Nov. 17), where he selects a variety of Maine and New England gourmet items with a different theme each month and ships them to the address you selects.  However, he's in the process of offering shoppers the option of filling their own basket on line and then shipping it.

Shoppers can also visit his store and either purchase items to take with them or fill a box for shipment.  The store is currently open on Fridays and Saturdays, but will be open additional days during holiday periods.