Gourmet Guru: Mount Dora shopkeeper peddles ingredients to fine dining

To achieve perfection in a meal, one must start with fine ingredients. Consider The Gourmet Spot in downtown Mount Dora as a good place to start when searching for the best of specialty food products.

Owner Trish Morgan explains what makes the products in her store gourmet is the quality of ingredients that are used, how they are prepared in small batches and, most importantly, their handcrafted taste is packed full of flavor.

“I’m a Californian so I have a West Coast palette,” she said. “That whole fresh quality food thing is how I grew up. I have a passion for food and I believe in quality.”

From popular brands, such as Stonewall Kitchen and Robert Rothschild Farm, The Gourmet Spot features a variety of artisan products creating a “boutique of good taste.” The store’s list of wares is more like a cookbook’s glossary, including coffees, balsamic vinegar, baking mixes, chocolates, condiments, dessert sauces, dips, honey, grill sauces, jams, mustards, nuts, olives, olive oils, pastas, peppercorns, premium extracts, rice, rubs, salad dressings, salsa, soups, spices, tapenades, teas, truffle oils and wine vinegars.

The Gourmet Spot has been in operation for about 14 years. It was formerly named “Instead of Flowers” until Morgan purchased the shop a couple years ago and changed the name to reflect the store’s line of quality foodie fare. In addition to its gourmet provisions, the store sells tabletop accessories, unique kitchen gadgets and entertaining frills.

While the store attracts gastronomes and connoisseurs, Morgan makes it easy for all experience levels to enjoy the exotic and delicious flavors of gourmet food. She makes a point to help each customer understand how the product he or she is purchasing can be used. For example, a Lemon Wasabi Sauce by Robert Rothschild is a popular item at the store. While it’s fantastic on seafood, such as sushi and salmon, it also makes for a great spread on a roast beef sandwich or a tangy dipping sauce for chicken fingers or egg rolls.

“The goal is to teach the customer that these products have multiple uses,” Morgan said.

The educational experience at The Gourmet Spot seems to never end, and that is a good thing for those who like fine foods. The store hosts “semi-homemade” cooking classes with guest chefs during the cooler months. Morgan also helps customers understand the health benefits of eating gourmet.

“I’m a big label reader,” she said. “In addition to liking good food, I want to know what I’m eating. What’s great about gourmet is since it’s made with quality ingredients it can be lower in sugar and sodium.”