Kitchen Road Trip: Wyoming

Man, oh man! This is it. The final installment in the Kitchen Road Trip series… for now. When I started this series, I had been researching small-batch food makers and local designers from various states but had little luck finding well-curated gift guides. So, I set out to create them myself. I wanted to create a gift guide for every state, and I’d cover one state per week in alphabetical order — and now that list is complete. I’m happy to report that now Feast + West is home to a gift guide from each of the 50 states, plus Washington, D.C.! You can see them all right here.

One of the best parts of this project has been getting to know a little more about each state. It’s a dream of mine to visit them all (just 12 more to go, but there are lots I want to revisit) and so these little food- and design-focused gift guides have allowed me to travel virtually to each state and learn more about the makers and designers who make this country great. For example, I learned that New Mexico is famous for cooking with green chiles, and that some states make it really difficult to make, sell and ship craft spirits, wine and beers.

Anyway, let’s talk about Wyoming, which is why we’re really here. Wyoming is famous for being the least populous state in the country. It is perhaps even better known for its two gems, Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. I’d love to road trip through this stunning land someday and check out the wildlife, the scenery, the geysers… The Cowboy State has so much to offer. Plus, it has lots of amazing makers. I am in love with the watercolor moose print in this Wyoming gift guide, and the tiny birdhouse wine stopper too! How cute is that? The candied bacon intrigues me, too. (Yes, you read that right. Candied bacon.) Wyoming, I’m coming for you. Promise.

Thanks for following this series this year. I have some exciting new things planned for 2015, and I can’t wait to share them with you. In the meantime, make sure you’re signed up for updates and get a free copy of The Complete Guide to Building Your Home Bar to read while you wait. // susannah 

1. Letterpress Adventure Card by Creativity Cards* ($4.50) // 2. Leaf & Pen Framed Moose Print* ($28) // 3. Pig Candy* ($17) // 4. Lisa Walker Jackson Hole Tea Towel* ($24) // 5. Sundance Clayworks Birdhouse Wine Stopper* ($15) // 6. Handmade Wyoming Wool Pennants* ($30) // 7. Wyoming Woods Maple and Walnut Cutting Board* ($40) // 8. ‘The New Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone’ by Deborah Madison ($40) // 9. ‘Dream’ Mountain Ornament by Peels and Posies* ($10) // 10. Blue J Ink Crocheted Heart Cozy* ($6.50)

*Made or designed in Wyoming

(Photo // Gregory “Slobirdr” Smith on Flickr)