Island Finds

While baking in the sun is a popular island pastime, baking in the kitchen has its legion of worshipers, too. If you can take both kinds of heat, the islands have several cookware and gourmet shops for you.

Pay a relaxing visit to The Unpressured Cooker in the Olde Sanibel Shoppes, where owner Paige Lowman moved the shop in October from its long-time Periwinkle Place site. She stocks "gadgets, gifts, and gourmet items," often with a seaside or tropical flair. Spices abound, which will help you out when buying Miami Spice or License to Grill from the large selection of cookbooks. 630 Tarpon Bay Road, Sanibel, 941/472-2413.

Bailey's True Value Hardware store ensures you'll never run out of pots, pans, glassware, small appliances, and coffee makers. Hanging on the wall are lots of handy gadgets that seafood lovers won't be able to do without: shrimp deveiners, lobster shears, oyster and clam knives, and seafood forks. Cheerful platters from Spain and Italy brighten the shelves with their lively designs of fish and shells. Bailey's Shopping Center, Sanibel, 941/472-1516.

Periwinkle Place's Cheese Nook was "originally the classic cheese shop," explains owner Steve Corbin, who bought the establishment in 1978. Now, cheese is still a big seller, but the store has evolved into selling island gifts, gourmet foods, and wine. Among its specialty items are Island Preserves' jalapeño pepper jelly, mango butter, key lime jelly, and guava jelly. Just as dizzying a choice is the line of hot sauces, including Barbados Jack Island Hot Sauce, Busha Browne's True Jamaican Jerk Seasoning and Sauce, or Gator Hammock Sauce (beware, it ranges from "medium" to "lethal Gator"). 2075 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 941/472-2666.

A bit farther down Periwinkle, Spices & Spoons will entice you with jams, jellies, and a variety of island treats. An array of cookbooks includes the store's best seller, The Sanibel-Captiva Cookbook, put together by the Children's Center of the Islands. 1993 Periwinkle Way (Tahitian Gardens), Sanibel, 941/472-5599.

Keep in mind The Sporty Seahorse department store, on the east end of the island. You're sure to notice the trays decorated with lighthouse pictures, including Sanibel's very own, which happens to be down the street. Also on display are acrylic ware, and cheese or paté spreaders with ceramic fish or shell handles. 362 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 941/472-1858.

On Captiva, Wahid and Sandra Kassar's Gourmet Captiva offers "more than what people realize," according to cashier Virginia Rodriguez. In addition to groceries, the store sells pots and pans, utensils, and an extensive supply of baking products and spices. It has its own Gourmet Captiva line of syrup, sauces, and jellies. 14820 Captiva Drive, Captiva, 941/472-4200.

Boca Grande's Grapevine Gourmet Shop, located in the Historic Theatre Mall, stocks many kinds of wine, pasta, imported cheeses, hot sauces, and Green Mountain Coffee. Cocktail skewers, cheese spreaders, and brightly colored Caspari paper plates and napkins are popular gift items. 321 Park Avenue, Boca Grande, 941/964-0614.

After the fun of visiting these inspiring cookware and gourmet stores, you're bound to want to learn some new culinary creations. The executive chef of South Seas Plantation, Chris Miller, directs Viva La Chef cooking classes at the resort. Each class offers participants an "opportunity to expand their knowledge of preparing regional cuisine," culminating in a three-course lunch. Sessions are scheduled May 5, June 2, July 7, Aug. 4, Sept. 1, Oct. 6, Nov. 3, and Dec. 1. South Seas Plantation, 941/472-7578. ­LG