When I travel—or throughout the always-lively and competitive greater Chicagoland grocery industry, my home market—I revel in visits to unfamiliar grocery and convenience stores. Instantly immersed, strolling the perimeter and aisles, eyes darting to end caps and standalone displays, I’m a true omnivore awash in the thrill of the hunt for something new and delicious.
Of course, we all have favorite foods, and select snack and bakery categories inevitably rise quickly to the top of my hit list. And cookies will always top them all. A properly designed and executed chocolate chip cookie is a wonder to behold.