Soho, the trendy artists' quarter in the south of Manhattan, is where keen gourmets will find a store that will send them to seventh culinary heaven and leave their taste buds in raptures.

Dean & Deluca, the Big Apple delicatessen, offers a seemingly endless selection of culinary treats: Fresh, exotic fruit and vegetables, cheese, wine, fish, meat and countless types of bread leave no wish unanswered. Even an espresso bar or exclusive kitchen accessories and cookery books are available in the loft-like gourmet store.

Dean & Deluca has contracts with thousands of suppliers, with their products being shipped in from all over the world. Just under half of their suppliers are based in Europe. Dean & Deluca also create their own products and sell them in store with minimalist, exquisite packaging.

With well-informed staff always on hand to offer expert help, the store even offers a catering and planning service should you wish to provide food and drink from all over the world for your event or celebration.

The three founders, Georgio Deluca, Joel Dean and Jack Ceglic, who opened their first store in Soho in 1977, now have 14 stores across the USA. There is another being opened in Tokyo. It is only in Europe that gourmets have problems making their pilgrimage to the hallowed counters of Dean & Deluca: They have to rely on catalogs and mail order schemes instead.

What once started out with cheese, sundried tomatoes and basil, is now a successful part of the gastronomy scene in the city that never sleeps. Gastronomers and caterers from all over the world learn about the latest culinary trends and are inspired by Dean & Deluca's creations. Even the Munich-based caterer Michael Käfer comes here for ideas, while the delicatessen's list of regular customers includes Cindy Crawford and Madonna.

Click here to visit the Dean & Deluca store: www.deandeluca.com