I'm a culinary judge who shops at Costco for the holidays. Here are 10 things I buy every year.

• As a culinary judge, I think Costco is a great place for holiday staples & specialty winter treats. • If I spot Kirkland Signature smoked salmon or praline pecans, I'll put them in my cart. • I like to get cranberries, crispy onions, pomegranates, and beer variety packs from Costco.

By morning, I might be pushing my cart through a Costco. By evening, you may spot me judging a food competition.

I've evaluated hundreds of high-quality goods over the years as a judge for the Specialty Foods Association, a membership-based organization for people involved in the specialty foods industry.

My palate may seem sophisticated, but I still shop at many typical grocery stores and wholesale retailers, such as Costco.

Here are a few of my favorite things to buy there when I'm preparing to host