Here are my recommendations on where to get ingredients and cooking equipment. Some are local to the Boston area, where I live, and others provide catalog and/or Internet sales.
Cheese
Wassik's on Rte 135 in Wellesley is my favorite place for tasting and buying a selection of cheeses for a special occasion. (The sign out front says simply "The Cheese Shop.")
Cutlery
Stoddard's in the Chestnut Hill Mall is the best place in the area. They know what they are talking about and have a great selection.
Spices
Penzeys, Inc.
www.penzeys.com
Retail stores in Wisconsin and other places. I purchase all of my spices from them in bulk and fill my own jars. Much higher quality, better selection, and cheaper than the grocery store. Now open in Arlington, MA!
Hardwood Charcoal/Smoking Chips
Brookline Ice and Coal
610 Brookline Avenue
617.232.0941
(Also the place to find dry ice and ice slides for your wild parties. They service the Boston bars, so you can even stock up at midnight!)
Mustard
The Mount Horeb Mustard Museum
Mt. Horeb, WI
www.mustardmuseum.com
Wine Shops
In West Newton, Marty's is a great place; they also have a good selection of cheese, bread, coffee, and other gourmet items. Upper Falls Discount Liquor on Needham Street in Newton may have the best selection of wines around and excellent prices. Lower Falls Wine Company on Route 16 in Newton has a somewhat smaller collection of wines, but they are top-quality and they can be counted on to recommend a winner. Closer to home, Natick Wine & Spirits (7 Watson Street off Route 135 in West Natick) is voted my #1 choice in Natick for wine.