The Food Emporium yesterday debuted its "Taste of Nature" Collection to introduce shoppers to a range of Austrian delicacies, with an event at the gourmet A&P banner's BridgeMarket location in Manhattan.

The traditional Austrian fare now available at the 16-store chain includes Styrian pumpkin seed spreads and oils; Staud's pickled vegetables, jellies, and jams; Lustenauer mustards; aromatic natural cheeses; and high-end confections such as the Imperial Torte, consisting of chocolate layered between almond wafers and covered in marzipan with a glaze of milk chocolate. The dessert was originally created in honor of Emperor Franz Joseph I for the opening of Vienna's Hotel Imperial.

Also featured in the collection are some of Austria's most famous gourmet brands, among them Meinklang Vinegars, Wenger Mustards, Efko Pickled Vegetables, Darbo Fruit Spreads, Manner Cream Wafers, and Sachers Coffee.

"Taste of Nature" products exclusively carried by The Food Emporium include Muessauer chocolates, which offer such unique flavor combinations as filled chocolate bars in Poppyseed, Cornelian Cherry, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Herb Ganache varieties made from local ingredients, and Demel chocolate bars.

On hand for the occasion at the store, at 59th Street and First Avenue, was the federal minister of agriculture, forestry, environment and water management for Austria, Josef Proell, who took part in a special ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Montvale, N.J.-based A&P operates 447 stores in eight states and the District of Columbia under the following banner: A&P, Waldbaum's, Pathmark, Best Cellars, The Food Emporium, Super Foodmart, SuperFresh, and Food Basics.