Costco Executive Member Turns Grocery Runs Into Black-Card Power Plays

KEY POINTS

•Alyse Whitney, cookbook author, frequented Costco to stock up on organic chickpeas and other pantry staples.
•She upgraded to an executive membership after realizing her spending habits already earned her the membership fee back.
•Whitney’s favorite buys include Meredith Dairy’s marinated goat cheese and Fly by Jing’s Sichuan chili crisp.

Alyse Whitney, cookbook author of 'Big Dip Energy,' proved once and for all that Costco isn’t just a warehouse, it’s a lifestyle—specifically an executive black-card-level lifestyle. Spending so much on staple ingredients like herby S&W Organic chickpeas at roughly $1 a can (for an eight-pack!), creamy Ithaca hummus, and Kooshy Mambo Italiano sourdough croutons, she hit the executive membership payoff threshold faster than you can say 'kimchi-cheese dip.' She also stalks rare gems like Meredith Dairy's marinated goat cheese in massive 19.4-ounce jars that come with bonus garlic oil mayonnaise-making opportunities. Alyse elevates her Costco haul with Fly by Jing’s Sichuan chili crisp and Kewpie mayonnaise, proving sandwich spreads may just be the new black gold. Her Korean American palate even embraces Jongga's 3.5-pound kimchi container — because apparently your gut health should resemble a bulk-buy Costco pallet more than a salad. Welcome to the Costco cult, now with gourmet dippers and seasoning powder parties for days.