Suggestions for foodie gifts

I have searched and found some related postings but nothing that really works.

I am looking for a gift for a food-loving couple. They have tons of food and wine-related accessories already so I need something creative. They enjoy new experiences, so an excellent cooking class or event might be up their alley.

Any suggestions?

An enjoyable book that foodies should like: My Last Supper: 50 Great Chefs and Their Final Meals / Portraits, Interviews, and Recipes.

Another possibility might be a ___-of-the-month club. Zingerman's offers some very attractive options.

Most foodies are hip to the latest food trends and want to try to replicate at home. One of the newest kitchen gadgets is a tagine. It's a cone shaped pot used for a number of dishes. The idea is that it retains the heat without the condensation. I've seen them in Wallpaper and Dwell magazines lately (architecture mags) and they say you can buy them not to cook with but as a catch all by your front door! Anyway, Crate and Barrel has one for $50 or so. Another idea is to buy them a "best of" item. They may have everything but if their anything like me, they are ready to upgrade any of their gadgets, given the chance. You can peruse Sur la Table for ideas and of course Williams Sonoma. Good luck.

If you're talking pretty hardcore folks who really love cooking, I think kitchenwares are tough. People have tried to give me kitchenwares galore over the years, and unless it's something specific they were already aware I wanted, they've usually ended up relegated to a drawer somewhere. If you're serious about cooking, your tool selection is a very personal matter.

I heartily support edible gifts, but I think most of the "of the month" clubs are a little tired and geared toward people who like to think of themselves as foodies rather than people who really are serious about food. I think premium ingredients are a great thing to give. A fresh white truffle in a jar of rice, for example, is probably one of the best gifts I could receive from somebody. Jamon Iberico has finally hit the States, but may be difficult to come by. If they're into Asian, sourcing something like some really awesome fresh wasabi root or yuzu might be appreciated. If you know for certain they're not ethically opposed, I don't know any serious food geek who wouldn't love to receive a lobe of grade A foie gras (though given its perishable nature, you might have to come up with some creative way to do it so you don't force them into the kitchen during a week when they'd rather not be cooking). Manni olive oil is truly gift worthy, as is a premium aged balsamic (the real stuff, of course). Fauchon mustards used to make great gifts, but Faucon seems to be circling the drain these days. I have no idea what they're still offering.

Anyway, you get the idea. You know your friends, of course, and maybe they'd prefer a neat kitchen gadget or a bottle of wine, but if they're the types who love to cook and who really appreciate great ingredients, some of these are probably a little unconventional from a Christmas gift perspective, but I know I'd love to receive them.

I would second the suggestion of the Last Supper book. I friend of mine gave it to me as a holiday gift and it is quite beautiful. And I've found it very moving. But I especially love it because it includes a full page, full color photo of a naked Tony Bourdain with a big strategically placed bone. It is so very Tony. And so why I crush on him

I, too, would advise against cookware.

I want to point out that a tajine/tagine is not a new gadget by any means. Rather it refers to both a dish (a stew made with lamb or poultry) and the traditional clay pot it is cooked in. They are used in Morocco and elsewhere in the Maghreb. The cover of a tagine actually keeps condensation in the pot and returns it to the base below.

There's Foodie Fight, the trivia game with over 1,000 questions covering all things culinary. Call Sur La Table to see if they have it in stock.

Vanille Patisserie offers classes; call 773.868.4574. Dimitri and Keli Fayard are friendly and highly skilled, so I imagine that the classes would be superb.

Pastoral offers classes on cheese and how to pair wine and beer with cheese. Call 773.472.4181.

A gift certificate to Zingerman's is always welcome.

I'd probably mail-order some fantastic regional food, such as Southside Market barbecue from Texas -- southsidemarket.com; bagels and lox kit from Russ and Daughters in NYC -- russanddaughters.com; or ice cream from Capogiro Gelato Artisans in Philadelphia - capogirogelato.com (as far as I can tell, only one shop in Chicago sells it).

Good luck.

fleurdesel wrote:bagels and lox kit from Russ and Daughters in NYC -- russanddaughters.com

Now that is a fine idea.

Dmnkly wrote:If you're talking pretty hardcore folks who really love cooking, I think kitchenwares are tough. People have tried to give me kitchenwares galore over the years, and unless it's something specific they were already aware I wanted, they've usually ended up relegated to a drawer somewhere. If you're serious about cooking, your tool selection is a very personal matter.

I heartily support edible gifts, but I think most of the "of the month" clubs are a little tired and geared toward people who like to think of themselves as foodies rather than people who really are serious about food. I think premium ingredients are a great thing to give. A fresh white truffle in a jar of rice, for example, is probably one of the best gifts I could receive from somebody. Jamon Iberico has finally hit the States, but may be difficult to come by. If they're into Asian, sourcing something like some really awesome fresh wasabi root or yuzu might be appreciated. If you know for certain they're not ethically opposed, I don't know any serious food geek who wouldn't love to receive a lobe of grade A foie gras (though given its perishable nature, you might have to come up with some creative way to do it so you don't force them into the kitchen during a week when they'd rather not be cooking). Manni olive oil is truly gift worthy, as is a premium aged balsamic (the real stuff, of course). Fauchon mustards used to make great gifts, but Faucon seems to be circling the drain these days. I have no idea what they're still offering.

Anyway, you get the idea. You know your friends, of course, and maybe they'd prefer a neat kitchen gadget or a bottle of wine, but if they're the types who love to cook and who really appreciate great ingredients, some of these are probably a little unconventional from a Christmas gift perspective, but I know I'd love to receive them.

I'd like to be part of a gift exchange with Dmnkly, please.
Well said.
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I think the Balsamic idea is a really good one. Out of the "box," and SOOOOO good. I have a btl that I will take a drink of straight up every once in a while. Lol - my mouth just started watering thinking about that one.

I also might suggest going to an Indian grocer (if they enjoy indian food, are good cooks, and have not yet delved into making it at home) and buying a kind of a "starter kit:"
Mustard Seeds
Turmeric
Mango Powder
A few of the different Garam Masala mixes
Dried Methi
Asefoetida powder
I'm sure a few boxes of the other masalas would be great i.e. Goscht / Dal Masalas
Several Jars of the different pickles
Cilantro / Coriander Chutney
Jar of ghee

If they dig on the Indian food, and can cook, this stuff will basket up nicely, and show some serious thought, and go a long way in the "bang for the buck" area.
==
As an aside -
This "Foodie Fight" game is way right up my alley, though I'd probably have a hard time finding 3 others out of my circle of friends to play it with real fervor. Has anyone played it, and / or know if it's a good game? If Jeopardy was entirely "Potent Potables," and food related categories, I would be the all time champ. For some reason, I have a brain that likes to retain trivial culinary knowledge.

Personally, the gift that I sent this year was a gift of cheese from one of the university creameries. I used both the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Mississippi State University. However, it is probably too late for either as MSU was sold out and UWM was looking for orders prior to December 10th.

fleurdesel wrote:I, too, would advise against cookware.

I want to point out that a tajine/tagine is not a new gadget by any means. Rather it refers to both a dish (a stew made with lamb or poultry) and the traditional clay pot it is cooked in. They are used in Morocco and elsewhere in the Maghreb. The cover of a tagine actually keeps condensation in the pot and returns it to the base below.

Yeah, good point. I think they've been in existence for over 400 years; however, to the mainstream, this is a newly marketed "must have" kitchen accessory. As you could tell from my original post, they are being marketed in architecture magazines as a piece of furniture. Now they sell them at C&B, next you'll see them at Target, then Rachel Ray will try to use one on TV and then everyone will have another pot in their home that they'll never use. Some kitchen fads come and go but others stay.

Hey, knives have been around for a long time as well but only in the past 15-20 years, the commercially marketed "must-have" high end commercial quality chef's knife has been found in every household in America.

We all know that the methods and tools for preparing foods is nothing new - it should go without saying; however the way these methods and tools are marketed to the mainstream is typically the vehicle that provides demand and subsequently the availability of "gifts."

Good luck on the gift and have a happy holiday season...

How about some interesting wines?

Thanks for all the suggestions. I haven't decided what exactly I'm doing yet but at least I don't feel as lost.

Now if only I could find a gift for my mother-in-law!

12345ne wrote:Now if only I could find a gift for my mother-in-law!

There, you're on your own.

12345ne wrote:Now if only I could find a gift for my mother-in-law!

I'm sure something like THIS would never cross any of our minds.

This is, of course, a crude attempt at humor.

What I like to receive, and sometimes give as a gift.

Prime beef:

www.allenbrothers.com

no gadgets, or cookware, I like to buy my own, and have a pretty well equipped kitchen, so most things would be a duplicate. Also no cookbooks for pretty much the same reason.

A few ideas:
This looks promising:
Foodie Fight trivia game.
Food Network DVD's (I'm partial to Alton Brown's "Good Eats" episodes myself)
Bacon & Meat nonsense from Archie McPhee.
Foods of Chicago DVD (Free with a $75 membership pledge to WTTW television.
Something from the shop at AltonBrown.com (I'd suggest the salt cellars.)

See, the thing with this Foodie Fight game is I wonder if it challenges people who *really* know food i.e. not "foodies."

I love trivia games, but I've played a couple recently that exist merely as gimmickry.

johnny wrote:A few ideas:
This looks promising:
Foods of Chicago DVD (Free with a $75 membership pledge to WTTW television.

Having sat through two WTTW pledge nights answering phones, I can faithfully offer this small correction:

DVD only: $60 donation
Companion cookbook: $75 donation
DVD and companion cookbook: $125 donation

Regards,

Does anyone have any thoughts on a giving a ChicaGourments membership as a gift? I'm thinking of this for a friend, but am not a member myself.

On the plus side: they seem to have interesting events, there's some variety in the types of events, and the spelling of their name suits my friend (she calls everybody in the office "Chica").

Negatives? Other thoughts?

MariaTheresa wrote:Does anyone have any thoughts on a giving a ChicaGourments membership as a gift? I'm thinking of this for a friend, but am not a member myself.

ChicaGourmets is a nice group for people who are interested in gourmet wining and dining in company. Their dinners typically feature multiple courses, each matched with wine.

The food and drink are typically very good and the members are usually very pleasant people. But their events are often costly, you pay for the wine whether you drink or not, and all you get with your membership is notice about the events and a slight discount.

I don't think a membership would be a good gift unless it comes with tickets to at least one event.

Some ideas from the Reader:

Books for Cooks

Holiday gift guide for foodies

My sisters are food-lovers who have moved away from Chicago, and every holiday they get nostalgia packages from me, mainly picked up at Fox & Obel, Spice House and Foodstuffs. One of them also gets a box of marrons glaces every Christmas-- the ultimate sweet for this season, in my book. (Usually available at Fox & Obel although this year I got them by mail.) This Christmas they each got the Vosges bacon bar, an assortment of things from Spice House (lots of salts and flavored sugars this year), some Nicole's crackers, and a lot of Foodstuffs' house-made confections. Foodstuffs is a bit uneven; we like the gummy candies, chocolate cherries (especially the dark chocolate razzcherries) sweet and savory nuts, English toffee and peppermint bark. I give these things to local people too; not that many people are aware of Foodstuffs-- or care to spend the money for that stuff on themselves.

My gifts from them have included some over-the-top Balsamic vinegar, fig mostarda di Cremona or whatever that confection is called, and other fabulous condiments. I think those things are always welcome.

We give our food-loving friends wine a lot. If you have access to stuff they won't see at Binnys, that's a plus. I get some of my gift wine from Bobby, the wine guy at Cafe Lucci.

This is when I give out my sour cherries packed in booze, too.

My favorite thing about the holidays is choosing and making the food gifts!

Oh, and last year I sent everyone a few different kinds of beans from here:

http://www.ranchogordo.com/

The simple bean cooking demo on the site is worth it alone.

Oh, and this would be a great gift too I think:

http://www.minus8vinegar.com/

At least I know I would love to get it.

What about the peppemint bark at Williams Sonoma? They also have many other food related gifts. I also bought a herb snip scissors there for a gift.

If you don't mind spending a few bucks, the Bacon of the Month Club from the Grateful Palate has been a great hit w/ some friends of mine. Be aware that the shipping, however, is almost as much as the cost of the bacon !

Here's a kit for making homemade ricotta and mozzarella:

http://www.cheesemaking.com/product_inf ... id-219.php

And here's a pictorial review:

http://www.thepauperedchef.com/2007/12/ ... ing-p.html

bibi rose wrote:Oh, and last year I sent everyone a few different kinds of beans from here:

http://www.ranchogordo.com/

The simple bean cooking demo on the site is worth it alone.

Oh, and this would be a great gift too I think:

http://www.minus8vinegar.com/

At least I know I would love to get it.

I've been a fan of Rancho Gordo for a few years and had the opportunity to talk with a woman selling their beautiful wares at The Ferry Building farmer's market last October.

It's there I picked up several varieties of beans and a bag of their hominy which will find it's way into pozole come the new year.