Presents of Greatness for the Foodie
There are tons of gifts that you can find for your home chef in a Sur la Table or Williams Sonoma catalog, and at a wide range of price points. Here are some creative gifts that you might not have thought of.
For my sister’s rustic country kitchen, I bought this charming paper towel holder, $21.95. In bright red glossy enamel over cast iron, it allows you to quickly and neatly grab a paper towel with one hand when you’re cooking. Every kitchen should have one of these, and the weight of this piece makes it convenient and highly functional. The rooster in the kitchen is said to bring good luck, and I believe that it really must, because dinner at her house is always delicious.
The adorable Michael Aram marble cheeseboard and playful cheese knife above is another gift that I bought for my sis, who enjoys entertaining guests. I loved it so much that I got one for myself. It’s even cuter in person!
I love my handmade 12-inch salt and pepper mills carved by the very talented Bruce Morgan. You may have seen these mills on TV cooking shows and in magazines like Sunset and Gourmet.
Using rare materials such as Honduran rosewood burl, above, Bruce fashions salt and pepper mills like no other and his mills come with a lifetime guarantee. Every mill is signed, and since he uses the best stainless steel grinding mechanisms, these glossy objets d’art are as functional as they are beautiful. They’re what I like to call a lifetime present, and something that will not be forgotten.
The prices range from $100 for the more common woods, up to $1,300 for a pair of stunning snakewood mills, below.
Alternately, you can always buy a matching set of Peugeot lacquered mills from Sur la Table for $49.95, which would still be a lovely gift, especially if you pair them with some exotic peppercorns and sea salts.
Bruce is a connoisseur of condiments, and he knows all the varieties of peppers and salts in the world. He told me an interesting fact: sea salts all look very different but usually taste quite similar. Conversely, peppercorns can look the same but there is a big difference in the taste. Why not buy a sampler pack for your foodie?
You can call Bruce at 425.391.2430 for more information or find him at pepper-passion.com.
When shopping for your foodie, there is a veritable feast of appropriate options at all price points. Spatulas, oven mitts, aprons–they’re all great choices, and who wouldn’t welcome a Vitamix 1710 under the Christmas tree? Let your imagination run wild, and have fun shopping!
