Holiday Bites: Top 10 Edible Gift Ideas for Your Fav Foodie 2014

What to get that hard-to-please foodie?

Here are a few ways to do that, many of which support local small businesses, for budgets up to $200 ;) Some of these ideas are for curated themed items that you can pick and choose from within the set, to suit your limit!

Where deals or discounts are available, I have noted them below each product description.

You can see this year's non-edibles gift guide here.

1. Ultimate Artisanal Ice Cream Bar Stash

Put together a custom basket of handcrafted toppings that will take their ice cream game to another level. Include as many or as little of the below as you like to fit your budget.  Maybe even throw in a DIY ice cream maker so they can experiment with their own flavors at home!

• Quenelle caramelized rice + bourbon caramel

         

Chef Park's caramelized rice are like the best, most refined version of rice crispies you've ever  had, glazed with caramelized sugar but still super crunchy, light and each piece distinct, not   clumped together.  I don't normally even like toppings on my ice cream, but these are my favorite.  And, bourbon caramel will make anything taste better.

• Middlebar bourbon poached cherries 

Photo: GoodEgg.com

Local farm to glass ambassadors Middlebar takes farm fresh produce and turns them into delicious cocktail mixes and fixings, from pickled veggies to bourbon poached cherries.  The Bulleit bourbon poached cherries are my favorite: the humdrum vanilla ice cream in your freezer won't even have any idea what hit it (and why it will suddenly become the hottest commodity).

• Zoku DIY ice cream maker bowl

Photo: Williams Sonoma

This bowl lets them make their own ice cream in minutes, and serve it right in the bowl.   Just keep the inside stainless steel liner in the freezer, and when ready for a frozen treat, just place the liner into the insulated sleeve, the ice cream mix into the liner, and keep stirring til the desired consistency is reached.  Easy?!

Buy from:

• Caramelized rice & bourbon caramel: Quenelle
• Bourbon poached cherries - Middlebar ($8 at Studio City Farmers Market Sundays; $9.99 at GoodEggs.com)
• Ice cream maker bowl - Zoku at Williams Sonoma $25.95
• Ice cream scoop - Amazon $19.95 

2. For the Foie Fan Stuck in California

Photo: Dartagnan

Just because they live in a draconian state doesn't mean that you can't be their enabler by getting their favorite food shipped in from elsewhere (to be clear, the ban only applies to selling of foie within the state of California - it's totally legal to purchase from outside the state for personal consumption in CA).

Dartagnan offers a fantastic selection from medallions of duck foie with truffles, to sliced foie (for searing), to foie in prepared formats from torchon to terrine. 

Buy from: Dartagnan medallion of foie with truffles: 6 oz $14.99 / 1lb $33.99; torchon 1lb $96.99 / case of 4x 5oz $170.99

[Deal Alert: Spend $125 get 10% off, Spend $225 get 15% off through Cyber Monday 12/1. AND stack the deal: get 3.5% cash back when you go through eBates first, no minimum spend required (free to sign up!)]]

3. For the Momofuku Milk Bar / Banana + Chocolate Fan

Photo: Goldbely

Know someone who is obsessed with Momofuku?  Chef Christina Tossi's brilliant treats?

Do that have that episode of Mind of a Chef on repeat, about rotting food on purpose to impact flavor, and consider it genius?

Well now you can gift one of chef Tossi's creations, probably using that nifty rotting banana trick to get the cake tasting, well, more banana-ey.

Buy from: Goldbely $44

[Deal Alert: get $15 off your first order with this link]

4. Try the World - like Birchbox for Foodies

Photo: Try the World

There's something about coming home to a waiting package that make people happy - you've seen this turned into a successful business idea with Birch Box in the beauty space.  Now you can give food loving friends / family that same sense of surprise and delight with a gift that doesn't end with the unwrapping this holiday, with a Try the World subscription.  They will get shipped one box from a different country every 2 months, that contains 7-10 artisanal delicacies w/ card describing each product + cultural guide and recipes. 

The current box is Paris themed, and from the photos looks like it contains some classic staples from Mere Poulard cookies to fleur de sel, caramels, to Bon Maman jam, dijon mustard as well as packets of tea from one of my favorite tea brands, Les Palais des Thes. 

Yes, you can get some of these items at your local grocery or gourmet food stores if you know where to look, and I'd like to see future boxes include more items that you can't actually buy in the US - but this idea of themed boxes arriving at your door on a regular basis, filled with possible culinary surprises, is a fun one.

Buy from:  trytheworld.com  $39 per month on month-to-month subscription basis


5. For True Tea Lovers

While vacationing in Taiwan one year, we discovered a love for the Red Formosa Assam (aka 'Taiwan #18' that blends different Assam leaves) from the Sun Moon Lake region, a black tea that is so fragrant, sweet and smooth that it tastes in flavor as if cream and sugar were already added in.

As with wine, terroir and climate matters with the flavors that develop in tea leaves, and Sun Moon Lake is apparently ideal for cultivating Assam tea.

Photo: Red Blossom Tea

When we returned from the trip, we were disappointed that we were not able to get the tea easily from even well known tea purveyors.

So when we found that Red Blossom Tea, a family owned shop in San Francisco's Chinatown (who also coincidentally supplies Sons & Daughters with their teas) carries Taiwan #18, I definitely stocked up.

Photo: Ten Ren Tea

And now you can access it for tea loving friends too: Red Blossom tea also sells this incredible tea via their online store.

Check out their other more unusual offerings too, like elderflower tea!

To plus up this gift, consider adding a traditional clay tea pot and gaiwan set as well.

Buy from:


Tea: 
Red Formosa Assam: 2 oz: $20 / 4 oz: $37 
Elderflower:  4 oz: $10.50 / 8 oz: $21

Canister: $6

(slate / red)

Tea pot / gaiwan: Ten Ren Tea $129



6. For the Truffle Hound: Truffles to Make Everything Better

Photo: Ditalia

The Casina Rossa Truffle Trio Gift Pack is a perfect way to sample the famous Truffle & Salt, along side Casina Rossa's own 100% black truffle carpaccio and elegant truffle Acacia honey.

This is a perfect set to give, share or indulge in the elegant and aromatic flavor of truffles.

Photo: Williams Sonoma

White truffles, the prized gems of Italy, imbue this sea salt with exquisitely complex flavor and fragrance. Gray salt is hand harvested from the Guérande salt pan of France's Atlantic coast and blended with bits of Italian white truffles. The result is a coarse salt accented with the characteristic soft garlicky notes of white truffle--just a small pinch is all it takes to impart flavor. Sprinkle over egg dishes, corn on the cob, grilled meat or popcorn.


Buy from: 
Truffle trio: Ditalia $19.99
White truffle & grey salt: Williams Sonoma $14.95


7. For the Cheese Lover

Photo: Murray's Cheese

If they think the stinkier the cheese, the better: than spread the holiday cheer for them with this lovely Stilton crock set that includes a classic 6 oz stilton cheese in a very English styled ceramic jar, and 9 oz  pickled plums.


Buy from: Murray's Cheese $40


[Deal Alert: get 15% off with promo code: CYBER14 at check out, on Cyber Monday only.  After that, sign up for their free e-newletter to get 10% off your first order]








8. For the Nuts About Marrons Glaces

Photo: Mire Poix USA

Forget chestnuts roasting on an open fire.  The candied and glazed version (through slow immersion into hot sugar syrup to retain moisture and flavor), which dates back to 17th century France / Italy (the earliest known recorded recipe originated from Louis XIV's Versailles court), is a decadent yet refined treat that will elevate any holiday celebration.  They can be served with dessert, or alone with port or other dessert wines.


Buy from: 
Mire Poix $65
Teuscher 6 pcs $36  / 10 pcs $60 / 16 pcs $96

[Deal Alert: sign up for Mire Poix's free e-newletter to get 10% off your first order]


9. Sweets for the Sweet: Macarons

Photo: Jin Patisserie

If you are so fortunate as to live in a city with a Laduree store, let me say that you will make a sweet-toothed foodie's life if you send them a box of the insanely delicious treats.

Unfortunately as far as I know, you can't order Laduree online.  So, if you don't live on a city blessed with a Laduree store (i.e. Los Angeles), then the next best thing IMHO is Jin Patisserie's version.

Rose, jasmine, pistachio, yuzu...I haven't had a flavor I didn't like from them yet.  And, the macarons are made the Parisian way, nice and airy inside, with a crisp shell that doesn't crumble down to a sticky mess with the first bite.

Macarons are by nature delicate treats - so Jin, like Laduree, does not ship either.  But you can order for pick up from their facilities in Culver City.

Buy from: Jin Patisserie 7 pcs $14 / 14 pcs. $28 / 16 pcs. $32


10. For When the Weather Outside is Frightful

That is to say, for Californians, when it reaches the 60s, the sun is only out for a few hours at a time, and some wet stuff starts falling from the sky...(hey, everything is relative, ok?)

There's nothing more comforting and cheery than hot chocolate (whether while in your snuggie, or wrapped up in a book by the fire...to each their own).  And no easier, no mess way to do it then with Chocomize's hot chocolate on a stick spoon.  This version even has marshmallows already built in.  All you have to do is get a mug of hot milk or water, place the Chocomize into the mug, and keep stirring: and voila, hot chocolate, with marshmallows.

Pair these with a nice gold monogrammed mug for a fun and tasteful gift set that's ready to be put to use!

To plus it up even more, try pulling a set of two mugs with hot chocolate spoons into a gift basket, with a tin of Moravian Ginger Spice cookies for extra holiday flavor.


Buy from: 
Chocomize OpenSky 3 pcs starting from $11.99-$75.99
Gold monogrammed mug Williams Sonoma $9.95
Cookies Williams Sonoma $28.95



[Deal alert: for Chocomize: get 7.5% cash back when shopping at OpenSky, when you go through eBates first (free to sign up!)]


Ok I had to go 11 this year...too much good stuff.

11. For the Totally Not Bitter DIY Cocktailer / Traveling Craft Cocktailer

Photo: Hella Bitters

An example of a GREAT crowd-funded passion project, Hella Bitters' DIY products let your budding cocktail aficionado take it to the next level, and make their own custom bitters for their next stroke of brilliance creations.

The Craft Your Own Bitters Kit is a curated collection of the essential tools and starter blends for bitters-making.

Kit includes:
• Custom Machined Funnel
• Custom Fine Mesh Strainer
• 2 Infusing Jars
• 4 Dropper Bottles
• Aromatic Bitters Herb and Spice Blend
• Citrus Bitters Herb and Spice Blend

Buy from: Hella Bitters $64.95

Another awesome option for jetsetters weary of airport / in flight mixology: the Carry On Cocktail Kit.

Photo: PSFK

The travel friendly kit includes almost everything you need to mix up a good Old Fashioned.  All you need is for the stewardess (or duty free) to bring you a mini bottle of bourbon and a glass - and voila: a tasty cocktail classic while airborne.

Kit includes:

• Aromatic bitters
• Muddler/spoon
• Cane sugar packets 
• Linen coaster
• Tin
• Recipe card

Buy from: Carry On Cocktail Kit $24.00




Bonus:

For the Socially / Environmentally Responsible Foodie: Edible Greeting Cards

Do they hate waste, and live to reduce carbon footprint?

In lieu of a paper greeting card, get them one of these edible cards printed with food grade ink - they start off as eye candy, then your recipient can literally enjoy the card and leave no trace behind!

Buy from: Eat the Fine Print $9




***************


Happy gifting!!

Holiday Bites: Top 10 Gift Ideas for Your Fav Foodie 2014

It's that time of the year again - the season to show that your favorite food lovers are in your thoughts...

Here are a few ways to do that, even for hard-to-shop-for foodies, for budgets up to $300. Where deals or discounts are available, I have noted them below each product description.

Edibles version to come!

1. Cooking Tool for Gourmands Who Don't Have Time to Cook - Nomiku

Photo from Nomiku

Sous vide cooking is slow cooking by immersing food in a low temperature water bath to achieve even flavor and texture (for example, sous vide steak for even cooking, or poach eggs using this method to get them just to the edge of being cooked).  A few years ago, sous vide equipment was cost prohibitive for most home cooks, but Nomiku introduced its technology - an easy to use tool that you clip on to the side of any stock pot - and made it more affordable.

Buy from:  nomiku.com
Original: $299
Wifi version (ships March 2015, so delayed gratification gift): $199

[Deal Alert: Black Friday - Cyber Monday only deal: $100 off original Nomiku with code: CYBERNOMDAY] 


2. For the Cocktail / DIY Enthusiast - Gin / Bitters Makers Kits

Photo from Williams Sonoma site

Take craft cocktails to the next level - let them make it uniquely their own with high-quality small-batch DIY kits (and if it works out well, you could reap the benefits of this gift too :)). Transform a bottle of vodka into a custom blend of gin (two 375ml bottles!) with the requisite juniper berries, and bright notes of citrus, botanicals, aromatics and spices in 36 hours with the included recipe and instructions.

(Alcohol not included: requires one bottle of vodka.)

Buy from:  williams-sonoma.com
Gin Making Kit $54.95
Bitters DIY Kit $24.95
Bitters Bottle  $44.95


3. Julie's Kitchen Food Collages

Photo by Julie's Kitchen

Of all the food enthusiasts I follow on Instagram, Julie Lee never fails to impress with her beautiful, delicate collages made with real produce discovered at local markets (and sometimes seafood / marine findings).  

Her fine art photo prints would elevate any kitchen or dining room, especially for fans of food as an art form.  Available in sizes: 8×8, 8×10, and 12×12,

Buy from:  Julie's Kitchen $38-$58 each (custom sizes also available to order)

4. For the Sweet-toothed Cook: La Mere de Famille Parisian Confections Cookbook

Ever wondered how to make a Berlingot? (Or, even what it is?)  For those obsessed with sweets, and the Parisian: À la Mère de Famille, after 250 years in business, had released a gorgeous cookbook that is as much a delight to the eyes as to the tastebuds. 

Photo from book listing on Amazon

Transport your favorite foodie back in time and place with a old-world-made-new #foodart piece for their kitchen or even just to sweeten their bookshelf or coffee table.

Buy from: Amazon $25.30 hardcover







5. Camp Style Cooking at Home: Jaffle Iron

Photo from Food52

Do they love the feeling of cooking over an open flame?  Give them one tool that lets them toast or bake many different comfort foods at home on the fireplace or gas range: waffles + s'mores + paninis + pies = jaffle iron.

The long handle makes it easier to cook from a safe distance, or just set and leave to cook, while the round top of the iron seals and crimps the edges of whatever is baking inside (fresh pies anyone?). Made of cast iron, chrome-plated steel and wood: measures 28" long with 4.25" wide cooking head.

Buy from: Food52.com $25

6. Handcrafted Personalized Cutting Board

Photo from Uncommon Goods

Send your favorite cook something with a personal touch.

This lovely wood cutting board can be customized with name(s) of your selection hand cut into the top.

The unique and lovely design makes it great for both prepping a meal, and using it as a presentation piece (e.g. for hors d'oeuvres etc.)

Measures 16" L x 12.5" W x 1.125" H

Buy from: Uncommon Goods $155

7. For the Super Serious Wine Lover - Coravin 1000 Wine Access System

Know a wine collector who would scour the earth to find that rare bottle?  And who doesn't want to share it?  Now they can taste from pricey bottles, without removing the cork - and reseal it as if never opened to allow it to preserve...indefinitely.  

This expensive but brilliant piece of tech, invented by a medical device inventor, uses a patented non-coring, medical grade needle and precision pressure system to extract wine, allowing your favorite wine enthusiast to enjoy as much or as little as they like from the bottle, and leave the rest as if untouched, in its original bottle.  No danger of oxidation.
 

Buy from: Wine Enthusiast $299.95 + free shipping

[Deal Alert: with your purchase, get 4 free capsules from Wine Enthusiast until 12/20]


8. The Smarter Cereal Bowl

Everything seems to need to be 'smart' these days, even fashion.  But, this low-tech bowl still delivers a clever way to avoid soggy cereal: with a slotted divider, just the right angle of tilt that allows the milk to stay in its place, while cereal can be slow-spooned into it as needed to preserve that first bite crunch. 

Photo from Obol listing on Amazon

Plus, the bottom of the bowl is custom molded to be ergonomic and easy to hold while the snacker is in their usual comfy cereal feasting spot on the couch, over the computer desk or in bed.

Can also be used creatively for other food pairings like yogurt and granola (and for me I would say rice porridge and pork floss: Cantonese food lovers, you know what I'm talking about!)!

More product info: obol.co 

Buy from:  Amazon $12.95, various colors
Can also get special edition set (easy grip spoon included) for $12.99

9. Wear the Heart / Stomach On...Scented Christmas Cookie / Sweet Treats Necklaces

Photo from Tiny Hands

Love the smells of comfort and cheer emanating from the kitchen this time of year?  Let your fav baker / foodie carry that with them wherever they go with kitschy kitchen fun hand-sculpted scented food-icon necklaces including this Scented Christmas Cookie charm.

Comes with 18" sterling silver ball-chain necklace.  

Buy from: Tiny Hands $23



10. Culinary Tees - Flavour Gallery 

Photo from Flavour Gallery

Culinary expressions on everything from tees to totes to aprons and more, is what foodie fashion house Flavour Gallery is known for.

Fun / cheeky designs include "Mise en Place", "Touche Pas Mon Foie Gras", and "Surf all day, Shuck all night".

Buy from: Flavour Gallery $30








BONUS:

Stocking Stuffer for the Foodie Who Loves to Eat, Not So Much to Cook

For your favorite snarky foodie.

Buy from: Amazon $12.75












Look out for my edibles list soon! In the meantime, happy gift hunting and stay safe out there!


Hershey's 3D printer
http://money.cnn.com/2014/01/16/technology/3d-printer-c
Travelers: 10 foot power cord
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/rocketfish-10-lightning-cable-white/1498825.p?id=1219052

Holiday BItes: Edible Gift Ideas for Your Fav Foodie 2013

The foodie gifts list is always my favorite, and the most agonizing at the same time.  How to edit all the amazing stuff I love out there into one short list?  Well here goes my attempt at it.  I have here both high and lower priced options - but all $80 or under!


1. Better Than Wine Bottled Balsamic

The Giusti family has been custodian for centuries of an invaluable patrimony, the largest antique collection of rare barrels dating back to the 1600s, 1700s and 1800s. Hence, at the heart of Giusti's balsamic vinegar is the repose of the product in precious barrels infusing aromas and flavors created centuries before. Conscious of this, the Giusti family has throughout the centuries carefully maintained the collection in order to keep intact the delicate characteristics of the celebrated "Giusti bouquet of aromas." 

Buy from: Taste Arts Giuseppe Giusti Balsamic Vinegar Set $45.90



2. Birds, Bees, and Monkey Pick Teas

Honey can be amazing when it's not the mass produced, super sweet, sticky kind that comes out of a plastic bear (however cute that packaging is).  One of my favorites is a white, rare, raw organic Kiawe Honey that comes from an isolated forest on the island of Hawaii. Love the description that the Kiawe trees grow in a desert fed by an underground aquifer of fresh water that has filtered down from the volcanoes. 

This honey has an incredible creamy texture, and...you know how wine enthusiasts talk about terroir (how you can taste the climate and environment of the place where the grapes came from)?  That's how I feel about this honey - you can taste the purity and bounty of the flora in the relatively untouched Hawaiian tropics.

You can also get a great gift set of three 8 oz jars of Rare Hawaiian honeys (your choice) packed in a handscreened natural wood keepsake box, with a pair of candles made from organic beeswax.

Or, make your own 'Birds and Bees' gift basket with the honey plus Bird Pick tea in Premium Taiping Monkey’s Pick Green: I love food with a good story behind it, and this one is fun. Folklore says the name originates from the use of trained monkeys to pick tea leaves from hard-to-reach trees, in the Anhui province of China. Presumably, no one actually uses monkeys to pick this tea nowadays, but the name is still associated with the finest quality in tea. If you shop at one of their store locations, Bird Pick also offers great glass jars for their teas which would make a nice gift set with the jar of Hawaiian honey.

Buy from: Rare Hawaiian Honey White Kiawe Honey $17 Large Gift Box $80 Bird Pick Premium Taiping Monkey's Pick Green Tea $24.99

3. Money CAN now Buy Handmade Gourmet Foods from Around the Country

Ever been tortured by something you read about some amazing culinary creation from across the country, that you can't access because you don't have an upcoming trip there, don't know anyone who lives there, and/or they don't have an online shop or any plans to ship their products?

Yeah, I went through that too, many a time.  Well now a brilliant service, Goldbely, is offering the chance to get your hands on these gourmet goods in limited quantities.

Cronuts: this weekend only at cronut.goldbely.com : they will randomly issue limited amounts for purchase with free shipping!  This may be as frustrating as waiting in line in real life at Dominique Ansel's bakery though - because the cronuts are gone pretty much within split seconds of the flash sale popping up.

Other items don't make you jump through ridiculous hoops like that:  you can just order the 'traditional' way online:  like Momofuku Milk Bar's compost cookies.

Now if only they would add Laduree macarons to their list of offerings!!!!

Buy from: Goldbely $12 per tin (but over $20 for shipping to CA... :( )  Order by 12/17 for delivery by Christmas

4. Sugar & Salt Makes Everything Nice

Instead of a standard issue box of some mall-based chocolate store, check out these handcrafted salted caramels that will literally make it impossible to go back to mass produced candy ever again.

Le Caramel: Support local business, these guys are based in San Diego, but have a passion for recreating salted butter caramels, slow-cooked from a traditional french recipe handed down by the best caramel maker in Isigny, Normandy. Super soft, creamy, and well balanced between salt and sweet.  These also come in a chocolate flavor, but I liked just the Sea Salt Caramels best.

Buy from: Epicure Imports warehouse sale (last one before Christmas is Dec 20 & 21!!) if memory serves correctly, $6.25 a box, or local stores listed on Le Caramel's site.  

5. Tis the Season for Santa Barbara Sea Urchin

If you have friends who love those delicacies of the sea (*cough* *cough*), any time of year, Maruhide Uni Club has them in shippable form: fresh Santa Barbara sea urchin preserved with a kelp-based soy sauce in a delicious bottle in various flavors (my fav is the Yuzu Chili!).  Known as 'shutou' - you can buy these at their restaurant / marketplace in Torrance (and grab an awesome deal of an uni meal while there), or order online.

These shutou are served in first class on Japan Airlines as an hors d'oeuvre, so they make a perfect gift for your VIF (Very Important Foodie).

Buy from: Maruhide Uni Club in Torrance or their online store $42 for four bottles of Uni Shotou minimum when ordering online.  Can buy in single bottles at restaurant.


6. DIY Urbani Truffle Trifecta Basket for the All Day Truffle Lover

Urbani is the Tiffany's of truffles...but if like me you can't afford top of the line 'black diamonds', give the gift of truffles 'all day' with other Urbani products they can use for breakfast, lunch and/or dinner with the essence of quality truffles.  Let them start their day off right with Black Truffle Butter. 

Lunch: A trio of jars of truffle deliciousness: white truffle fondue, black truffle sauce, black truffle carpaccio - that they can add to their own favorite culinary 'canvas' from toasted baguette for dipping, over scallops, or add to polenta or their favorite pasta.

Dinner: Speaking of pasta, a perfect pairing with truffle: Urbani has super fragrant Truffle Tagliatelle (for under $20!) that your fav truffle lover can simply toss with some butter, salt and pepper to make for a luxe pasta dish.

Buy from: Urbani Black Truffle Butter $30.80 Tris of Jars $49.90 Truffle Tagliatelle $17.90 



7. For the Coffee Lovin' On the Go - The Humble Cup Single Serve Pourover Coffee

I don't usually drink coffee, much as I love the scent and taste - as I often get caffeine headaches.  However, a friend recently introduced me to The Humble Cup instant pourover coffee, which appealed to me in its ingenius design, ease of use, and that it's actually good coffee that didn't give me a headache!!  (It's single origin, not that I know enough about that to speak intelligently about it - but all my knowledgeable coffee friends love the coffee at Taza, where the whole The Humble Cup business started so...)

They come in these tear packs that you just open the top, pull out the paper wings on either side, slip them over the edge of your cup - to create a disposable, single-serve, instant pourover device.  Pour in hot water and let it drip through the paper filter into your cup, and that's it! No mess to clean up after either - just throw the whole paper device out like you would with a tea bag.

These are perfect for people who are always on the go, and not often to places where they can access good coffee.  Or just those who want a 'grab n' go' but good brew to start their day at the office.

(These were lifesavers on our recent trip to Vegas - a place where amazing food, but not amazing coffee, abound.)

*Full disclosure: The owner of Taza Coffeehouse is a friend. 

Buy from: Taza Coffeehouse in Arcadia, $15 for pack of 5 (from a variety of origins including Costa Rica, El Savador...) or $20 for pack of 12.

This is just a start.  Got any cool edible gift suggestions? Send 'em my way or post in the comments!

Separate post on more durable gift ideas here!

Holiday Bites: Top 10 Gift Ideas for Your Fav Foodie 2013

Happy Black Friday! While the deal chaser in me is tempted to brave the crowds, the other part of me that likes to give more unique gifts than what you can find at the local mall would rather focus on scouting the best gift ideas from my couch.

So here they are, my picks for your fav foodie in your life this holiday... (edibles to come in separate post). There are options at various price ranges, but I upped the self-imposed upper limit this year to $250 as there were some things that were too cool not to include!  Where deals are available, they are noted under each product listing.

Happy holiday shopping!

1. For the Baker and Egg White Hater: Yolk Separator 

Yes, you did first see the idea for this in that video with the water bottle (and using suction to separate an egg yolk from egg white).  This is that idea come to life in a way more stylish and giftable form.

As someone who'd rather have an all egg yolk scramble anyday than a bland, boring egg white one - I think this lightbulb-shaped gadget is a brilliant idea.  I don't cook much if at all (though I do find creme brulee super fun to make), but these Yolkrs are so fun looking and seemingly easy to use, I kind of want to find more things to cook/bake just so I can justify buying one of these...

And btw, love that this product was a Kickstarter project that met its goals, so apparently enough people thought it was a good idea too, that it got the funding to move forward!

Check out the video...



Actually, put 1 or 2 of these in a gift basket with a creme brulee torch and/or ramekin set and your foodie friend just may become your BFF :)

Buy from: Yolkr £18 (~$24.50 USD)

2. For the Food Pornographer: iZZi Orbit Rotating Lenses for iPhones

Friends don't let friends take bad foodporn.  Trick out their iPhone with pro-grade, rotating lenses that will help them take better shots.

The Orbit 5 iPhone case features 4 different camera lenses: 

• 180-degree fish-eye lens
• 0.67x wide-angle lens
• 2x telephoto lens
• macro lens (located under wide-angle lens)

The case is also made of aircraft-grade aluminum so it's  lightweight and sturdy!

This one is also launched by a successful Kickstarter campaign - love crowdfunding that allow good ideas to get to market!

Buy from iZZi Gadgets $239.99

[Deal Alert: BOGO Orbit 5 on Black Friday between 6am-6pm PST, or save $50 on one from 6pm-midnight PST]

3. Flask Bangle by Cynthia Rowley

Yes, you read that right. It's genius, really.  Style meets function for those who don't have time for Happy Hour, but bring Happy Hour with them everywhere they go.  This one is totally out of the regular budget but is just so cool that I had to include it on the list.

Buy from: CynthiaRowley.com $225

4. For the Forgetful Foodie: Rococo Chalkboard Decal

Beautifully designed decal beats post-it notes or messy notepaper tacked on their fridge with magnets. Chalk included and the decal is removable and reusable!

Buy at OpenSky $36

[Deal alert: $28.80 sale price if you buy by 12/2]

5. Food + Art + Info Fans

Know someone who loves food, art and infographics? Combine all three in one perfect gift with these awesome prints featuring fun and informative designs covering everything from cheese to varieties of fruit to martinis!

Buy from: Pop Chart Labs $28 print only / $73 print mounted on panel (options for hanging rail or framed available as well at higher prices)

6. For the Foodart Fan: Salvador Dali Cookbook

The charismatic/enigmatic artist...was also a chef?!!?

Makes sense as food can be like art that appeals to more senses than visual, presents more of a challenge to control many 'live' variables, and can also create deep emotional connections / responses.

[Apparently Michael Voltaggio hosted a dinner at ink. one NYE inspired by this book, which I will be eternally sad that I missed!]

Buy from Amazon $140 for hardcover

[Deal Alert: Get $25 statement credit when you spend $75 or more at Amazon: just sync your American Express card to your Twitter account, then tweet out @AmericanExpress with #AmexAmazon to enroll in the offer.  See Amex terms and conditions for details here.]

7. Dominique Ansel Cookbook

From the super creative inventor of Cronuts (in case you've been living under a rock: that ingenius mashup of croissants and donuts which caused a frenzy of hours long queues at his shop in NYC) and magic frozen s'mores...Chef Dominique Ansel's first cookbook. It's not releasing til October 2014 - but like Cronut-fever, the book has already commanded 'lines down the block' with pre-orders already being taken a little less than a year out from release.  For those who don't live in NYC or can't spend hours in line for a chance to taste the now infamous original cronut...maybe the recipe and DIY route may be easier once the cookbook is out.

Pre-order now from Amazon $12.74 on Kindle

8. For Foodies Who Appreciate the Beauty of Seafood Marine Life On or Off The Plate

Sea urchins are a bit of an obsession lately...and this extends to their beautiful form, captured here in lovely serving bowls.

Buy from Michael Aram $59

9.  For the Easily Bored: AdNArt Flavour It Water Infusion Bottles

I.hate.water. It's a necessary part of life, yes, but I don't actually enjoy drinking it - it has no flavor!  So I was excited to see these infusion bottles - perfect for gifting to SoCal residents, who are blessed with amazing farmers markets.  So they can fill the infuser with the latest organic, seasonal, farm-fresh fruits and/or veggies and make their water taste good and deliver healthy vitamins, antioxidants etc. etc. And change it up whenever they want.

Love that this version is made of glass as well, so no worries about any flavors lingering in the plastic...and it also means this bottle can withstand hot or cold fill.

Buy from Amazon $13.05

10. For the Impatient Wine Lover: Corksicle

For those who (maybe have had a really long day and) can't wait for their wine to chill out. This is basically an icicle-shaped freeze gel rod attached to a cork, that they can keep in the freezer and when needed, simply stick into their wine bottle when they want cool wine, fast.

Buy from Amazon $24.95 (Prime eligible)



Daydreaming / If Money Were No Object...

Cirrus Ice Ball Maker

For cocktail / spirits connoisseurs.  You've seen all the A-list bartenders / bar chefs do it: use one giant ice cube / sphere vs. the traditional multiple ice cubes: the better to chill the drink without diluting it.

This kit makes it simple for your fav cocktail / spirits fan to make a pro-grade drink at home without having to get a 'lake ice' making machine and chainsaw.

• Press produces one perfectly formed ice sphere at a time.
• Small press makes 2" diameter ice sphere

Kit includes:

• Cirrus ice ball press.
• Drip tray.
• 3 cup molds.
• Tongs.
• Premium die-cut storage and travel case.

Buy from Williams-Sonoma $699.95 for small set


Have fun, and good luck with the holiday shopping!