It’s that time of the year again; we aimlessly head to the malls and local shops to find the perfect gifts for the people we love. If you need a little inspiration for the food obsessed, wannabe chef or amateur gourmet on your list, look no further. Sure to please people of different skill levels and ideas for every budget….Happy Holidays!!
Cookbooks – A good cookbook collection is essential to anyone who enjoys spending their time in the kitchen. While there are thousands upon thousands to choose from, some that we’ve referred to for inspiration this year include: Thomas Keller’s Ad Hoc, Plenty by Yotam Ottolenghi, Flour from Joanne Chang and Ancient Grains for Modern meals by Maria Speck, the last two by local Bostonians. Looking for more inspiration? We find that the Brookline Booksmith has a great selection of cookbooks.
A Good Chef’s Knife – The most important thing a chef can have is a good chef’s knife. If you’re going to buy one, be sure not to skimp on it. We both use Wusthofbrand knifes but also really like Shun and Global knives.
Spice Grinder– Buying spices whole, toasting them up and grinding them is the key to maximizing flavors. A spice grinder, or a simple coffee grinder that will be designated for spice grinding along with a gift certificate toPenzey’s, a spice shop in Arlington, is a perfect gift for the home cook that’s looking to turn up the flavor in their recipes.
Pizza Stone – Good homemade pizza can be a tricky thing to achieve if you don’t have a pizza stone. Helping to harness the heat and create a nice crispy crust and a chewy center, it brings a homemade pizza party to the next level.
Blender/Food Processor/Immersion Blender – We find that most people don’t actually have one of these, which is something that vastly limits their cooking. Aside from the obvious margarita making, a blender can help make soups creamier and marinades a snap to pull together. A Processor is the key to making smooth dips and pie dough come together quickly and an Immersion blender is an easy way to quickly puree soups without dirtying up another pan.
Dutch Oven – To us, colder weather was meant for hearty soups, stews or braises. To cook them properly, you’ll need a good quality, heavy Dutch Oven to help distribute heat evenly during the cooking process. We recommend anything by Le Creuset, but also find that there are some more affordable options as well, like the one fromTramontina or Mario Batali.
A Homemade Gift Basket From Trader Joes – The best gifts are homemade, right? Why not head to the newly larger Coolidge Corner Trader Joe’s to pick out a bunch of holiday goodies. From cheese and crackers, wine to cookies, Chai tea and chocolates, a quick stop here will help you put together your own personalized holiday gift basket. For extra fun, you could attach a gift card to the package so that your recipient can stop back in to pick up their favorites.
Cake Decorating Set – Does someone on your holiday list love to bake? Maybe it’s time they take their passion and skills to the next level and learn how to professionally decorate their baked goods. A professional pastry kit, complete with tips and bags can easily be found at Sur La Table located in the Chestnut Hill Mall. Think your pastry chef needs some help learning the ropes? Get a book to accompany the tools to help show them the way.
Serving Plates – The cook in your life just slaved away in the kitchen for hours creating a stellar dish. Shouldn’t he/she have something nice to serve it on? Basic white dishes usually work best for platters and serving dishes. Found in a variety of shapes and sizes, these sort of plates ensure that the food is the focus. We’ve found thatChina Fair, located both in Cambridge and in Newton, are great spots to get a good deal on serving platters.
Gift Certificate to a Restaurant/Sur la Table, Williams Sonoma – When in doubt, a gift certificate is always a great gift. Restaurant gift certificates are the obvious, and with good reason. Who doesn’t enjoy a free night out? Locally, we find that The Fireplace, Lineage and Cognac Bistro would be great options. Additionally, gift certificates to Williams Sonoma, Sur La Table and Brookline Booksmith all make great choices.
Gift Certificate to a cooking class– If you’re looking to change things up a bit, a gift certificate for a cooking class also makes the perfect gift for the budding foodie or for someone that wants to hone their skills a bit. The Cambridge School of Culinary Arts (where we went to school) and The Boston Center for Adult Education(where we teach) offers gift certificates where the chef in your life can get a feel for learning their way around a professional kitchen. Or better yet, The Skinny Beet offers gift certificates that can be purchased for in-home classes and demonstrations where someone can learn in the comforts of their own home.
The Skinny Beet. A native Bostonian, Richard Chudy graduated from the Professional Chef’s Program at the Cambridge School of Culinary Arts in 2007 and started a private chef business. When he’s not busy in the kitchen, he runs Boston Burger Blog, his ongoing quest for the perfect burger in Boston. Katie started her blog, The Small Boston Kitchen, in December of 2009 as a way to document her hours spent in the kitchen, as well as her eating adventures throughout the Greater Boston area. In January 2011, Katie attended the Cambridge School of Culinary Arts, where she received her Culinary Certificate. Katie co-owns a personal chef and catering business, The Skinny Beet
