So, my little sugarplums, it's time to get up off your lazy {insert body part here} and start shopping for Christmas already! Everyone else is almost finished, did you know that? Well, they are and the rest of us are just losers who've never overcome our tendency to procrastinate--and for that, we must pay the expedited shipping charges. Fortunately for you, I've been thinking for you and have compiled a list that will get you off to a clicking good start.
For the granddaddy of all gift lists, however, you must see Josh Friedland's annual round-up of gift lists (yes, that would be a list of lists) at The Food Section. "Comprehensive" comprehensively fails to describe how thorough that particular list is.
Below you'll find my own short-list of Christmas wishes. Some are things I already own and therefore qualify as recommendations (those are the ones with asterisks), and others are coveted items I'm still yearning for:
Nigella Lawson's housewares are even sexier than Nigella herself, and her *simple measuring spoons actually shaped like spoons are not only accurate but a design original. Go ahead and throw in her measuring cups shaped like teacups for good measure, you know I (oops, I mean, your beloved cook) wants them.
Really great olive oil can make a dish. The bad stuff can break it. *Alziari extra virgin olive oil from Nice is soft and buttery, enhancing both salads and sturdier stuff like meats and seafood. Pair it with a decent *balsamic (this one is an affordable blend of new and aged vinegars) and the chef will be sure to kiss you. Frequently.
I love me some gadgets and my new favorite is this *mango slitter by Oxo. Bring a little exotic fruitiness on a regular basis into your favorite cook's life because this thing really and truly works.
Don't you want to try that No-Knead Bread recipe? Well, you'll need the Le Creuset Round French Oven to make sure you get it right. In basic black, of course.
Be the best guest you can be and bring an Eggling with you instead of a bottle of wine. Now, how did you get so thoughtful?
Lovely and functional (and isn't that a nice combination?), MOMA's Lemon Squeezer is so cool, you might just want to leave it out on the counter and let everyone try to guess what it is.
I admit it, I want to be redolant of my favorite treat and Chocolat by Masaki Matsushima lets me waft cocoa in my wake without getting all sticky.
And speaking of chocolate, Vosges makes some of the most exciting,
imaginative chocolate truffles you can find. And with a chocolate
named Woolloomoolloo, how can you go wrong?
For the youngest of chefs, My Bento Box Toy Sushi Box along the First Book of Sushi board book will make you feel like your doing your part to educate the next generation.
For older kids and particularly discerning adults, Plastica's Bento Box is the coolest lunch box around. Fill it with assorted candies from the nearest Asian market.
I want candy--for grown-ups. Get Verithé tea lollipops for the grown-up chef in your life.
Who wouldn't want a dozen basic chef's aprons? The fancy ones just get dirty.
Aren't you sick of spattered cookbooks that flop closed at the least opportune moment? I'm sure your favorite cook does too, so ease the frustration with a well-designed cookbook stand. It looks great even without the new Jamie Oliver book inside of it.
Other suggestions: Everyone wants to wield a knife like professional and Sur La Table will teach you how in one of their knife classes. Precisely square ice cubes can be achieved with this ice cube tray, hostesses love guests bearing gifts like this beautifully wrapped, culinary-themed soap, and for another gadget that works, try Mario Batali's Silicone Pastry Brush (no more stray bristles and it goes right into the dishwasher). My favorite, and a dream destined to remain unfulfilled, is a subscription to the z club, twelve months of brand-new, sometimes unfamiliar, but always exciting food finds chosen by the culinary mavens of Ann Arbor's Zingerman's.
Happy shopping!
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