Special Gift For Foodie

Parent Cafe
1

<p>Inspired by the bacon and cocktails, I’m looking for a present for DH, the ultimate foodie. He cooks, makes ice cream, searches out food events and loves good cookbooks. Also interested in cocktail making, almost at a scientific level.</p>

<p>I’m just out if ideas. Have the basic kitchen stuff he wants (yet open to something unusual), good blenders and machines of all sorts (no sous vide, anyone like these?) and just about everything I can think of.</p>

<p>So any help with anything a foodie would love would be much appreciated. Big and small. An unusual mail order food? A foodie weekend?</p>

2

<p>For great mail order, try Zingermans. They have a bacon of the month club. And a cheese club. Saveur magazine subscription. Exotic peppercorns and mill (Penzeys). There where some good ideas in Nov or Dec Bon Appetit too. Or maybe it was Saveur. I’ll check.</p>

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<p>Does he have a wine aerator? They make a good glass of wine fabulous and a cheaper wine taste so much better.</p>

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<p>[Wine</a> Lover Gifts | Wine T-Shirts | Wine Glasses | Wine Gift Baskets & more!](<a href=“http://winesnobgifts.com/]Wine”>http://winesnobgifts.com/)</p>

<p>Ever checked out this company?</p>

5

<p>Would he like something like this?</p>

<p>[Amazon.com:</a> The Joy of Mixology: The Consummate Guide to the Bartender’s Craft (9780609608845): Gary Regan: Books](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/Joy-Mixology-Consummate-Guide-Bartenders/dp/0609608843/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1291296976&sr=8-4]Amazon.com:”>http://www.amazon.com/Joy-Mixology-Consummate-Guide-Bartenders/dp/0609608843/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1291296976&sr=8-4)</p>

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<p>My BF is a foodie too. He’s also gotten into brewing beer (at a scientific level). It’s quite funny. They figure out all the scientific figures for each and every batch and supposedly come out tasting perfect. He said you can even major in beer making. I never would have known that. He also likes to garden. I got him a book on gardening beer ingredients. It gives instructions on growing your own hops and whatnot… it also gives you all kinds of beer recipes that use herbs out of your garden and stuff. It gives you a big list of herbs and tells you how you can add them to your brews to adjust the flavor. I thought it was an interesting book so I’m sure he’ll love it.</p>

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<p>A pastry class? My cousin did that for her foodie husband once and he loved it. She had to ask him to arrange for the time off work, but she didn’t tell him why. He spent a week making croissants and other tasty things. It was pricey but a very successful gift.</p>

8

<p>The CIA does amazing “boot camp” classes similar to what Calreader mentions, but ranging over wine, pastry, basic knife techniques, and more. You can buy a gift certificate and let him choose the camp, or sign him up yourself. </p>

<p>[CIA</a> Cooking Classes and Culinary Vacations in NY, CA, TX-The Culinary Institute of America](<a href=“http://www.ciachef.edu/enthusiasts/bootcamps/]CIA”>http://www.ciachef.edu/enthusiasts/bootcamps/)</p>

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<p>I second, third, fourth the idea of tasting or cooking classes. They are a lot of fun and can even be useful. If he doesn’t have a subscription to <a href=“Error”>Error; he might enjoy that as well.</p>

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<p>I think it’s either Wednesdays or Thursdays the NY Times showcases a specialty cocktail that NY bartenders have either invented or reinvented…some of them sound really tasty. Maybe he’d like all the ingredients (based on his and your preferences) to make one?</p>

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<p>I’m a foodie too and I will jump on the bandwagon of some sort of cooking classes (perhaps in Tuscany :)? ). Also love your idea of a foodie weekend. Where do you live?</p>

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<p>Really good balsamic vinegar. The kind the gourmet store keeps under lock-and-key. Seriously. I have a three-ounce bottle that an Italian friend gave me–cost was over $100. It’s absolutely amazing. And just a drop or two makes a huge difference, so it lasts a LONG time.</p>

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<p>Also, gift certificate for Penzey’s spices. [Penzeys</a> Spices Home Page](<a href=“http://www.Penzeys.com%5DPenzeys”>http://www.Penzeys.com)</p>

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<p>I was going to say, “Penzey’s Spices!” dmd, we’ve got great minds! :)</p>

<p>Wine aerator is a good idea. I like this brand (functional and stylish):</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.vinturi.com/[/url]”>http://www.vinturi.com/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>I love Cook’s Illustrated magazine for recommendations on everything from cookware, coffee machines, appliances, tools, spices and other pantry ingredients (like olive oil etc.) I believe you can sign up for the online version and then have access to their archives. Loads of info. There are also great recipes in every issue - the magazine itself makes a great gift.</p>

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<p>“I was going to say, “Penzey’s Spices!” dmd, we’ve got great minds!”</p>

<p>Hey! I mentioned Penzeys first!</p>

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<p>Thanks for all the great suggestions!</p>

<p>I especially like the idea of cooking classes somewhere fun. Years ago we did one in Amalifi which was fun but not great. It was mostly demonstrations and eating, less cooking. Anyone know of any good ones?</p>

<p>As for Penzeys, we’re big fans, but also very spoiled to have one practically in our backyard, so it’s our go to spice store. I’m always looking for interesting spices, and he will be getting this one as a stocking stuffer which may be of interest if you like food hot:</p>

<p>[FOOD</a> STUFF - A Little Candy Makes the Heat More Bearable - NYTimes.com](<a href=“Extremely Hot Peppers - The New York Times”>Extremely Hot Peppers - The New York Times)</p>

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<p>December Saveur ( <a href=“http://www.saveur.com/in_this_issue.jsp?issueId=201009[/url]”>http://www.saveur.com/in_this_issue.jsp?issueId=201009&lt;/a&gt; ) did a review of this and really liked it.</p>

<p>[Amazon.com:</a> Keys to Good Cooking: A Guide to Making the Best of Foods and Recipes (9781594202681): Harold McGee: Books](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/Keys-Good-Cooking-Making-Recipes/dp/1594202680/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1291423965&sr=1-1]Amazon.com:”>http://www.amazon.com/Keys-Good-Cooking-Making-Recipes/dp/1594202680/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1291423965&sr=1-1)</p>

<p>They also liked</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.calvisiuscaviar.com/[/url]”>http://www.calvisiuscaviar.com/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Check out what’s available through a charity auction!!!
<a href=“http://www.charitybuzz.com/auctions/saveur/catalog_items[/url]”>http://www.charitybuzz.com/auctions/saveur/catalog_items&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Saveur “market”</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.saveur.com/market.jsp[/url]”>http://www.saveur.com/market.jsp&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>Thanks for the idea for the wine aerator, BB!! I found that brand on Amazon…one for red, one for white, one day shipping!! :slight_smile: I know MY family will be happy! And you are right, they are beautiful.</p>

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<p>Flavored olive oils.</p>

<p>[Welcome</a> to A Taste of Olive.](<a href=“http://www.atasteofolive.com/]Welcome”>http://www.atasteofolive.com/)</p>

<p>If you live anywhere near Phila. pa, you have to stop in and check these out in person. The truffle olive oils are nothing short of amazing but then again so are many others</p>