food
CulturePOP Gift Guide: Food

December 16, 2010

The final answer to the age-old question of what to get the person who has everything? The same thing you get the person who has nothing, actually. Specific selections might vary, of course, but you can’t go wrong appealing to their taste buds. Bloggers Chrystal Baker and Amir Thomas of The Duo Dishes discuss the finer points of giving tasteful food gifts and share their top picks.

the duo dishes’ picks

Cupcake Cuties
Each of these cupcake-decorating kits comes with everything you need to create a batch of one of the 32 available designs, from the realistic-looking sushi roll to the not-so-dry martini to the itty-bitty wedding cake.

Why it POPs: They’re the perfect little stocking stuffer for kids who are into baking, or someone who throws theme parties — I love the box-of-popcorn cupcake for an Oscar-night treat.

Get it: CupcakeCuties.com, $19.99-23.99

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Espresso Set
Student design contest winner Fellina Sok-Cham created this bamboo tray that breaks down into six slide-out saucers, each with its own porcelain cup and embedded spoon.

Why it POPs: “The funky insets fit together like a puzzle; it’s dainty yet practical and perfect for any caffeine-adoring friend.”

Get it: MOMAstore.org, $48

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Cowgirl Creamery Best of the West
This small operation an hour north of San Francisco makes just seven of its own handcrafted cheeses, but distributes from 60 other artisan producers. In this collection: Over two pounds, including Devil’s Gulch (a pepper-dusted winter cow’s milk), Crater Lake Blue from Oregon, a goat cheese with a ribbon of vegetable ash called Humboldt Fog, and the cheddar-like Flagship Reserve.

Why it POPs: “It’s an artisan line with nice piquant flavors people might not be familiar with — a great holiday party starter piece to get people talking around the table.”

Get it: CowgirlCreamery.com, $78

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Scribble Nesting Bowls
Once everything is in its place, your favorite gourmand can really get cooking. This set of three nested clay bowls is hand-thrown on a potter’s wheel, so no two are exactly alike.

Why it POPs: “My favorite thing about these is the warm colors; the palette really got me. In addition to being space savers, they’re hand-made in an environmentally friendly way, in a kiln powered by renewable energy and with lead-free glaze on the interior.”

Get it: BranchHome.com, $148

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Le Creuset 5.5-Quart Round Dutch Oven
Also called a French oven, this cast iron staple is prized for its durability, heat retention, and distribution (not to mention for being a member of the Le Creuset set created for Oprah’s “Favorite Things” episode this year).

Why it POPs: “Ask almost any cook if they have a Le Creuset piece on their wish list, and you will probably receive an emphatic ‘Yes!’ Like all their cast iron, this pot comes in a rainbow of colors to match any kitchen décor.”

Get it: Cooking.com, $234.95

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CP: What do you love about giving food as a gift?

AT: It’s a very personalized gift — you’re literally catering to the person, showing that you really pay attention to their taste and what they like.

CB: Food is one of those common, enjoyable aspects of life that we all share. We love food, so it’s a little piece of us that we give to someone else, to open their mind and let them try something new. Food is also something that’s enjoyed with others, so giving it encourages the person to share and explore with other people.

CP: Any shopping advice?

CB: Pick something that’s not too perishable. These are food-heavy holidays — people get tons of stuff, and there are parties galore. So it’s nice to give something that can hang out for a couple weeks until after things have died down. Something a little outside the box, with unusual flavors or textures — something fun that they might be hesitant to try on their own.
AT: Consider mixing and matching things to put together your own personalized basket and show that extra level of individuality. Choose items that are always nice and everyone uses, like an oil or a flavored coffee. Or you can make your own dip, for example, and do something as simple as putting a ribbon on it to give it that special touch.

CP: How about kitchenware—what are your best bets when you don’t know what the foodie in your life already has?

CB: You can never have enough things to put other things in, like beautifully decorated mortar-and-pestles, or pretty bowls that you can either hide away or keep on your countertop to add color and layers to your kitchen. And people always squeal over little trinkets like accordion-style pop-out measuring cups or citrus squeezers or funky vintage can openers.

AT: Every year, specialty stores come out with some new gadget, like a mango slicer or whatever the hot, trendy item is that season. Sure, it only has that one purpose, but it’s fun, and not too expensive, and something that most people don’t already have. It’s these new additions to their kitchen that people get really excited about.

Melissa Daly is a freelance writer in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. She has (quite literally) taught classes in underwater basket-weaving, and dabbles in the art of photography, architectural drafting, and cookie design (occasionally all at once).

Images: Cupcake sushi: Courtesy of Cupcakes Cuties; Espresso set: Courtesy of MoMA Design Store / MoMAstore.org; Cheese plate: Courtesy of Cowgirl Creamery; Nesting bowls: Courtesy of www.BranchHome.com;
French oven: Courtesy of Le Creuset