by Lauren Townsend for The Aha! Connection
Do you have a foodie friend? I’ve found that just because someone likes to eat, doesn’t mean that they like to cook. Technically the term foodie doesn’t refer to someone who likes to cook, only eat, which I enjoy doing both. I’ve put together some gift suggestions for your friends and family that like to eat OR cook. This is part 1…foodies.
- Start local with your holiday shopping and impress them with one of E. 48th Street Deli’s coveted party platters. The Italian is a party hit (or a giant gourmet lunchable for 1 depending one who you are buying for) with “delicious, thinly sliced Italian meat assortment, tastefully arranged. Genoa salami, capicola, prosciutto, sopressata and provolone.” You want to order early and you’ll probably have to wait in line, but WORTH IT. (Serves 8-12; $47, Serves 15-20; $70)
- My husband went to The French Culinary Institute in New York and has always been a chocolate snob. Pastry Chef Jacques Torres crafted the pastry program at that school and has always been Lynn’s favorite. Jacques has recently become popular with the other members of my family because of his role on the Netflix series, Nailed It. Mr. Chocolate’s chocolates and gifts are not cheap, but they are perfection. If you are looking for gourmet gift for a chocolate lover, this is it.
- Do you like fruitcake? Yeah, me neither. BUT, if you know someone who does, Collin Street Bakery is the only acceptable place to buy one. This little bakery in Corsicana, Texas has been around for 122 years and is known around the world for their deluxe fruit cake. The tin is clearly identifiable to anyone who is a fan. nowadays, I buy my mom the fruitcake petites because I don’t want a fruitcake hanging out at my house, but I would wow the fruitcake person in your family with one of these.
- I don’t know if would survive a trip to NYC without stopping in at Eataly. I wish I could just stay there and wake up there and eat all day and then go back to bed. If you claim to be a foodie, then Eataly is your heaven. All the gift collections are so incredible, but you could start at the Taste of Eataly. “Reflecting the heart of Italian cooking, our iconic products are made with the highest quality ingredients that are carefully sourced from regional farmers across Italy. Down to the fine Sicilian sea salt, this gift box provides all of the staples for a traditional, all-natural meal in Italy.”
- Do you know someone who is gluten-free? You’d know if they are. Then you’ve also probably heard that GOOD treats are rare. Gluten-free offerings have come a long way in 10 years, but none come close to local bakery, Hell Yeah Gluten Free, in my opinion. A cake, cupcakes, donut or pop-tart will bring your GF friend pure joy. (Audra agrees – I brought her a warm yummy pastry and I thought she was going to die from happiness!)
- I love Sriracha, or most Asian hot sauces in general. I love for my food to have a little kick. If you know someone who also won’t shut up about how things need more flavor, a Sriracha key chain is for them.
If you want something a little more special or uncommon, try Momofuku Spicy Ssäm Korean Chilli Sauce. It is good on everything from pizza to fried chicken to ramen, also potato chips and popcorn. I’ll stop.
- Food Art. Our house is full of random “art.” I mean, there is some actual art, but I like to switch it up randomly especially with the seasons. Right now we have a couch-long rendering of Randy Quaid emptying his RV toilet and a framed drawing of Kevin McCallister’s battle plan map, so take the term art with a grain of salt. I love framed menus and quirky food print for the kitchen. Link for Botanical – Link for Vegan
- We always get food related ornaments. 9 or 10 years ago I would have found it annoying but now I LOVE IT! We have everything from a taco truck to a cotton candy machine and I love unwrapping each of them every year. A true foodie will love your holiday homage to their recreational eating.
- Murray’s Cheese Cheese of the Month Club. I love cheese. My very first culinary job during/after culinary school was a cheese buyer for Whole Foods and I learned so much. Murray’s Cheese is top tier and nothing would make the foodie in your life happier than receiving a box of gourmet cheese every.single.month.
- Memorable dining experience. This year for my birthday, our best friends took us to Gunshow and it was the best gift. It was an awesome culinary experience, but it was time with some of my most favorite people with laughs and cocktails and so much food and of course, a bizarre Uber ride home. Consider sharing a meal they won’t forget. It could be something as fun as sneaking into a fun speakeasy like Eleanor’s or Red Phone Booth, as simple as sharing the dong po pork at Masterpiece or as extravagant as taking me, I mean someone, to the $185 14-course, two-and-a-half-hour honkaku (authentic) omakase (a Japanese feast in which the diner lets the chef steer) at Sushi Hayakawa (this was apparently Foodie Patty’s Fave Restaurant). Even a gift card to a local gem like McKendrick’s, Alon’s, Novo Cucina or Marlow’s Tavern is a considerate splurge. Don’t forget that Marlow’s has a current gift card special and an amazing giveaway this week:
