20 gift ideas for the foodie on your holiday list
Hurting for ideas as Christmas nears? Lesley Chesterman suggests 20 food-related presents for a range of appetites and budgets
Shopping season can cause some to reach for that extra-stiff eggnog. The idea that the holidays are a crass commercial cash grab doesn’t feel so off the mark when you’re rushing out to spend big, buying friends and loved ones gifts to ram under the tree in time for Dec. 25. Choose unwisely, and that well-intentioned gift goes unused or, worse yet, gets re-gifted. Yet a practical gift can be welcome, even cherished — foodrelated ones especially so.
To help you choose, I have 20 gift suggestions at a wide range of price points for that special someone who loves to eat, drink or cook, or needs a shiny new pan to inspire them to get sautéing.
The sheer variety of foodie gift options is dizzying, and to this list you could easily add gift certificates for favourite restaurants — or how about a cooking class, a wine class or culinary demonstrations? I prefer to keep my gift-buying as local as possible, heading out to my favourite kitchenware and homeware shops, like Arthur Quentin, Quincaillerie Dante and Les Touilleurs, or bakeries like Hof Kelsten or a gorgeous new chocolate shop like Noir.
The criteria for the gifts below are that they are items I love, use myself and would recommend in a heartbeat. Yes, some are pricey, but when it comes to kitchen tools, pricier items tend to last longer. Life is too short for a drawer full of flimsy kitchen gadgets! (A note about prices: in some cases I’ve used the word “about” because the prices vary depending on the store or website.)
Holidays aside, I would recommend any of these items for any gift — and that includes a gift for yourself. Most of them are widely available, save perhaps for the handmade food items, which may be running short by the end of the week — so don’t leave those ones to the last minute!
FOR THE GLUTEN-FREE FRIEND
Nutbrown Fourmi Bionique granola, $5.59/180 g
I’ve long been a fan of this delicious granola, which is made in Montreal — and how great that they’ve launched a gluten-free/ grain-free line made with ovenroasted nuts and seeds. So many granolas are either rancid or too sweet, but these three flavours are fresh-tasting and well balanced. Ideal for morning cereal or snacking. Beware: it’s addictive!
Available at most supermarkets and lafourmibionique.com.
FOR THE CHOCOLATE LOVER
Noir chocolaterie gift box, starting at $3.50
This chic, year-old Plateau shop sells some of the prettiest and best chocolates in town. Favourites include caramels, passion-fruitfilled chocolate bars, Turtle-like clusters, truffles, marshmallows, tiny gingerbread men and chocolate-covered pretzels. You can purchase single packets (great stocking stuffers!) or, better yet, customize a gift box.
Available at Noir, 4475 Marquette St., noirchocolat.ca.
Chocolate panettone, $29 (500 g) and $48 (1 kg)
Arguably the most sought-after food item in Montreal at Christmas, Hof Kelsten baker Jeffrey Finkelstein’s panettone is the lightest and most intensely flavoured on which you’ve ever set eyes or lips. Eat it for Christmas breakfast, for snacking by the fireplace, or for dessert (with a scoop of ice cream!). This sweet bread is also sold in a candied fruit version. Not always available, but Finkelstein promises to release a new batch this week.
Available at Boulangerie Hof Kelsten, 4524 St-Laurent Blvd.
FOR THE COOK WHO HAS EVERYTHING
All-Clad lasagna pan, about $100
Unlike most roasting pans, which are too large for a simple chicken or vegetables, this pan is just the right size for so many roasting recipes. Though designed for lasagna, I use it for just about everything but, and the thick base means it can go from stove to stovetop without warping. A superb pan at a very fair price.
Available at Quincaillerie Dante, 6851 St-Dominique St., quincailleriedante.com.
FOR THE DIEHARD FOODIE
Japanese chef’s knife, starting at $260
Check out the knives of any of Montreal’s top chefs and you’ll find some serious Japanese knives, many of which have been purchased at L’Émouleur.
These blades are made of stainless steel or carbon steel, which stay sharper longer and, when treated with care, will last a lifetime. Yes, they’re costly — several creep into the $1,000-plus range — but once you’ve sliced, diced and chopped with one of these sensual and razor-sharp babies, there is no going back.
Available at L’Émouleur, 1081 Laurier Ave. W., lemouleur.com/couteaujaponais.
Breville’s Fast Slow Pro Multi-Cooker, $369.99
The big buzz on the kitchen appliance scene has been focused on these slow cooker/pressurecooker hybrid appliances, which are ideal for everything from pulses to risottos, braised meats and cheesecake. But that’s not all: you can sauté and steam right in the pot, making this a far more complex appliance than your mom’s Crock-Pot. A real plus for people who have either plenty of or limited time to get dinner on the table.
Available on Breville’s website (bit.ly/2yiH0BQ) or through retailers including the Bay, Ares and Best Buy.
Dinner in an Instant: 75 Modern Recipes for Your Pressure Cooker, Multicooker and Instant Pot, by Melissa Clark (Clarkson Potter, 2017), $29
A great little book from a sharp cookbook author and columnist from the New York Times, this is an excellent guide for people getting to know the ins and outs of the multi-cooker craze. Dinner in an Instant emphasizes the recipes you should make in a pressure cooker, because it does them “better, faster, more conveniently and more flavourful.”
Available at bookstores including Appetite for Books, 388 Victoria Ave., appetitebooks.ca.
FOR THE OFFICE GIFT EXCHANGE
Le Creuset mugs, about $20
I first spotted these handsome mugs at the Mallard Cottage restaurant in St. John’s, N.L., whose brunch table is loaded with colourful Le Creuset crockery. The mugs are large enough for a generous pour and thick enough to keep that brew hot for a good while. Bold but elegant, they’re available in seven colours.
Available at lecreuset.ca, specialty cookware shops and major retailers, including the Bay.
Maple syrup jug, $38
This glazed earthenware jug is designed to hold a 500 mL can of maple syrup. Yes, you can plunk a can on the table, but this Montreal-made item is simply gorgeous and can keep your syrup stored in the refrigerator between pancake feasts.
Available at Arthur Quentin, 3960 St-Denis St., arthurquentin.com.
FOR THAT POSH FRIEND Vilmart Champagne, $61.50-$77.25
In the world of Champagne, there are countless options, most at eyebrow-raising prices. When I tasted this Champagne at Montreal’s Liverpool House restaurant, I couldn’t put my glass down, so enraptured was I by its subtle apple flavour, fine bubbles and drinkability. Vivacious and opulent, it offers a creamy texture with good length on the palate.
Available at the SAQ.
Champagne stopper, $12.95
If you don’t manage to polish off that bottle of Champagne, fear not: those bubbles will hold on for a few more days thanks to this brilliant stopper, which seals in the tiny air pockets. A great gift for the sparkling-wine lover in your life.
Available at Vinum Design, 1480 City Councillors St., vinumdesign.com.
Claridge’s: The Cookbook, by Martyn Nail and Meredith Erickson (Mitchell Beazley, 2017), $44
A feast for the eyes that will make anglophiles, oenophiles, foodies and practically anyone else swoon. Beautifully designed and skilfully written (co-author Erickson is a Montrealer), this stunning cookbook/history book sweeps you into the world of London’s most magnificent hotel, be it for breakfast, elevenses, tea, cocktails or the most decadent of dinners. There are game dinners, Christmas dinners and enough enticing pastries to have you licking the pages. A treat to look at and to read, best of all, it makes you dream.
Available at bookstores including Appetite for Books, 388 Victoria Ave., appetitebooks.ca.
FOR KIDS Modern Twist Mark-Mat, $30.99
This adorable set includes a 12- by 16-inch soft and silky silicone placemat and four washable markers designed for children to colour away before, after or during a meal. A great option for keeping the kids busy at restaurants, or simply encouraging their artistic talents, the placemat is durable and reusable. Markers and placemats are also sold separately.
Available at Boutique 1101, 1101 Laurier Ave. W., www.boutique1101.com.
FOR OUT-OF-TOWN FRIENDS
Au Pied de Cochon maple syrup, 500 mL, $9
For years, the maple syrup at Martin Picard’s famous sugar shack was used only on site, but now that production has increased, the rest of us can enjoy their fabulous syrup too. We’re all used to maple syrup on the table, but never forget it’s a delicacy overseas and would also make a great gift for any of Au Pied de Cochon’s many fans.
Available at aupieddecochon.ca/ en/food.
Quelle Histoire dish towels, $19.35, or aprons, $39.95
A great way to learn about the history of some of Quebec’s foodstuffs, traditions and dishes. These dish towels are not only beautiful, but include fascinating information about such famous foods as the Montreal melon, maple syrup, tire Sainte-Catherine and poutine. There are eight in all, and they are printed in French and English. Also sold in apron form.
Available at the Grand Marché de Noël at Place des Arts; in Montreal museum gift shops; cookware shops such as Les Touilleurs, 152 Laurier Ave. W.; and at quellehistoire.com.
FOR COCKTAIL AFICIONADOS
Riedel Coca-Cola glass, $14.95
A favourite in my cupboard, this curvy glass is designed to emulate the shape of the original Coca-Cola bottle, but I reach for it when making any cocktail that calls for a highball. The thin and delicate crystal glass makes a great gift for either a cola lover or anyone who appreciates a stylish drinking vessel.
Available at Vinum Design, 1480 City Councillors St., vinumdesign.com.
3/4 Oz. mixer syrups, $25/500 mL
Keeping a stash of mixers can be trying for the cocktail maker, and the new variety of upscale tonics and ginger ales can cost a pretty penny. These syrups provide a great solution for those mixing one cocktail at a time, and the quality is excellent and less sweet than many brands. Available in five flavours — tonic, ginger ale, cola and the newest, bitter orange and sour honey — these Montreal-made syrups can be kept in the refrigerator once opened. A great boon for Soda Stream users, each bottle contains enough for 25 drinks.
For points of sale, see 34oztonicmaison.com.
FOR THE COFFEE LOVER
Alessi Pulcina, three-cup and six-cup espresso maker, $100 and $135
This may not be the most cutting-edge espresso maker, but it’s certainly the most stylish. Designed by two of Italy’s most famous brands, Alessi and Illy coffee, this chic stovetop device is ideal for the fashionista coffee drinker or anyone looking for a style-meets-substance coffee pot. Available at Boutique 1101, 1101 Laurier Ave. W., www.boutique1101.com.
FOR THE THIRD-WAVE COFFEE LOVER
Kaito coffee, $17.50 to $19.50/lb
I first discovered the Kaito brand thanks to a bean-to-bar chocolate maker selling it in Mont-Tremblant. Ever since, I’ve been ordering monthly shipments of this terrific coffee, which is roasted in Hudson. You can opt for delivery like I do, or pick it up at their new café in Griffintown. My preference is for the Ethiopian beans, but try a few blends before committing to one.
Available at Kaito Café, 995 Wellington St., Suite 100, kaitocoffee.com.
AND FOR ME! Potager tablecloth, $85 to $320
I gasped when I first spotted this gorgeous tablecloth, with its bold vegetable print filled with turnips, cauliflower, cabbages and radishes galore. Sold in various sizes, or as a table runner you can place atop a neutral background, this is an item that puts the “art” back into arts de la table. A great gift for that special foodie who likes to entertain.
Available at Arthur Quentin, 3960 St-Denis St., arthurquentin.com.