What cooks crave
Wide range of gifts will delight the culinarian on your list
See the wide range of gifts that will delight your culinarian.
If there’s someone on your holiday gift list who loves to cook, you’re in luck. That’s because those of us who delve into the culinary arts with abandon typically go in a lot of different directions. And, why wouldn’t we? Those who love to bake might want to make elegant petits fours that require special tins one day, then whip up a favorite cake in a new Bundt pan the next. If grilling is their thing, they might be wishing for a high-end grill basket, some fancy wood chips or wood planks for a salmon dinner. If they love making ethnic foods, their wish list could be endless. Maybe a tortilla press if they like Mexican food. Or a fancy new wok for Asian cuisine. If you don’t feel comfortable asking the cooks on your list what they want, or you want to surprise them, there are plenty of new items on the market — large and small, inexpensive to pricey — from which to choose.
Here are some we liked. Spatulas: What cook doesn’t need extra spatulas — especially ones this cute? When you purchase any of these Christmas spatulas from William Sonoma, the store will donate 25% of the purchase price directly to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, helping to support research and treatment for pediatric cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Available at area Williams-Sonoma stores and williams sonoma.com. $12.95. Appetizer Flex Tray: Made of 100% bamboo, this tray has a white ceramic insert and can be adjusted to fit whatever you are serving. It fits up to four removable magnetic dividers with chalkboard tops so foods can be clearly labeled. A removable bowl can be placed in the center. It’s from Great Useful Stuff ( greatusefulstuff.com). $44.99. Techie Apron: Cooks can swipe without smears when wearing this new Techie Apron, also from Great Useful Stuff. It has a built-in cellphone pocket with a clear, swipe-friendly window that allows you to use messy hands to answer a call, check texts or consult recipes. The gray apron is made of washable cotton twill, has faux leather trim, adjustable straps and four spacious pockets to keep cooking (or gardening) supplies handy. One size fits all. $24.99. Slow cookers: This year you can choose from so many different models, from basic cookers with fun elements to high-tech versions. Here are just two, both from Black & Decker. The brand's new “chalkboard slow cooker” lets you write the meal’s contents right on the cooker. It has easy-to-use digital controls and a locking lid for safer transport. The 4-quart size is $29.99; 7-quart size, $39.99. The larger size includes a lid hanger, large cool-touch handles, a removable stoneware liner and tempered glass lid. Both are available at larger retailers such as Target or Amazon.com. For those who love technology, Black & Decker also has a Wi-Fi-enabled 6-quart slow cooker that connects to your home Wi-Fi network so you can use your mobile device to set time and temperature, and to start or stop cooking. At Walmart, $49.99. Levitating glassware: This is definitely a luxury gift — but a very fun one. The Levitating X Collection includes faux-glass shatterproof cocktail, beer, coffee and dessert glasses as well as a plate, all of which can levitate over a base. Magnetic levitation technology (also called “electromagnetic suspension”) is used to stabilize the floating items. (For a demonstration, go to levitatingx.com, choose your item and click “how to.”) The base, which comes in black, white and chrome, is available with batteries, but there is also a base that can be plugged in. Prices vary; a dessert bowl or dessert or salad plate with a wireless base is $199.99 (wired base, $179.99). Available through the website. Retro toaster: This two-slice retro style toaster from Russell Hobbs ( rus sellhobbs.com) has a countdown timer that shows how much time is remaining on the toasting cycle, six browning settings that range from light to dark and a frozen setting. For bagels, you can toast the cut side and warm the other side, and it comes with a removable warming rack that quickly heats buns, pastries and rolls. In red or black. The two-slice toaster is $79.99; four-slice toaster, $99.99. At Amazon. Coffee maker: Also by Russell Hobbs, this 8-cup-capacity appliance comes in a black, red and stainless combination. The display indicates how much time is left before your coffee has finished brewing. It also shows the length of time the carafe warming plate has been active, so you’ll always know how fresh your coffee is (or isn't). “Advanced showerhead technology” evenly saturates coffee grounds during the brewing process, and there’s a “pause and pour feature” that lets you grab a cup; if the carafe is replaced within 20 seconds, brewing will resume. At Amazon.com. $79.99. Cookie cups: Why serve your favorite liqueur in a glass when you can put it in an elegant, tasty cookie cup? Each ChocAmo Cookie Cup can be filled with any libation, as well as ice cream or coffee. The newest of eight flavors is the 24K rose gold cup. Cups also come in Pumpkin Spice, Chocolate Chipster, Mocha Dream, Birthday Cake, Rainbow Road, Glitz & Glam and Midnight Diamond. At chocamo.com. A box of six is $19.95. Jewel-toned glasses: These Riedel Happy O Vol. 2 crystal tumblers are an elegant way to dress up any beverage, from cucumber-infused water to smoothies. They come in a set of four in mixed shades of violet, red, orange and turquoise, hold 11.5 ounces and are dishwasher-safe. At riedelusa.net or area stores that sell glassware. $69. Cake plate: Pricey but beautiful — that describes this pedestal stand by Anniglass, with hand-chipped edges that are covered with 24K gold. (Also available in platinum.) It’s 13 inches in diameter, making it perfect for cakes, desserts, appetizers or even for a sushi assortment. Dishwasher safe and chip-resistant, but not recommended for oven or microwave use. At Xenia in Mequon, $378. Gingerbread man pan: This red gingerbread man will make any quick bread or loaf cake festive. From Nordic Ware, it’s made of thick cast aluminum, provides even, consistent heating and has a nonstick coating to make desserts easy to release. Pan holds 6 cups of batter. At Sur la Table ( surlatable.com). $32.