10 Thoughtful Gifts for the Foodie in Your Life

Check a few food lovers off your Christmas list with these delicious and useful gifts

When it comes to Christmas, we may dream about eating sugar plums and other yummy seasonal treats, but there are those who don’t just dream about them: they’re the people who have the passion to create them. We’re talking about those in your life who love to feed you. What better way to show your appreciation than to nourish their passion with thoughtful gifts that serves their talent?

We curated a selection of ideas to spoil the foodie in your life…

 

1. Rise to the occasion

Technology has invaded our kitchens in numerous ways and for many cooks hard-copy recipe books and cards are things of the past. A search of the web produces seemingly endless recipe options, but what gets complicated is where to position the tablet or smartphone. The Vivalla bamboo-veneer tablet stand, with its sleek minimalist-inspired profile, offers a stylish solution.
IKEA, $14.99, find online here 

 

2. The golden touch

Why give jewellery when you can update that special someone’s basic baking-pan collection with Williams Sonoma’s luxe-looking Copper Goldtouch® six-piece boxed set. Consisting of a cookie sheet, cooling rack, 12-well muffin pan, a half-sheet pan and two 9-inch round cake pans, all pans have the durable Goldtouch® non-stick coating, and are made from commercial-grade aluminized-steel construction for quick and even heat distribution.
Williams Sonoma, $149.95, find online here

 

3. ‘Tis the season to sparkle

Add some sparkle to everyday living with these white-hued silicone utensils with brilliantly polished copper handles from Williams Sonoma. Their durable dual-construction nylon and silicone heads are both strong and flexible and won’t absorb flavours or colours. They make a stylish transition from stove to table to use as serving ware.
Williams Sonoma, $24.95 to $36.95, find online here   

 

4. Dutch courage

The Tiffany of Dutch ovens, this Le Creuset three-litre, rectangular stoneware vessel is perfect for cooking everything from baked lasagna to roasts and casseroles. Known for an expansive range of colour options, Le Creuset dishes suit any decor, and look just as at home on the dining table as in the oven.
Le Creuset, $150, find online here 

 

5. Required reading

From the people who have taught thousands of Canadians to cook at their Vancouver kitchen/studio/food shop comes Gather, a follow-up cookbook to the bestselling Dirty Apron Cookbook. In this latest offering, chef David Robertson of Dirty Apron has curated recipes to please everyone at gatherings of family and friends. Geared to cooks of all skill levels, this collection of 80 recipes were created with the idea of sharing—family-style. There are also gluten-free and plant-based options that make meal-planning for a crowd with varying dietary restrictions more manageable. This is a gift that also pays it forward: a portion of the proceeds from book sales will be donated to the Joy Smith Foundation which works to end human trafficking.
Indigo, $38.99, find online here 

 

6. Creative inspiration

For your favourite foodie who wants to expand their repertoire, Vancouver’s Nourish Cooking School offers a range of globally inspired, three-hour classes for people who love food. Each class—be it Japanese, Italian, Chinese, French or Ottolenghi-inspired—consists of using local, organic, seasonal ingredients and ethically sourced proteins to create a delicious meal in a fun and relaxed environment, which can later be replicated at home (and yes, you get to eat it too)!
Nourish, $95.24 to $110, details online

 

7. Chop chop

A great knife Is inarguably one of the most important tools in any cook’s kitchen. The Haruyuki Kokuto Santoku (pictured here, $189)—also known as a Japanese-style chef’s knife—from Knifewear is a versatile, everyday kitchen tool. Just as important as having a superior knife is having the skills to properly use it. Knifewear, on Main Street, offers knife-skills classes ranging from beginner to advanced. For those wanting to learn how to care for their knives, there are sharpening classes, and Knifewear also offers sharpening services. Gift certificates can be purchased either online or in the shop.
Knifewear, $60 to $230, find online here

 

8. Mixing matters

KitchenAid has updated their classic stand mixer colours with an edgy, industrial matte-black finish to complement modern kitchens. The extensive colour range also includes an oh-so-pretty rose-gold-and-copper finish if your gift recipient leans more toward sparkly things. This powerful, five-quart mixer can take heavy loads, even as they increase, and has settings from ultra-low to high speed. It comes with a flat beater, dough hook, wire whip and clear plastic pouring shield.
Crate & Barrel, $499.95, find online here 

 

9. All tartaned up

Seasonal aprons can be fun and festive, but what to do with them for the other 11 months of the year? Your chef might appreciate one a bit more neutral that suits the entire winter season as well as Christmas. This red tartan apron wraps up both the holiday season and kitschy, Canadiana style all in one garment.
Indigo, $25, find online here  

 

10. Bowled over

With so many kitchens now incorporating open shelving, aesthetically complementary crockery is a must. Enter these glazed grey-and-white, colour-blocked mixing bowls that do double duty as serving bowls. With cleverly integrated spouts and handles, they bring style and function to any kitchen.
Crate & Barrel, $54.95, find online here