We find that giving a gift of food is one that is most welcome. Let’s face it, we all have to eat, and better foodstuffs, or the knowledge for making great meals, often is the perfect gift, especially for the person who has everything. Read on to see our personal picks in Hobnob’s Foodie Gifting Guide for 2020 and create new traditions for cooking at home.
Doorstep Market: Shop Like A Local
Doorstep Market is for those who love to shop local—and with this service they can do it nationally—with ingredients made by small purveyors. Showcasing the best kept secrets of the Hudson River, New England, Bay Area and soon to be added Southern regions of the US, Doorstep Market is a one-stop, e-commerce shopping site featuring an array of locally curated makers, artisans and growers. Photo at the top of this post features the Point Reyes Cheese Pack, $65.
Tom Jacoby, Doorstep Market Co-Founder says: “Supporting small local businesses is the main focus of Doorstep Market as we highlight the best of the local purveyors who ship direct to your doorstep anywhere in the country and in any season. Photos: Hillside Harvest Pineapple Fresno Hot Sauce,$10.99 and 50 Little Ram Oysters, $80 might be a nice match for the oyster lover in your life.
Especially now that travel is restricted, this is a great way to support local small businesses and discover what this country has to offer.” There are plenty of gift options to choose from: best of wine country, extra virgin olive oil, small-batch wild honey, pasture raised heritage pork, one-of-a-kind ceramics, hand-loomed blankets, succulent oysters, specialty coffees, organic vodka made from grapes, online classes and so much more. Photo shows Meal Mantra Sauce ($45), they also offer chutney dips. doorstep.market
Photos: Damon Jacoby
Pamela Morgan Virtual Cooking Classes
Knowing our way around the kitchen has been the most popular 2020 pastime. This gift is for those who love to eat and socialize. Pamela Morgan is a well-known NYC celebrity chef, author and lifestyle expert who loves to share recipes from her Upper East Side apartment or Hamptons home. This Culinary guru and instructor has over 30 years of experience, and even used to own her very own catering company. Pamela’s renowned parties and classes get praises from everyone who attends, and no recipe is too hard for her. Giving them the gift of experience and skill is the gift that keeps on giving. Book a zoom cooking party for your friends and family, then make sure to join as well. It will be a good time for all. Discounted at $80 till the end of December. pamelamorganlifestyle.com
“Like Water For Chocolate” Story Expands: Tita’s Diary
For a foodie with a fondness for romance we recommend Laura Esquivel’s second book, Tita’s Diary. One of our favorite movies of all time is “Like Water for Chocolate”. Author Laura Esquivel invites readers to fall in love again as the saga continues with two books to expand the story into a trilogy collection. Tita’s Diary, the second book, takes an intimate look at the life of the best-selling novel’s main character, who embodies love, passion and the communication of emotions through food in early 20th Century México. Tita’s Diary reminds readers of the exploration and connection available through a deeply captivating story. Adding in the magic of igniting all five senses, Tita’s Diary is the physical manifestation of the character’s dream—to share her thoughts on love, food and alchemy. amazon.com
Rela Gleason’s Living Well
Here is yet another book that will inspire the elegant foodie in your life. LIVING WELL more than just a pretty book, it is a timely reminder of how important it is to create meaningful experiences with family and friends. This book is ideal for someone who is looking to learn and develop a deeply personal style, whether they are ready for a new home or a life re-do. It is filled with tabletop decor and lifestyle inspiration.
Rela Gleason’ recipe for a well-lived life takes us through her home at her Napa Vineyard and Estate, which was featured in Architectural Digest, or canvasing the country in her Airstream Trailer escaping the California wildfires. Best-selling author and internationally acclaimed photographer Miguel Flores-Vianna was spellbound after producing a Veranda story on her estate’s guest cottages. In his foreword he writes: “Rela makes life seem effortless whether she is designing rooms or making delicious meals… A bit like a diamond on which we keep finding beautiful new facets all the time.” This book is as down to earth as it is refined and that’s what makes it fascinating. relagleasondesign.com
Prime 6 Gourmet Charcoal: The Coal They’ll Want
Know a self-proclaimed grill master? We have just the gift in mind. Prime 6 is an outdoor lifestyle company for the conscious consumer. The company, which has been featured on Shark Tank, has managed to create a one-of-a-kind premium, sustainable and reusable charcoal.
Prime 6 charcoal is mindfully made from 100% repurposed sawdust which helps to clean up the planet and save trees. In fact, their partnership with One Tree Planted actively plants a tree with every pack sold. Their sustainable approach is good news for grillers because Prime 6 charcoal is engineered to burn high and consistently for hours, eliminating messy ash cleanup and enhancing food flavor. This clever gift will change their grilling experience. prime-six.com
Artisanal Gift Baskets From Appalachia
Appalachia is a vast and picturesque region that boasts 420 counties across 13 states and spans 205,000 square miles from southern New York to northern Mississippi. For the patriotic foodie looking to explore the wondrous region of Appalachia and its recherché beauty, bountiful creativity and endless talent, give them the best of the region with a gourmet basket or subscription box.
The Heart of Appalachia Holiday Gift can be customized for Him or Her with at-home bar cocktail choices or body care products. The J.Q. Dickinson Appalachian Mercantile’s main aspiration is to bring global awareness to the bountiful natural resources, amazing food and artisanal goods of the region. jqdappalachianmercantile
Naturacentric Honey, Teas And Elixirs
Naturacentric Apothecary in Turlock, California, has created a Hot Toddy Kit (minus the alcohol) to keep your giftees warm all winter long. They’ll be impressed by the quality ingredients created with care. This is a package you can customize with different types of honey: Lemon Infused, Vanilla Cinnamon, Ginger, Elderberry and more. Everything Naturacentric creates is handcrafted with nature and plant medicine in mind, but they can also mix a mean cocktail, plus the price of this Hot Toddy gift is unbeatable, only $25. natceninc.com
