PrintSeeking Gift Ideas
I am seeking some unique gift ideas for someone very into food/cooking/eating/etc. I was hoping for some ideas in the mid-to-high end range, that go beyond the normal gadgets that come to mind. Maybe some kind of food or foodie experience. Thanks.
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12 Comments:
I participated in a day-long internship at a sustainable dairy farm and bakeyard, that just about beat anything I'd experienced in a while.
hereandthe at 9:40AM on 10/03/07
Where do you live? That determines what is available.
Mich23 at 9:43AM on 10/03/07
Sorry for that omission, but we live in Manhattan. Thanks.
FoodBoy at 9:51AM on 10/03/07
Most hi-end restaurants in NYC have a chefs table, that allows you to eat in the kitchen(i.e. Daniel). Or, at this point, some of the star chefs will come to your home and prepare a meal, or cook with you. A dinner and weekend at Blue Hill at Stone Barns is great, or I understand The Inn at North Fork on Long Island is phenomenal. You can stay there and the food is top notch. Of course, there are an abundance of cooking schools to give a class as a gift, or a number of food walks( ICE gives an Arthur Ave. in the Bronx walk, plus many others) If you decide on food, maybe have the best of all foods sent to him /her. Get the best apple pie in the U.S, the best Chicago pizza, the best smoked salmon, the best of whatever this person loves. Then again, dinner ar Per Se is a treat, if they haven't been there already. Hope I've helped!
Mich23 at 10:15AM on 10/03/07
Thanks. I have done some of those and thought of some as well, but not all so you were very helpful. One question arising from your post though, which chef's tables are recommend? Also, is there a central place/resource to investigate getting a chef to come to your home to cook or is a case-by-case basis that involves calling around? Thanks again.
FoodBoy at 10:27AM on 10/03/07
A little research shows Cafe Gray, Daniel, Park Ave. Autumn, Aquavit,Hearth, Barbuto, and Country are recommended. As far as the private chef, I will have to get you more info.
Mich23 at 11:00AM on 10/03/07
I know this is usually considered an inconsiderate gift but I love receiving gift certificates to Williams Sonoma or some such place. If you live in Manhattan, you might consider Dean & DeLuca or Gourmet Garage. You can also try Bridge Kitchenware 212-688-4220, or JB Prince (800) 473-0577. The last two are wonderlands of equipment. One other place for gourmet goodies is The Vinegar Factory (owned by Eli Zabar) way uptown. I want to say 91st street...I used to hit the VF before cooking school when Peter Kump's was uptown.
If your friend enjoys cooking classes, let me recommend The Institute for Culinary Education (ICE - Formerly Peter Kump's NY Cooking School). The specialty classes in ethnic cuisine and holiday/seasonal cooking are very good. http://www.iceculinary.com/
chiff0nade at 11:05AM on 10/03/07
You can also have a wine and cheese event done by professionals. Go to perfectpairing.biz. I plan to use them in the future.
Mich23 at 11:29AM on 10/03/07
How about a class or Boot Camp at the CIA in Hyde Park? A great learning experience and a blast if your friend is a fanatic like me. CIA's Continuing Education Department has a huge selection of courses.
ride&cook at 1:12PM on 10/03/07
Thanks everyone (especially Mich23, who has gone above & beyond). I appreciate the ideas.
FoodBoy at 1:24PM on 10/03/07
The ideas for "experience gifts" -- dinners, chefs tables, cooking classes-- are all great. In the smallish town I live in there's a great culinary store that has series of classes and tastings. The cheese tasting classes and wine tasting classes are really fun social events and often you could also arrange for that person to receive a gift after the class from the shop, etc. A lot of the wine classes, for example, include specialized Reidel wine glasses for the varietal being tasted that night.
As far as cooking gear or the like, it could be combined with these experiences if you know this person's cookware collection and what they *don't* have. I'd recommend buying a nice piece of cookware or a specialty pan or tool that may be expensive and overlooked up to now. I don't know too many people that are serious into their food that wouldn't love to receive a nice LeCreuset dutch oven, a super nice stainless mandolin, or a paella pan (all on my list at the moment).
Good luck! Someone's lucky to have you in their life! :)
bygnerd at 12:08AM on 10/04/07
Lessons are always good. It might seem a bit insulting ("you don't know what you're doing, take a class!") but I don't know anyone who enjoys cooking who wouldn't like to learn more. I've heard good things about the ICE in Chelsea.
LizNYC at 2:45PM on 10/04/07