Complete a set of china or serving dishes.
Anyone who entertains usually has a treasured set of special serving ware, glasses, utensils, or plates. Again, these can be very expensive—that’s why brides often register for china—so having groups of friends each contribute a piece makes it easier on their wallets, while still achieving the cherished goal.
A set of unusual spices, herbs, condiments, or sauce.
This can be a relatively inexpensive gift, but looks beautiful, smells wonderful, and if chosen well, will lead to memorable experiences for the recipient. What cook doesn’t like to experiment with new ingredients and flavors? One caveat: because these ingredients don’t cost much individually, the quality of gifted items must be top-rate! Go to Penzey’s Spices or another merchant that specializes in whatever ingredient you are seeking. It’s even better if you have taken a trip to the country of origin and brought back the edible gold from its source, but let’s face it, how many of us have that opportunity?
A great cookbook.
New cookbooks come out like clockwork and there are millions out there already, but that doesn’t stop cooks from constantly wanting to ogle one that they haven’t seen. Check your cook’s library discretely and see if he/she is missing any key classics. Or check out what’s been recently released and is hot—most publications of any note review and rate cookbooks as well as other books. The New York Times Book Review, The James Beard Foundation, and the International Association of Culinary Professionals (among many others) give awards for the best cookbooks of each year. Pick one that was published in 2007 (that your friend doesn’t already have) to be current.
Great dishtowels.
This is a cheaper gift for those of you who are worried about bankrupting your checkbook by buying presents during the holidays. However, these can also be the hardest to find. The material has to be tough and absorbent, and you wouldn’t believe how hard it is to find designs that are not too cutesy and more sophisticated in design. If you have old material like this lying around, you can make ’em yourself (cheapest route). If you go to Europe regularly, I like the dishtowels I’ve seen there more than ours (more expensive route). Or just look very carefully on Web sites that sell cooking supplies.
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