Don’t panic, there’s still time to get some wonderful items for that food lover in your life. Check out my list and get shopping!
Photo credit: Cindy from www.letsomnom.com
If you have someone in your life who loves to cook, then you must buy them a hand-forged Japanese knife from Knifewear. You just must. These knives are works of art and they handle like a dream. Owning one of these knives will change your life. Knifewear is also home to some of the best cookbooks on the market, so if you’re not ready to begin a knife addiction (because once you start…), then you can find something else to suit your budget.
On Our Table Cutting Boards (and more).
These locally made cutting boards, butcher blocks and wooden kitchen accessories have been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Dwell Magazine, and more, and are sold in specialty decor shops around the globe. Locally, you can find them at: Hillaby’s in St. Albert, Plum on 124 Street, the Art Gallery of Alberta, and 29 Armstrong in Commerce Place. You want to make a statement? Get one of these pieces designed by Geoffrey Lilge of Edmonton. ($80-$250 +/-)
The chocolate connoisseur will be drooling over products from Choklat. Most other chocolatiers work with chocolate that’s already made by someone else but Choklat imports the cocoa beans and makes every single confection from scratch. They not only make single origin chocolates but sometimes single plantation chocolates as well. One bite and you’ll be hooked. (Prices vary)
Jacek Chocolate
More chocolate decadence can be found at Jacek Chocolate.
Jacqueline Jacek makes these edible gems out of her shop in Sherwood Park but you can find her chocolates in several locations. Check the website, or order online. These chocolates could double as art pieces. (Prices vary)
Grilling & Chilling Soapstone Company
You know we don’t stop barbecuing just because it’s winter, right? Here’s the perfect gift for the griller in your life:
These soapstone slabs work magic on your grill. Check out my blogpost and video and then order yours. I can’t imagine grilling now without them. (Starting at $45)
They also have chilling stones – perfect for whiskies and other drinks where you need them cool, but not watered down. (Starting at $20)
Get into the “spirit” of things with these fine elixirs crafted in southern Alberta.
If you really want to impress your friends, show up with a bottle of one of these beauties. Big distilleries are so yesterday. Plus, the people behind Eau Claire have a really great story, and get this: in the spring, they planted their rye using horses and vintage farm equipment. Come on! All Alberta ingredients are used to create the artisanal vodka, gin and gin rummy and the distillery is located in the former, historic Turner Valley theatre. So cool, it’s ridiculous. Can’t wait to go for a tour. In the meantime, we drink! ($50 – $55 +/-)
Speaking of drinking: British Columbia wine
You can do your part in letting the world know about BC wines. In short, they’re phenomenal. Think they’re too expensive, compared to, say, Apothic, or Little Penguin? You’re right—they are, and for one reason: they’re a trillion leagues above, that’s why. Do yourself a favour…do everyone a favour: the next party you go to, take a bottle of BC wine and start spreading the love. Your cool factor has just gone up a mega-notch. (prices vary)
New Year’s Eve is the perfect occasion to pop some bubbly – BC bubbly, of course. If you want my BC wine recommendations, you can find some of them here and here.
And you know what goes with wine? Cheese, of course.
I wouldn’t recommend putting an actual block of cheese beneath the tree, so Cavern’s Cheese of the Month membership is the perfect solution. Need cheese now? Stop by Cavern on 104 Street and choose from some of the 75-100 artisanal items they stock, or call/email (780.455.1336 / info@thecavern.ca) for a gift membership for the Cheese of the Month.
A box of macarons, a gorgeous cake, or anything from Duchess or their Provisions store will have you in anyone’s good books, but if you really want to make their day, give them the Duchess Bake Shop Cookbook: 208 pages of recipes, tips and tricks and gorgeous pictures. Get them quick, they’re selling like crazy and only available at the shop, or online. ($45.00)
Here’s a great idea: Cooking Classes (Prices vary)
Eat, drink and cook with some of Edmonton’s finest, like:
Kathryn Joel of Get Cooking Edmonton
Kathryn Joel of Get Cooking Edmonton
Photo Credit: Edmonton Journal
Gail Hall of Seasoned Solutions
The crew from Shovel & Fork
Charcuterie course with Shovel & Fork – Photo Credit: Hunt and Gather Blog
Brad Smoliak from Kitchen by Brad
Keep your community alive: eat, drink and shop local, and have a very, merry Christmas!