The holiday season is upon us and so begins the annual ritual of figuring out what would make the perfect gift for that someone special on your list. If that someone happens to be a foodie, then we’ve got you covered with a host of ideas from kitchen gadgets to cutlery to enthusiast programs. And, when you get your shopping done early thanks to Digital Dads, don’t forget to reward yourself as well.

001. Just for fun – Star Wars Pancake Molds

Treat your young younglings to these Star Wars Pancake Molds available at Williams-Sonoma. These are a great way to mix up pancake morning (or brinner) to power them up to learn the ways of the force. They also have Stars Wars cookie cutters, sandwich cutters, as well as Jedi and Padawan sized aprons for hands on training.

002. Cutlery – Shun Knives

Until recently I was an unbashed fan of Wusthof knives. Then I got a hold of my first Shun and haven’t looked back. Originating from Seki City, Japan’s historical center for manufacturing Samurai swords, Shun knives are heirs to a seven-century tradition of superior workmanship. What struck me the first time I used my Santoku was how incredibly well balanced the knife was and how it practically became an extension of my hand. Sur la Table has a great special running on Shun’s classic 7 inch chef’s knife where you can get a fine piece of cutlery for less than a hundred dollars.

003. Appliances – Vitamix Professional Series 500 Blender

Most blenders available for home use are underpowered and, in my experience, burn out rather quickly. When it comes time for me to replace my current blender I’m going to splurge a bit and step up to the plate for a Vitamix Professional Series 500 Blender. At $600 it isn’t cheap, but with 2 peak HP motor that runs at 240 MPH it is a commercial quality piece of equipment that is durable enough for most restaurant kitchens.

004. Cookware – Le Creuset 9 Quart Signature Oval Dutch Oven

Low and slow cooking is how I roll and there is nothing finer than the enameled goodness of Le Creuset cast iron cookware. At nearly $350 there are less expensive alternatives, but this is the type of workhorse that can pass down to future generations of home cooks.

005. Cookbooks – Braise by Daniel Boulud; Ratio by Michael Ruhlman

Even in the internet age where recipes can be had online for nothing there is still something special about owning a few staple cookbooks. Continuing with the low and slow theme we have “Braise: A Journey Through International Cuisine” by Daniel Boulud. The renowned chef and restaurateur details the techniques, key equipment, ingredients and helpful tips while offer 100 recipes for you to try at home.

At the other end of the spectrum is “Ratio: The Simple Codes Behind the Craft of Everyday Cooking” by author and Clevelander Michael Ruhlman. I actually received this book for Christmas last year and it is designed to help free you from the memorization of recipes. One of my favorite things that I learned how to make from this book is Pate a Choux, which is a highly versatile pastry dough that can make a number of things from delicate cream puffs to enhancing a staple like meatballs.

006. Kitchen Gadgets – Microplane 38000 Professional Grater Set

You’d probably wondering why in the world I’d add a bunch of hand held graters to a list like this. Well, I’ve been using Microplane’s products for about four years now and you can have them once you pry them from my cold, dead hands. They are really that good. Microplane got its start nearly 20 years ago as a woodworking tool and thanks to a happy accident discovered how great their products would be in the kitchen. This set has five different graters ranging from coarse to ribbon to super fine and even makes quick work of whole spices like nutmeg.

007. Spices – Penzeys Spices Gift Boxes

With all the cooking I do we go through a lot of spices. There are probably a dozen staple spices I like to have on hand at all times including different salts like sea salt and fleur de sel, which is a finishing salt. For years I’ve been buying my spices directly from Penzeys and have never been disappointed. Compared to what you would pay in stores, buying in bulk from Penzeys is also more economical. They offer a number of different spice gift boxes that would be great for the baker, barbecue master or hot chocolate lover in your life.

008. The gift that keeps on giving – CSA Memberships

A great idea for a gift that will last for a few months is to purchase a membership to a CSA. Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) has become a popular way for consumers to buy local, seasonal food directly from a farmer. A local farmer will offer a number of “shares” in their upcoming crop, which may consist of a box of vegetables and other farm products. After purchasing a share, membership or subscription you will receive a box of seasonal produce each week throughout the farming season. It is a great way to eat local and fresh. These shares run anywhere from $20 per week and up depending on the season and the crops being offered. To find a CSA in your area, check out the Local Harvest website.

009. Enthusiast programs – CIA Bootcamp

A few times after I have cooked for friends I’ve been told that I should open my own restaurant. As incredibly flattering as that is, the truth is I have neither the skills nor the capacity to pursue cooking as a profession. Fortunately, there are programs out there like the Culinary Institute of America’s Bootcamps to help satiate any desire I may have as an enthusiast to pursue such a thing on a limited basis. The CIA offers programs ranging from two to five days in a range of disciplines. Whether you want to hone your skills or learn more about subjects like barbecue, baking or healthy cooking there is an enthusiast program for you. The tuition on these programs starts at about $850 and doesn’t include travel and accommodations to where the classes are held.

Photo by thebittenword.com