The Foodie Gift Guide is one of my favorite posts each year. I spend a lot of time in the kitchen and I’m always happy to find products that make my life easier. If you have a cook in your family, or someone who just enjoys food, the Foodie Gift Guide 2019 is for you. We’ve found some exciting kitchen items and some delicious goodies to please the pickiest of critics.

Samples were received to facilitate this post, but we only recommend products we would give as gifts or love to receive ourselves.

Foodie Gift Guide 2019

Great Household Gifts For the Cook:

Loretta Belle Art –  I am a gardening fanatic. My family thinks I have never met a plant I could resist. Winter is a “blah” time for me because I can’t work in my beloved garden.  This fall and winter I’m getting my nature fix with Loretta Belle Art. Her goal is to create practical art inspired by nature. We’re talking bookmarks, mugs, and notebooks, as well as traditional prints and paintings.

Her original artwork is available in two designs, the plant collection and the sky collection.  The sky collection includes several different scenes ranging from cotton candy sunsets to calming day views. The plant collection includes soothing prints of succulents, monstera, peperomia, and more. I chose the Starry Sky Petunia Flower Mug which reminds me of spring. It has a bright, vivid pattern that perks me up each morning. Plus, it’s dishwasher and microwave safe. This mug has met the artist’s goal of bringing a little bit of joy and peace to my life.

The Loretta Belle Starry Sky Petunia Flower Mug is available for $20.

Nanopresso –  Need a shot of espresso where you go, but don’t like to lug a big machine around? The Nanopresso is an easy, portable way to get your espresso fix.  Weighing in at around 1/2 pound and measuring a little over 6 inches, this machine can be tucked into a suitcase for traveling.

To prepare the espresso, you’ll need ground coffee and hot water.  Once you’ve tamped down the coffee and added the water to the water tank, simply use their patented pumping system to produce a rich cup of coffee with a thick layer of crema. The pumping system is designed to create (a maximum of) 18 bars stable pressure, which is more than most home espresso machines produce.

Thanks to its simple design, the Nanopresso is a snap to clean. The new portafilter design allows all the components to be disassembled quickly for deep cleaning. Daily cleaning can be completed in a couple of minutes. Note: The Nanopresso is not considered to be dishwasher or microwave safe.

The Wacaco Nanopresso has an MSRP of $64.90.

Snowfox  Stainless Steel Rocks Glasses – If you entertain often, you know the woes of glass cups. They leave watermarks on furniture and are prone to break when dropped. The Snowfox Stainless Steel Rocks Glasses are a chic solution to this problem. Made with BPA free stainless steel, these cups are lightweight- at only 5-ounces each- and shatterproof.  The double-wall insulation ensures they never sweat, keep drinks colder longer, and prevent rapid ice melting.

Available in six colors, teal, white, steel, metallic green, olive-grey, and soft blue, they feature a thin 1 mm rim to create an entirely new drinking experience. Stylish enough for parties and practical enough for trips to the beach or the lake, these glasses will become your new favorite tableware.

The Snowfox Stainless Steel Rocks Glasses have an MSRP of $34.99 a set.

Gel Pro Mat – Cooking can be a literal pain. Some days I spend hours in the kitchen. By the end of the day, my feet, legs, and back hurt.  Gel Pro alleviates this discomfort with their patented gel and energy foam return comfort mats. Available in a variety of styles and colors, the Gel Pro contains four layers of comfort. It starts with a slip-resistant bottom layer,  then a dual-layer comfort core, and finally, a stain-resistant, easy-to-clean surface.

The comfort core consists of a 1/2-inch layer of therapeutic gel topped by a layer of energy-return foam. It’s designed to provide proper ergonomic support, superior pressure relief, and therapeutic relief from plantar fasciitis and osteoporosis.  With a five-year warranty and no-curl edges, this chic and comfortable mat will be a perfect addition for your kitchen floor.

The Gel Pro Mat has an MSRP of $124.95.

HeritageWare Cutting Board – Do you know someone who likes to cook and entertain? This cutting board, made from 100% American Hardwood, is designed for them.  The Walnut Edge Grain finish is all-natural with no chemicals, stains, or coloring used in production.  It’s also reversible. One side is solid, while the other side contains a stylish groove.  Either side can be used to create a lovely charcuterie platter. Measuring 17″ by 11″,  the HeritageWare cutting board provides plenty of room for serving or for chopping up veggies.

The walnut grain is built to keep knives sharp and prevent knife marks from showing.  I like to use the grooved side for chopping meat. This groove is just deep enough to keep juices from running over and spilling onto the countertop, making cleanup easy!  Not only does this board have a 100% satisfaction guarantee, HeritageWare partners with One Tree Planted. Each board purchased results in one tree being planted to support reforestation.

The HeritageWare Cutting Board has an MSRP of $49.99.

Lotus Trolley Bags – I shop at a “BYOB” (bring your own bag) store. I usually keep some reusable bags in the trunk of my car and load my groceries when I finish shopping. It wasn’t a perfect solution, especially when it was raining. The Lotus Trolley Bags have made life much easier! The set contains 4 sturdy bags that fit over the sides of a shopping cart. One bag is insulated to hold cold items, while another bag has pouches for wine and eggs.  The other pouches are multi-purpose bags.

The bags have mesh bottoms to prevent mold growth, are machine washable, and can be removed from the rods for easy transport. When not in use, the bags can be folded and stored in a small space. For those of us who purchase lots of fresh produce, a package of nine produce bags is available. Each set includes 3 large, 3 medium, and 3 small bags, color-coded for convenience.  The bags are machine washable, BPA free, and food safe and can be stored directly in the fridge.

The Lotus Trolley Bag has an MSRP of $34.99. A set of 9 Lotus Produce Bags is $16.96.

GoDonut – If you are like me, you use your tablet or phone to find new recipes.  The problem is having the recipe handy when you’re trying to cook. I’m always afraid someone will spill something on my device or it will be buried under a mound of ingredients. The GoDonut solves this problem. Its patented design works with most tablets or phones and allows its users three different viewing styles.

Made of soft, flexible plastic, the compact design (it measures 4-inches in width and 1-inch in width) comes in  Hunter Green, Jet Black, Lime Green, Purple, Cherry Red, and Pink. I like how it keeps my tablet safely elevated and tilted so I can read the recipe at a glance. It’s easy to clean too.  Although I use my GoDonut in the kitchen, it has plenty of other uses. It’s perfect for balancing a tablet on an airline tray, note-taking, or video-streaming.

The GoDonut has an MSRP of $12.90.

Great Food Gifts:

Subarz – Daphne Subar is a woman after my own heart.  When her husband joked that she never prepared the same dish twice, she explained that she enjoys experimenting with recipes to find the perfect creation. Over the years she perfected her recipe for Mandelbread and created a Subarz, a unique cross between Mandelbread, Biscotti, and a cookie bar.  In 2016 she left her law career to follow her dream of opening a bakery and Subarz was born.

Her original bars are available in 14 yummy flavors, including tempting treats like salted apricot caramel and luscious lavender.  To allow people with food allergies to enjoy her treats, she has expanded her offerings to feature gluten-free, dairy-free, wheat-free, and nut-free options.  People with celiac can try eight gluten-free varieties available in flavors ranging from chocolate chip to white chocolate raspberry.

We received a sampler package of four varieties. I devoured a chocolate chip Subarz as soon as they arrived. Then, I served some to my husband and son without telling them they were gluten-free.  These bars passed the ultimate taste test as neither realized they had eaten a gluten-free dish.  These bars are baked in small batches, individually cut, and will last up to 8 weeks stored in an airtight container. They can be frozen to last even longer.

The Subarzsweets Gluten-Free Sampler Box is available for $45.

Big Easy Bucha – Named after the city where it is produced, Big Easy Bucha is  New Orleans’ original artisanal, probiotic-packed Kombucha. Available in 10 varieties with fun names like Basin Street Blues and Geaux Green,  this fermented tea is naturally raw and vegan.  As a family-owned business they believe in supporting the community, sourcing Organic ingredients from small regional farms whenever possible.

The Kombucha is made in small batches and each bottle comes with the #DrinkEasy guarantee. All of their products are 100% natural. That means no artificial colors, sweeteners, or flavors are ever used.  They taste good too, especially when chilled. My favorite is the Bayou Berry.  If you’re in New Orleans, they have a tasting room on Euphrosine Street where customers can try libations on draft.  I’m visiting New Orleans in December and this is a must-visit stop for me.

A package of 6 bottles of Big Easy Bucha is $45.

Alpine Start Coffee – Are you a person who tends to procaffienate? Yes, I’m referring to the tendency to not start anything before you’ve had a cup of coffee. If you travel often, this can be a problem. The coffee in most hotel rooms can be a bit…disappointing.  As for finding a good cup of coffee, some areas don’t have a local coffee shop or Starbucks on every corner. Alpine Start Coffee is a solution to both these problems. It’s an instant coffee that tastes good. I know. It seems impossible, but it is true.

Made from 100% high-altitude Columbian Arabica beans, Alpine Start is available in three flavors; Original Medium Roast, Non-Dairy Coconut Creamer Latte, and Dirty Chai Latte. It’s easy to prepare with either hot or cold water and comes in convenient pouches perfect for slipping into a suitcase or backpack.  Now, no matter if you are dashing across the airport or groggily hitting the snooze button one more time, you’ll still have time for a delicious cup of coffee.

A package of 8 Original Alpine Start Coffees or 5 flavored coffees is available for $8.99. 

Rylie Cakes Mixes – Tara Rylie suffers from celiac disease so she knows firsthand how hard it can be to find a gluten-free dessert that tastes good. In 2012, after five years of trying disappointing products, she opened her own bakery with a mission to create products where ‘gluten-free and delicious could be used in the same sentence.’  She succeeded and has lovingly created six mixes including biscuit, shortbread, roux, cake, pancake, and vegan cookie, that are so good no one will know they are gluten-free.

Tara’s joie de vivre comes across clearly on her website where she shares gluten-free recipes for everything from light and fluffy pancakes to Coconut Curry Chicken soup.  Because she understands allergies, all her recipes are labeled with the eight major allergens and whether or not they contain sugar, are vegan, and are raw.  She also has a cookbook with 70 recipes. No one will say, “Oh, it’s gluten-free,” before setting it down again when sampling these recipes. Her mixes live up to her motto, ‘Lick the bowl, it’s gluten-free,’

Ryliecakes Mixes are available for $12 each.

Clarkson Avenue Crumb Cake Company – Remember the crumb cakes from childhood? A fluffy, moist cake topped with mounds of crumbs made for pulling off the cake when no one was looking.  The Walsh family has recreated the famous dessert using a family recipe developed on Clarkson Avenue in Brooklyn during the 1950s.  Available in two styles, cakes and Crumbkins,  they are available in a variety of flavors ranging from peanut butter and jelly to classic. A classic gluten-free crumb cake is also available.

We tried the Clarkson Avenue Salted Caramel Crumb Cake. It was advertised as a “Brooklyn Style Crumb Cake with a delicious layer of homemade salted caramel between the cake and the crumbs.” Oh. My. Goodness. It was delicious.
The homemade caramel was thick and had the perfect amount of salt. The cake was light and fluffy and the crumbs were mounded high. This is a cake I’d be proud to take to a potluck or family dinner.  Because these cakes are all-natural and preservative-free, they should be refrigerated. The cakes can also be frozen and kept for whenever you need a sweet treat.

The Salted Caramel Crumb Cake is available for $27.99

Eat Your Coffee Bars – Founded by coffee deprived college students Johnny Fayad and Ali Kothari, these guys are on a mission to help people find the energy to get stuff done. All of their bars start with a base of tasty ingredients like dates, gluten-free oats, nut butter, and, of course, fair-trade coffee beans.  Not only do the bars taste good, but each bar also contains the same amount of caffeine as one cup of coffee.

The bars are perfect for traveling.  There’s no way you’ll get a cup of coffee through TSA, but you can slip one of these bars into your backpack and still get your caffeine fix. We tried the Chocolate Lovers Bundle, a trio of Peanut Butter Mocha, Fudgy Mocha Latte, and Cocoa Espresso flavors. The bars are vegan, gluten-free, non-GMO, and kosher, but, best of all, they don’t taste like cardboard. I keep a Peanut Butter Mocha bar in my purse to provide a quick pick-me-up when I’m on the go.

A Power Pack Sampler of 10 bars is available for $19.99

The Republic of Tea-believes in “tea revolution.”  Started in 1992, the company has grown to become the leading purveyor of premium teas.  They source their teas from tea gardens around the world, all of which are produced naturally.  The teas undergo quality assurance processes before they are shipped and are inspected again once they arrive at their packing facility.  All of their teas are certified gluten-free and packaged in airtight, light-resistant tins to provide the maximum flavor. Today, The Republic of Tea offers more than 300 teas, herbs, bottled iced teas, and nature-inspired sipware.

Of course, none of this would matter if their teas didn’t taste delicious.  I’ve been a fan of theirs for several years, adding their Holiday Stackable Tin to gift baskets I make each year. The tin includes three favorite seasonal teas; Dream by The Fire Herb Tea, Comfort and Joy Black Tea, and Peppermint Bark Tea Herb Tea.  And, if you have a Downton Abbey fan on your list, this season they can celebrate High Tea in style with one of the Downton Abbey inspired blends.  

The Holiday Tin Stackable is available for $15 and the Downtown Abbey Christmas Tea Bags are available for $12.50.

Alter Eco Chocolate Gift Boxes – Mathieu Senard and Edouard Rollet wanted to create a company based on the four pillars of sustainability; using fair trade principles, producing organic and nonGMO foods, and creating minimal waste. Alter Eco Chocolates was born from these principles.  They use whole, minimally processed ingredients sourced directly from small scale farmers. All of the products are fair-trade certified.

Not only does their chocolate taste good, but allergy sufferers can also find dairy-free and vegan products, gluten-free, soy-free, and nut-free products, along with Paleo products.  Their chocolates are available in bars, truffles, and clusters. Bars come in ten different flavors and range from 47% to 90% cocoa.  Truffles are available in 13 different flavors and are palm oil-free. Clusters are available in four different flavors.  I use the bars as stocking stuffers every year, even slipping myself a Burnt Caramel Bar when Santa isn’t looking!
 –

Alter Eco Chocolate Gift Boxes have an MSRP of $45.

Fresh Farms USA – Do you enjoy farm-fresh goodies? Are you a fan of the farm-to-table movement? Fresh Farms USA is the original farm to family truck, delivering fresh fruit, meat, and vegetables to over 3500 cities across the country.  Fresh Farms works with small farmers, picking up high quality, NonGMO, chemical-free fruit directly from the field. The available items change seasonally to ensure the best in fresh fruit. The fruit doesn’t sit in a warehouse either. As soon as it is picked up, it’s driven to pick-up locations around the country.

Their beef, chicken, and pork products have no added hormones, no artificial ingredients, no added preservatives, and are minimally processed and Non-GMO. If there’s not a pick-up location near you, Fresh Farms USA can ship directly to your door.

Prices vary depending on the items ordered.

The Spice Lab –  This woman-owned and family-run business is my favorite place to find gourmet salt. I use their hickory smoked salt in every batch of green beans I prepare.  But, they sell more than salt.  Over the years they’ve expanded to include seasonings, spices, teas, sugars, and all-natural sugar and salt glass rimmers for cocktails. They even make Pink Himalayan Shot Glasses!

As a family who enjoys year-round grilling, we love the BBQ gift set. It includes 4 seasoning mixes; Bad to the Bone, Sweet Rib Rub, Smokey Pecan Rib Rub, and Ancho Chili & Coffee. These mixes are perfect for pork, chicken, and beef, and can be used in marinades, rubs, or even seasonings for meatloaf.  If your tastes run a little sweeter, the orange sugar can be used to perk up oatmeal, decorate cookies, rim cocktail glasses, and more.
New and experienced cooks will love the variety from The Spice Lab, along with the Special Diet options for Vegan, Keto, Gluten-Free, and Kosher.

The Spice Lab Barbecue Seasoning Set retails for $29.95 and a bottle of Zesty Orange Sugar is $8.00

Wine Insiders –  Do you wish you knew more about wine? Do you stand in front of the wall of wines in the grocery store trying to find a reasonably priced bottle of wine, only to take it home and discover you don’t like the taste? Wine Insiders understands your frustrations.  Their goal is to make shopping for a bottle of wine easy, convenient, fun, and affordable. Working with world-class wineries, they offer forty varietals from fifteen of the top wine regions in the world.

By partnering directly with the wineries, Wine Insiders is able to cut the middle man and pass the savings on to customers. Whether you buy one bottle, six bottles, or twelve bottles, you can browse customer notes and tasting notes before you chose. Once you’ve decided, the wine will be shipped directly to your door. Note: A person 21+ has to be on hand to sign for the delivery. If you prefer, it can be shipped to a FedEx pick-up location. Gift sets are available.  Wine Insiders offers a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee, making it easy to find a wine you’ll love.

Prices vary depending on purchases, but a Wine Insiders 6-Bottle Gift Set ranges in price from $66 to $102.

Dinner of the Month Club – Do you have trouble finding time to plan a date night with your significant other? How about a gourmet dinner and a movie at home? That’s the premise behind the Dinner of the Month Club from Amazing Clubs. Each month you receive all the fixings for an Italian Dinner delivered to your home. The items in the box include a specialty pasta, a premium sauce, and one additional gourmet item, usually a dessert, appetizer, or dipping oil. The club works with award-winning chefs, restaurants, and specialty providers from around the world and believes in using only the finest, all-natural ingredients.

Each meal serves 2 to 4 people, depending on appetite. After dinner, pick out a Redbox movie using the code included in the package. Not sure if you’ll like it? Dinner of the Month Club has a “They’ll love it!” Guarantee. If you are unsatisfied for any reason, call or email and they’ll do everything they can to make you happy. Good food and good service. That’s the reason they’ve been voted the #1 Gift of the Month Clubs by the Wall Street Journal for seven years.

The Dinner of the Month Club is available in a three-month subscription or quarterly subscriptions for $28.95 a month. Six months and twelve months are also available.

Sugarlands Shine – Moonshine has evolved since the days of stills hidden in the Tennessee hills.  Sugarlands Distilling Company, opened in 2014, has developed a line of award-winning Moonshine, Whiskey, Rum, and Sippin’ Creams in flavors that beg you to take a sip.  They’ve partnered with the Discovery Channel’s Moonshiners Legends to produce some of their favorite blends,  and, as the Official Moonshine of Nascar, have a limited edition Talladega 50th Anniversary Corn Whiskey.  Want to try something a little more outlandish? Try the Maple Bacon Moonshine, part of the Outlandish Series. It makes the perfect Maple Bacon Bloody Mary. And, I’m all about topping it with the Butterscotch Gold Moonshine candied bacon.

We tried the Dark Chocolate Coffee Sippin’ Cream, a smooth liqueur made with a combination of milk, coffee, and dark chocolate.  It can be enjoyed alone or added to cocktails and desserts. We have plans to try the Campfire Cocoa Coffee recipe using both the Chocolate Sippin’ Cream and the Butterscotch Gold Moonshine asap!
Visiting the Gatlinburg area? Stop by their store in Downtown Gatlinburg to partake in tastings, take a free tour of the still house, or enjoy one of Sugarlands famous cocktails in their Cocktail Kitchen.

Sugarlands Sippin’ Moonshine is available for $25 a quart.

Need More Gifts? Check Out All of Our 2019 Gift Guides.

2019 Holiday Gift Guide

2019 Book Lovers Gift Guide