The holidays will be here soon and you know what that means; gift giving. It can be daunting finding the perfect present. Realizing that, we’ve got you covered with our annual Foodie Holiday Gift Guide. This is my favorite of our holiday gift guides because of …food and cute kitchen accessories. Who doesn’t enjoy sampling gourmet goodies or finding the perfect appliance to make their life easier?

Remember, foodie gifts are always in good taste.  Sorry, couldn’t resist. We’ve got gifts for the Gourmet, the Dessert Lover, and the Cook or Baker. If you’re a whiz in the kitchen or even if you aren’t it never hurts to treat yourself. Be sure to add some of these goodies to your wishlist too!

Foodie Holiday Gift Guide 2018

We all have the one person in our family who loves to bake. Pies, cakes, cookies, and other desserts are their specialty. They’re the ones you know will be on your doorstep with a homemade treat. Help them create a little magic in the kitchen with one of our Gifts For the Baker.

1. The Spice Lab– Nothing perks up a meal like gourmet salt and the Spice Lab delivers. I’ve been a huge fan of the gourmet salts for years, using them on everything from homemade caramels to green beans. Shhh. Their applewood smoked salt is the secret ingredient in my beans. Over the years this woman-owned and family run business has expanded to include teas, rubs, seasoning blends, spices, and more. Their latest offerings include new all natural sugars, made in small batches with high-quality ingredients and shipped in adorable French glass jars. Flavors like Expresso and Tropical Hibiscus make any dish special. Their seasonings include taste sensations like Spicy Tumeric, which adds a depth of flavor to chicken and pork, Chorizo, great for spiced nuts or roasted potatoes, and one of our family favorites, Everything+More seasoning. It makes bagels and cream cheese or dips have an extra zing. Even their “every day” spices like celery salt contain gourmet Hudson Valley salt. Make a Spice Lab gift basket for that someone special in your life. Maybe they’ll invite you over for dinner.

Expresso Sugar and Tropical Hibiscus in a French Jar starts at $8.00.

2. Nielsen-Massey -Using quality flavors in your baking will produce quality results. That’s where Nielsen-Massey, a purveyor of “Fine Vanillas and Flavors” for over 100 years comes into play. This family has been dedicated to crafting flavorings renowned for their purity and quality for three generations. I always have a bottle of their vanilla extract in my cabinet for whenever I feel the need to create a dessert. I’m partial to their Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract because it is considered an all-purpose vanilla, but I also enjoy their Mexican Vanilla with its sweet creamy flavor. Their new line of organic extracts in flavors like orange, peppermint, lemon, and almond are ideal for people suffering from allergies. These all natural extracts are non-GMO, USDA Organic, Kosher-Certified, Gluten-Free Certified, and allergen-free. Nielsen-Massey also offers flavor pastes, sugars, and whole vanilla beans.

Flavorings are available in 2-ounce glass containers and range in price. A 2-ounce bottle of Organic Pure Lemon Extract costs around $14.00.

3. Golden Blossom Honey– Honey is a basic staple to keep in the kitchen at all times. It can be used for everything from replacing the sugar in drinks and desserts to making a glaze or marinade for meat and vegetables. One of my favorite uses for honey is drizzled over cheese on a charcuterie plate.  It’s a tip I learned several years ago from the former editor of Bon Appetit and author of  Taste of Honey,  Marie Simmons.  Golden Blossom Honey has products that work with every bakers’ needs, from their Premium Pure USA Honey, made from a mixture of 3 different kinds of honey and sourced in the US to their Organic White Forest Honey, a blend of three different types of honey sourced from Brazil. They also produce a special Raw Honey, Honey Mustard, and Maple Syrup.  All of their products are naturally gluten-free with no added preservatives.  Golden Blossom Honey would make a great addition to a holiday gift basket.

Golden Blossom Honey is available in 24 and 40 ounces size. A 24-ounce bottle costs approximately $7.99.

4. T-Fal Airbake Premium Nonstick Large Cookie Sheet–  Cookie swaps are a time-honored holiday tradition. If you’re tired of burned bottoms and underbaked tops, the T-Fal Airbake Cookie sheet is for you. This cookie sheet is guaranteed to prevent burning. Made with a micro-dome top that bakes 15% faster and is guaranteed not to rust, this is my go-to cookie sheet.  The premium nonstick surface means removing cookies from the sheet is a breeze and because it is dishwasher safe, clean-up is a breeze. As a bonus, the large size means I can bake more cookies at the same time, cutting down on the time I spend in the kitchen.

T-Fal products are available on Amazon.com and at Target.com. The Cookie Sheet is approximately $16.99.

For The Cookbook Lover:

Do you have a friend or relative who collects cookbooks? Here’s a few they will be happy to include in their collections.

5. The New Southern Cookbook by Pam Wattenbarger– Ok, this is my cookbook and I am a little biased. However, if you enjoy Southern food but need adaptions to create Gluten-free, Vegan, or Dairy-Free meals The New Southern Cookbook: Classic Recipes and Modern Twists on Old Favorites is the book for you. We’ve featured 100 classic family recipes, most with adaption tips included. The book is divided into 10 chapters, with everything from appetizers to desserts. All of the recipes use ingredients that are easy to find or that you probably have on hand. We’ve also added humorous family stories, cooking tips, and foodie trivia. The book was created in a chatty tone, designed to make readers feel as if they are visiting with us in our kitchen. Whether you’re Southern, enjoy Southern food, or just want an introduction to Southern cooking, you’ll find simple step by step recipes to nourish your family.

The New Southern Cookbook retails for $19.99.

6. The All-New Official SEC Tailgating Cookbook– Anyone who lives in the South knows football is considered THE major sport. Every fall weekend you’ll find almost everyone rooting for their favorite high school or college football team. If you’re lucky or if your child attends an SEC school, you’ll find yourself at a tailgating party. Tailgating is taken seriously here. Besides the game, it’s the most important event on a Saturday. You bring your best dishes to impress your friends. But what if you need a slight edge? That’s where The All-New Official SEC Tailgating Cookbook: Great Food, Legendary Teams, Cherished Traditions by the editors of Southern Living comes into play. This cookbook features recipes from every SEC school with chapter titles like “Hail, State! More Cowbell!” It’s a Mississippi State Reference. You can bet at the next game day I’ll be there with my Ultimate Bully Burgers and Maroon and White Butter cookies. Included in the book are fun tidbits and history from each school as well as decorating tips to make your tailgate one to remember. It’s the perfect gift for any SEC football fan or Southern cook.

The All-New Official SEC Tailgating Cookbook retails for $24.99.

7. Vegan Junk Food by Lane Gold– Until I had a child who was deathly allergic to dairy products, I didn’t attempt to prepare vegan food. The sad fact was she couldn’t eat any of the fun snacks her friends were eating. No chocolate. No cupcakes. That’s when I discovered she could eat some of these foods if we adapted recipes for her. Vegan Junk Food: 200+ Vegan Recipes for The Foods You Crave Minus The Ingredients You don’t helps us allow her to have these treats. There’s everything from rich desserts like Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Ganache to fun snacks like loaded nachos. I’ve found plenty of “everyday” dishes too, like Macaroni and Cheese. Some of the ingredients, like jackfruit, might be a little difficult to find if you don’t live in an area with access to a specialty market like Whole Foods. These recipes are also likely to be a little pricier to make than the regular versions because Vegan ingredients cost more no matter where you purchase them. If you need or want to eat vegan, this cookbook has delicious recipes that allow you to indulge your cravings without the guilt.

The Vegan Junk Food Cookbook retails for $18.99.

8. The Southern Living Party Cookbook by Elizabeth Heiskell. Here’s a secret. I absolutely love Southern Living Cookbooks and am a huge fan of the magazine. That’s why I was thrilled to receive The Southern Living Party Cookbook: A Modern Guide To Entertaining. If you live in the South, you’re familiar with all of the celebrations with friends and family in which we participate. This book, divided into five sections, is designed to incorporate all of these events. The book begins with a hosting handbook which includes a guide to party favors and hostess gifts, etiquette, buffet tips, and even the proper glasses for toasting. The chapters cover the gauntlet of Southern events, with sections devoted to teas, coffees, and receptions, brunches and luncheons, drinks, cookouts, and celebrations and dinners. You’ll find classic recipes from Ham rolls, those mouthwatering mini sandwiches you find at any good Southern party, to barbequed chicken. There’s also new soon-to-be-classic recipes like Prosecco-Elderflower Cocktail. Scattered throughout the book you’ll find cooking hints and tips, along with instructions on how to make charming succulent centerpieces and more. It’s a gift any Southern cook would love to receive.
The Southern Living Party Cookbook retails for $35.00.

Gifts for the Cook:

9.  Fini Cutlery-Developed by Chefs, Fini Cutlery is a revolutionary new design in knives. The handles are smaller than found on traditional knives to provide a “balance forward” design. This unique design naturally guides your hand into the proper grip, providing a safer and easier cooking experience. Many people don’t realize the quality of the knife can be found in the steel. Fini uses German Forged 4116 stainless steel which helps resist staining and corrosion. Their blades are hand sharpened to a 20-degree cutting angle to help keep them sharp. No one wants to work with a dull knife. Fini has a selection of the essential knives needed in the kitchen, with everything from the classic Chef’s knife to Paring knives. This is a great gift for everyone from the aspiring chef to the experienced cook.

The Fini Cutlery Gift Box retails for $110.00

10. Colavita Olive Oil– Founded in 1938 in a small village in Italy, this company has been in the Colavita family for three generations. They expanded production to the global market in 1979 and have been delighting customers with quality olive oil and other products ever since. Today, their olive oil market has expanded to include The World Collection, a variety of oils collected from olives around the world.  We tried the 100% Greek Classic, a smooth blend pressed from Koroneiki and Kalamata olives grown in the Crete and Sparta regions of Greece, and the 100% Argentinian, a fruity oil pressed from a blend of Arbequino, Coratina and Manzanilla olive cultivars grown in the Catamarca and Mendoza regions of Argentina. If you think there is not a difference in olive oils, think again. The smooth rich flavor of Colavita shines through in all sorts of dishes.  This would be a welcome addition to a pasta gift basket.

The Greek Classic Olive Oil retails for $12 for a 25.5-ounce bottle and The Argentinian Classic Olive Oil retails for $10.45 for a 25.5-ounce bottle.

11. Bialetti Pasta Pot– Pasta is a family favorite in our house. Unfortunately, with a daughter who has Celiac, I usually have to prepare two pots; one regular and one gluten-free. I make my life easier with the Bialetti Pasta Pot. The oval shape fits any type of pasta, and the nonstick interior provides easy clean-up.  With this pot, there’s no digging through the cabinets trying to find strainers or accidental waste if some of the pasta falls in the sink. The lid provides easy drainage and helps keep the pasta warm until ready to serve.  The pots come in several colors, from Coastal Blue to Black Raspberry, making the pot pretty enough to use for serving.  Because the pot is dishwasher safe, it’s easy to clean up after dinner too!

The 5.5 quart Bialetti Pasta Pot retails for $29.99.

12. 20-Cup (Cooked) Digital Rice Cooker, Food Steamer & Slow Cooker/strong> – Let’s face it. There are some days we don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen preparing a meal. With this new Multicooker from Aroma, you can cook up to 70% faster than conventional cooking. That’s a win for me! The features on the multicooker allow lots of flexibility with cooking. The programmable digital controls allow me to use the device as a slow cooker, a pressure cooker, a rice cooker, and a steamer. Another button allows me to saute, then simmer without resorting to using additional dishes and extra time. There’s even a 15-hour delay feature so that I can set the cooker and forget it!  At only 8 1/2 pounds, it’s easy to transport the multicooker to potlucks, tailgating and holiday parties.  This is a great gift for anyone,  including college students who need a small appliance for their dorm.

The 20-Cup (Cooked) Digital Rice Cooker, Food Steamer & Slow Cooker retails for $59.99.

Gifts for the Entertainer

13. The Cordial Cherry-  Everyone knows that chocolate covered cherries are a holiday staple.  The Cordial Cherry has elevated the lowly chocolate covered cherry to a gourmet level. The cherries are made using the owner’s Grandmother’s secret recipe and designed in the most beautiful hand-sculpted shapes, each one a work of art. We received the 9 piece Christmas Eve Cordial Cherry set. It arrived in a lovely French toile gift box, tied with twine and decorated with fresh greenery. Inside were cherries shaped into adorable Christmas shapes, including a Santa Claus, a Reindeer, and a Christmas Elf.  The Cordial Cherry doesn’t just make items for Christmas. They’ve got adorable cherries for every occasion, including cherries shaped like puppies and kittens.  If chocolate covered cherries aren’t your thing, they also offer caramels, chocolate covered fruits, chocolate covered “somethings” like biscotti and marshmallows, along with fudge.

A 9 piece Christmas Eve Cordial Cherry Set retails for $29.99.

14. CucinaPro Magnetic Cheese Board– Serving a variety of cheeses is one of my secrets for easy holiday party planning. Add some thinly sliced meats,  some nuts, and some fruit and you have a fancy charcuterie.  This cheese board makes it easy to serve the charcuterie in style.  Made from 100% Acacia wood, the CucinaPro Magnetic Cheese plate has a magnetic strip to hold the four included cheese knives in place when not in use. The slate is removable for easy cleanup. Chalk is included if you would like to write the names of the cheeses on the slate. CucinaPro is known for their “Quality Products for the Gourmet Chef, Priced for the Everyday Cook.” Whether you’re an inexperienced cook or a gourmet, CucinaPro has something for everyone.

The CucinaPro Magnetic Cheese Board retails for $49.99

Gifts for the Snacker

15. Fuego Gift Box – If you have a family member who loves hot sauce as much as my daughter, you need to check out the Fuego Hot Sauce of the Month Club.  Seriously, this is one of her favorite gifts.  Available by individual boxes customized to different heat levels, or by subscriptions of one, six, or twelve months, Fuego ships two or three bottles of small-batch craft hot sauce directly to your door. There’s also the option to choose a one-time purchase gift box.  We received two boxes; one was the Fuego Mellow box, a one-time purchase. It included a 5 ounces bottle of Fat Cat Surprisingly Mild Guajillo Ghost Sauce, a 5 ounces bottle of Hotmaple Smokey Habanero sauce, and a 5 ounces bottle of Jersey Barnfire’s Black Garlic sauce. We also received coupons for $10 off a Hot Sauce Club subscription and a card describing the three sauces. I barely had time to sample the sauces before my daughter claimed them for herself.  Our other box, the Blazing BBQ Box, was designed to fit our year-round grilling habit.  This box included Born to Hula Imperial Apple BBQ Sauce, Infinity Sauce Chipotle Hot Sauce, AlbuKirky Seasonings, Anchonero Hot Rub, Saint Lucifer Jalapeño Table Spice, Defcon Sauces Defense Condition #2 – Medium Wing Sauce, and an apron for the grillmaster. All of these goodies were packed in an exclusive Fuego Wooden Crate that will be cute to use in the future for storage.  Let the tailgating festivities begin!

The Blazing BBQ Box is available for $49.99 and the Fuego Mellow Box is available for $29.99.

16. Mrs. Renfro’s Salsa-A family owned business for over 78 years, the Renfro’s provide plenty of options for the serious snacker. With choices ranging from salsa, relish, peppers, cheese sauce, and barbecue sauce, you’re sure to find something for everyone. Their salsas are the perfect choice for dipping at holiday parties. Available in a range of flavors, they provide options of everything from mild and fruity, like their signature peach salsa, to the extreme, like the new California Reaper Reap the Heat Salsa, which comes with a HOT!!! warning. My new favorite is the Craft Beer Salsa, made from Texas Red American Amber Ale. These salsas aren’t just for dipping! Use them as a base for chili, as marinades, or as a base ingredient in dips. Mrs. Renfro’s products are available online and can be shipped directly to your door.

Mrs. Renfro’s Salsas range in price from $3.95 to $4.95 a jar.

17. Olbas Herbal Tea– Sometimes during the holiday season, with all the stress and activities, it’s easy to feel under the weather. That’s where Olbas Herbal Tea comes into play. Made in Switzerland, this tea is a blend of 20 essential herbs enhanced with essential oils. Naturally gluten-free and caffeine-free, Olbas is easy to prepare. Just add a teaspoon to a cup of hot water and stir until dissolved, then relax and enjoy. They also produce herbal cough drops, which are great to keep in your purse or car.

A package of two (7-ounce) Olbas Herbal Teas retails for $29.00 on Amazon.

18. Tender Belly Signature Pork Jerky-Who doesn’t love pork? At least that’s what my husband asks me on a regular basis. Tender Belly believes to have great pork you need to be “certified awesome.” They believe in a high standard of quality; using heritage breed hogs (like Berkshire and Duroc,) who have been raised by one of their partner family farms. These 250 farms, located across the Central and Southwestern US, raise the hogs with humane conditions. They have access to the outdoors, plenty of food and water, and a vegetarian diet. These hogs are never given antibiotics, growth hormones, or animal by-products. We tried their newest product the Tender Belly Signature Pork Jerky, made with the same delicious high-quality ingredients you find in their bacon and ham. You really can taste the difference in flavor! And, for that special someone, you can have jerky delivered every month.

Tender Belly Signature Pork Jerky retails for $7.95 per 2.15 ounce package.

Do you have a foodie in the family who would enjoy one of these gifts? Remember, it’s okay to want these for yourself too!