The Foodie Gift Guide is one of my favorite posts to write each year. Since I spend a lot of time in the kitchen, I’m always happy to test products that make my life easier or add a touch of elegance to my kitchen. This year I’ve found some beautiful kitchenware, useful kitchen gadgets, and cookbooks to please the pickiest of critics. If you’re a cook or baker or know someone who is, the handpicked items in the  Foodie Holiday Gift Guide 2020 are for you.

Foodie Gift Guide 2020

We’ve divided our guide into three sections, useful kitchen gadgets, beautiful kitchenware, and cookbooks.

Useful Kitchen Gadgets

The Negg Hard-Boiled Egg Peeler– If you live in the South, you know a platter of deviled eggs is a must at any social gathering. But, for those of us assigned to bring the eggs, you know the struggle is real when trying to get a perfectly peeled egg. Either the eggshell yanks off a portion of the eggwhite or the shell has to be scraped away in bits.

The Negg solves this problem. It’s simple to use this handy little device. Add a small amount of water and an egg to The Negg and shake 4 to 12 times. Poof! The shell slides off. Not only does it create an egg you’ll be proud to serve, but the shaking motion helps (me, at least) relieve stress.
In a hurry and don’t have time to whip up your secret family recipe for deviled eggs? The Negg company offers deviled egg seasoning mixes in tempting flavors like Classic, Cajun, Curry, and Smoky Ham.

Smore Fun Pack Roasting Bundle– One of our family’s favorite fall activities is crowding around the firepit and roasting marshmallows for smores. But, there’s a few problems with this. Marshmallows fall off the stick and sticky marshmallow goop is messy. Thanks to the S’more Fun Pack Roasting Bundle, making smores is fun again. The Reach N’Roll, shaped like a cute bear paw, holds up to 3 marshmallows and extends up to 34 inches, making it safe for the 4-year-old to roast her own. The unique design turns, ensuring marshmallows cook evenly and don’t go up in flames.

The S’more Builder gives kids (and grownups) a chance to build their S’more without touching the marshmallow. If you’ve ever made s’mores with a child, you’ll appreciate this no-mess approach. No sticky fingers, no burns, and no marshmallow gunk scattered everywhere. It’s the perfect gift for frequent campers or anyone who enjoys outdoor evening by the fire.

Handlenvy– Have you ever reached into the oven to grab a cast-iron skillet and burned your hand? Maybe it’s my flimsy potholders or my slippery silicone grips, but this often happened to me. Thankfully, I’ve found the solution with the Handlenvy, an all-leather pan-handle cover for cast iron pans. These durable covers are handstitched and can be slipped over most skillet handles to make touching pan-handles simple and safe.

Whether cooking on the stovetop or the oven, you can use the Handlenvy. For stovetop use, the Handlenvy can be slipped onto skillets and left while cooking. For oven use, just slip the device over the handle before removing the pan. Handlenvys are flat, so they’re easy to store in a drawer or on a hook from the wall until needed, saving valuable kitchen space. The Handlenvy is ‘Handmade with love’ in Tennessee. There’s also a Handlenvy for Iron Skillet Handles.

The First Visual Grocery List– If you are like me, you need a grocery list to remember what to buy. Usually, I’d tack a piece of paper on the fridge and scrawl down items I saw we needed. That changed when I received the First Visual Grocery List. It’s a picture grocery list of commonly used ingredients in categories like vegetables, fruits, meats, and more, along with lined spaces on the right to jot down notes. Each pad has 50 tear-off sheets and a sturdy magnet on the back that keeps it firmly attached to the fridge.

This list makes my life easier and allows the 4-year-old to help with shopping. She can circle the picture of needed items or look at a picture of an item and find it in the store. It engages her with meal prep, teaches real-life skills, and saves time for me. Plus, the large size makes it easy to find the list in my purse, a total win.

Rover Wine Tumbler– My daughter has several loves, but two of her favorite activities are a glass of wine in the evening after work and snuggling with her dog. I knew I had found the perfect gift for her when I spotted this “Hold my wine. I need to pet this dog.” insulated tumbler from Rover. Made from double-wall stainless steel, this 12-ounce tumbler has copper vacuum insulation, a stainless steel rim, and a clear lid that stays in place.

The sleek black and white design is a fun addition to almost any kitchen. Mugs can be purchased individually, in sets, or in a 4 pack. Four different sayings are available, including, “Drink wine. Pet dog. Repeat.” “Rose and play with dogs all day.” and “I work hard so my dog can live the dream.”

Beautiful Kitchenware

Shantiva Copper Pitcher– While I’ve read about the health benefits of drinking copper-infused water, I was drawn to the beauty of this pitcher. Handcrafted and available in two sizes, 1.5 liters, and 2.1 liters, this shimmery pitcher is a must for any well-dressed table. Little details, like the brass knob atop the lid, the hand-hammered copper to ensure more of the surface touches water, or the handle welded to the pitcher to ensure it’s leak-free and water-tight, show the quality and care used in the creation process. This is a keepsake we will pass down through generations.

Don’t limit this pitcher to just water! It would be a lovely addition to any party. I’m a fan of companies who give back. Shantiva is devoted to providing clean water to developing world communities. They donate 15% of their profits to non-profit groups who help with this cause. The functionality, beauty, and community of Shantiva will make this a welcome gift to any foodie.

Embossed Rolling Pin from Embossed Co.– Baking desserts is my specialty. I can craft a great-tasting dessert, but sometimes they don’t look as good as they taste. That changed when I received my embossed rolling pin from Embossed Co. It makes my pies, bars, cookies, and crusts look like works of art. But, don’t think you’re limited to using the pin for desserts! Use it to create pasta or even take it out of the kitchen to use with clay.

These pins are true works of art I’m proud to hang in my kitchen. Made from a hand-carved piece of beech wood, these laser-detailed pins are available in six patterns; leaves, paisley, paw prints, reindeer, snowflakes, or a floral design. Another company that gives back, Embossed Co. donates 15% of their profits to several non-profit organizations that work to supply healthy meals to malnourished families in impoverished communities in developing countries. By purchasing an Embossed Rolling Pin, you’ll make 2020 a little brighter for your favorite baker and help others too!

Moscow Muled Copper Mugs– These hand-hammered mugs, designed with 100% high-grade food-safe copper, add a sense of elegance to the most ho-hum meal. Produced using traditional methods, each one of these 16-ounce mugs, is a work of art. You can see the quality in the details, like welded handles, instead of riveted, to ensure there’s no leakage and the slight differences in each mug showing it’s a true artisan creation. Even if you don’t drink alcohol, these mugs, with the stainless steel interior to keep drinks cool, are perfect for entertaining or sipping a favorite juice drink, iced coffee, or tea.

Another company you can feel good about purchasing from, Moscow Muled donates 15% of their profit to several non-profit organizations that work to stop impaired driving. If you’ve never tried a Moscow Mule and are eager to do so, check out the Moscow Muled Blog for delicious recipes.

NoBox Chef-Knife – A good-quality Chef Knife is a must in any kitchen and is one of the go-to kitchen tools I recommend in my cookbooks. Since I spend a lot of time creating recipes, I’m always on the lookout for a good knife. Having purchased an incredibly expensive knife-set for my son’s college culinary classes, I can tell when I’m receiving quality and value. The NoBox Chef Knife meets my approval. It has it all; an 8-inch forged stainless steel blade, an ergonomic handle, and a lifetime warranty.

The NoBox Chef knife is built for use in traditional indoor cooking methods, like carving, slicing, chopping, filleting, or cutting, as well as rugged outdoor conditions, like backcountry camping. It even has its own durable sheath and can easily be attached to a belt. I like the feel of this knife, how easy it is to grip, and how the blade remains sharp after use. While I’m not planning on any camping adventures, this knife has earned a permanent position in my kitchen.

Cookbooks

The Unofficial Hogwarts for the Holidays Cookbook by Rita Mock-Pike. If you’re a fan of the Harry Potter series, you’ve probably wanted to join the Christmas feast (or one of the other celebrations) at Hogwarts. Who can’t conjure up the Great Hall filled with tables of tempting treats?
With Ms. Mock-Pike’s book, you’ll find 75 classic treats inspired by the books. We’re talking everything from treacle tarts to cockroach clusters to pumpkin pasties. Full-color photos and easy step-by-step directions mean even us Muggles can partake in these Hogwarts classics.

The Unofficial Disney Parks Cookbook by Ashley Craft – If COVID-19 has you missing your Disney fix, take a glance at this cookbook. With 100 recipes to help you recreate all your favorite goodies, you can revisit the Magic Kingdom in your own kitchen. Classic recipes like Dole Whip and Mickey Pretzels are included, along with new recipes, like Blue Milk, inspired by the Star Wars movies. Ready to have the “Happiest Kitchen on Earth?” Grab a copy and get cooking!

The New Southern Cookbook by Pam and Brittany Wattenbarger- If you enjoy classic Southern food, but want or need Gluten-free, Vegan, or Dairy-Free meals, The New Southern Cookbook is the book for you. We’ve gathered 100 classic family recipes passed down through generations and updated them to include allergy-friendly variations. With easy-to-find ingredients, humorous family stories, cooking tips, and food trivia, it’s a fun read. Whether you’re Southern, enjoy Southern food, or just want an introduction to Southern cooking, you’ll find 100 recipes to nourish your family.

The Southern Air Fryer Cookbook by Pam and Brittany Wattenbarger – If you like fried Southern classics-fried green tomatoes, fried chicken, and sausage balls- but not the calories, this is the book for you. We’ve devoted a chapter to air-fryer basics, added air-fryer cooking charts, and several seasoning mixes with variations that can be used on almost any main dish, along with 75 recipes in categories from appetizers to desserts. This is our newest book, published in July 2020.

That’s it! Some of my favorite kitchen items for 2020. I hope you enjoy them as much as my family does. Do you have a hard-to-buy-for friend or relative? Which of these foodie gifts do you think they might enjoy?