Gifts For The Cook And Kitchen

 The holidays will be different this year. Yet gift giving will remain the same. Food gifts are always welcome . Home chefs and bakers always appreciate something new and fun to try. 

The New York Times Food section yesterday published a short but excellent guide on what to give. Contributors such as Sam Sifton and Mrgaux laskey give their ideas along with Anna Perling and Marguerite Preston. Food is always a must. It's a fun diversion and perfect for those new at home Zoom Christmas party. A must is a Vermont cheese basket. The Jasper Hill Vermonter basket has not only mouth watering fromage from the Green Mountain State, it also comes with nuts and crackers. Another cheesy gift is from the Plymouth Artisan Cheese Company that's been making raw milk cheddar since 1890. For those who love a dash of fire give a horseradish and ginger spiked hot sauce from  Shaquanda Will Feed You. The company has other flavorful hot sauces such as a seafood green sauce, spiked with both sweet and fiery. A less tongue searing present is a jar from the unique Trade Street Jam Company. This Brooklyn company offers such cool flavors as smoked peach and strawberry chipotle fig. Of course this is the year for beans so why don't  you send Rancho Gordo's heirloom beans from America's West Coast growers in Oregon, Washington and California. Sweet lovers will appreciate Mah-Ze-Dahr's brownies and a gingerbread house making kit.

Home chefs always appreciate a kitchen gift. The Teakhaus Carving Board is perfect for those who do a lot of chopping and slicing  as it stands up to cuts, stains and odors. You may want to pair it with an electric pellet grill from Traegar Pro which can smoke all sorts of meats. It is pricey though at almost eight hundred dollars. For something much less expensive think Kuving EVO juicer which can produce all sorts of delicious juices. Bakers will appreciate the Emile Henry  nine inch pie dish for the perfect dessert.  There are fun gifts too like the Whynter ICM 201S ice cream maker which can make everything from classic ice cream to frozen yogurt. They can mop up the mess with the super cute Cheerful Sponges in fruit  and veggie shapes.Also think about fun reusable straws from OXO. They're made from stainless steel and even come with a brush for cleaning.  For more practical gifts think reusable sandwich bags in bright colors, perfect for lone hikes and walks in the park along with beer glasses which enhance any beer's flavor. A truly lovely gift is a plastic mat for the kitchen floor from France. It may be vinyl but looks and feels like classic linoleum. 

The holidays will be different this year. Gift giving won't be. Pick something fun for the chefs and food lovers in your life.

Inclusion Dining And Shopping

Owning a restaurant right now is tough.It's even more difficult if you're a minority, whether by race or religious beliefs and trying to hold on to your dream. It's a little better when you have a product to sell, but still hard. What can we do? Support.

It's amazing and disgusting that diners  still want to eat in fancy restaurants in upscale neighborhoods. Sometimes the food isn't even that great.It's just the in spot to be seen or there's a new way that they present a classic dish. The best foods and probably the most exciting come from those in the fringe neighborhoods. I've discovered this with Paterson, New Jersey. There are literally dozens of eateries owned by minorities. They may not be in the fanciest of neighborhoods or attract local A listers but they do offer a variety of good food. These are more family owned places offering recipes that sometimes go back generations. These are worth visiting, especially with the indoor dining restrictions being lifted, here in New Jersey. Check out the big cities in your area and start looking at Yelp and Google Restaurant guides for these restaurants in your area. If there's no outdoor seating, there's sure to be pick up. Call them for lunch or dinner and then make sure to leave a review with pictures on Yelp or the restaurant's website.

Minority food businesses have also suffered during this time.In some ways they have it easier than restaurants and cafes because a store can buy in bulk from them. Yet, it can be difficult trying to get your name out there. There is also the problem of not having enough funds and banks are often reluctant to help African-American entrepreneurs. Again if we can support them and buy  their products, that's a very small step in solidarity.  African-Americans own a huge swath of food and alcohol businesses. They bring with them tradition and innovation. There's Essie Bartel's spice company, inspired by her Ghanian mother's kitchen spices. These are artesenal with influences mostly from Africa and the Caribbean but also from around the world. Olive oil enthusiasts may appreciate Skyler and her Calabrian husband Giuseppe's blends of different olives from their company EXAU. One company that's on the radar these day is Trade Street Jam Company from Brooklyn. The flavors are smoked yellow peach and plum and rose made by creator Ashley Rouse. African Americans are also getting into the wine business. Look for Love Cork Screw which features vegan vintages. It was created by Chrishon Lampley and the company has all sorts of whites and reds.

The best way towards solidarity is supporting each other.We can be inclusive by visiting restaurants and buying from minority businesses. It's a great way of expanding our mindsets and palates.