Shopping for foodies can be tough. Do they really need more appliances? What cookbooks do they already have? What about a gift voucher for an experience they'll never forget? Or something simple they'll use everyday and be reminded of you?
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Merry Christmas to all our food mad readers. May you find a gift you like under the tree this year. And I'd be most grateful for anything on this list.
In a spin
Summer means salads and this OXO Good Grips salad spinner has all the features. The spinning basket doubles as a colander, the non-slip base prevents skidding and the durable dish moves seamlessly to the table. Dishwasher safe. $99.95.
This intricately detailed loaf pan from Nordic Ware features Santa's sleigh, complete with reindeer, beautifully embossed into the premium heavy-duty aluminium tin. The non-stick interior helps with baking and makes cleanup a breeze. Watch dessert fly. $99.95.
Mini me
I can see many uses for Chasseur's mini cocotte set. A set of four in pretty pastel hues, perfect for sweet and savoury recipes. Serve them straight to the table, they're oven-safe up to 220C and easy to care for. Baked eggs and ham for sure. $199.
Wine club
The Halliday Wine Club offers three tiers of memberships. Explorer (from $89/month) offers medal-winning wines suitable for everyday drinking. Enthusiast (from $139/month) is designed for enthusiasts and aficionados. Collectors ($300-400/month) can indulge in the very best.
Gin-gle bells
Four Pillars head distiller Cameron Mackenzie places homemade puddings into the basket of the still, allowing the gin to steam and absorb all that rich pudding goodness. The resulting gin smells like gin and tastes like Christmas. $100 (700ml).
Classy glass
We're loving this beautiful stripey decanter from glass artists Ben Edols via the Canberra Glassworks. His "streamer decanter" is hand-blown glass, made in Canberra. From $440. An investment piece. Pair it with "continuum platter" by Jacqueline Knight and Edol's "cane bowl".
For a cause
The third cookbook from Two Good Co pays homage a core belief that having less time or money should never mean less love and nourishment. More than 100 recipes from the likes of Kylie Kwong and Matt Moran plus many more. Change the Course. $45.
Making memories
Matt Preston's memoir is the food book you didn't know you needed this Christmas. A story of family and food memories and his time in the public eye. Like Preston himself, it is joyous, funny and larger than life. Big Mouth: a memoir, by Matt Preston. Viking. $34.99.
Takes the cake
2024 will be the year I get organised to cook every one of Tilly Pamment's cakes. There's nothing plain about them. Simple, delicious, seasonal offerings for every week of the year. The Plain Cake Appreciation Society: 52 weeks of cake, by Tilly Pamment. Murdoch Books. $39.99.
Spick and pan
This IronClad L'il Legacy 20cm cast-iron pan is the perfect size for all sorts of dishes. $199.
Festive fizz
The Drinkmate OmniFizz carbonates any beverage from juice to wine, even flat beer. $109.99.
Pint-size power
This little Kenwood MultiPro Go food processor has all the functions of larger models.
Precision bakes
Kenwood's Titanium Chef Baker XL standmixer allows you to weigh ingredients as you go. $599.
Breakfast beauties
These Canberra-made bowls ($30.80) and milk jug ($26.50) from Bopdotz are rather calming.
Joe on the go
Beans and pods by Redbrick Coffee ($18 and $12) and Canberra Thinks You're Boring Too drink bottle by North dot South. $45.
Boxing Day brekkie
Maple and cinnamon granola from Ellie May's Homemade Goods. $25.
Stuck on you
A little piece of Canberra for your fridge, or anywhere really, via fan-favourite Trevor Dickinson. $10.
Dough nuts
You don't even have to bake this cookie dough from DessertMaster's Anna Polyviou. $9.95.
Serve in style
Stainless steel salad servers from Maggie Beer, finished with Italian olive wood handles. $49.95.
So French
The Toujours range of Laguiole by Louis Thiers takes cutlery to another level. $349.
Get your loved one a voucher for one of Anneka Manning's BakeClub classes at Milton's Milkhaus. From $50.