Gifts for Gourmets

I’m a happy shopper at any time of year, but my favourite trips are the ones that take place in early December when the shops are decked out in their festive finery and you have the excuse to splurge on your nearest and dearest. I love buying presents for my food-loving friends most of all, especially the ones that you know will invite you round for dinner in the new year so they can put the new gifts into action!

The continuing popularity of celebrity chefs and cookery programmes has been reflected in the bounty of food-themed presents in the shops this year with Debenhams and Procook offering some real treasures. I’m ashamed to say that I only recently discovered the cookery department of TK Maxx, but what a revelation! Along with some great bakeware and gift sets, they unexpectedly had some quite specialist cake decorating tools too.

Another hidden gem at Festival Place is the food hall at M&S, tucked away in the basement. I’ll quite often put together a package of presents for people – for example, a book on cocktail making with some stylish martini glasses and a tipple or two – and M&S is often my final stop for the edible additions.

Finally, a visit to Waterstones is always an essential part of my shopping routine – there’s something about being able to flick through the books to get an idea of an author’s style and their recipes that you just can’t replicate by browsing online.

My top 5 gifts for gourmets

For the perfectionist baker – This clever rolling pin from Joseph Joseph has adjustable disks on the ends that allow you to control the thickness of your pastry to the nearest millimetre (£20 from Debenhams). It also has a handy size guide along the length, making it perfect for precision rolling of your Christmas cake icing.

For the stylish home cook – This cute vintage pie set from Jamie Oliver will look almost as good empty on a shelf as it will full of pie on the table (£9.99 from TK Maxx). Perfect for fashionable foodies.

For the busy entertainer – This cheese baker makes a stylish present for people that love to entertain, but have limited time for preparation (£15 from Debenhams). Simply put a whole baby brie, camembert or Tunworth inside, stud with the herbs of your choice and bake for 20 minutes for a no-fuss fondue.

For budding bakers – This 17-piece children’s baking set has been expertly scaled down to suit little hands (£14 from Procook). Just the gift to inspire a life-long love of cooking!

For me (pleeeease!) – Polpo is the Waterstones ‘Book of the Year’ and having seen the gorgeous food photography and delicious Venetian recipes inside, it’s very easy to see why (£25 from Waterstones). The perfect present for Italophiles, serious home cooks and cook book collectors everywhere.

For more information and a preview of my Christmas biscuit recipe for the next post, check out the latest edition of FPTV.

***

Breakfast review of Giraffe

For me, a Christmas shopping trip isn’t to be entered into lightly. I like to be prepared, there needs to be a list and - most importantly - I don’t like to do it on an empty stomach. This year for our annual Christmas shopping expedition, my friend Jane and I dropped the children off at their respective schools and arranged to meet at Giraffe for breakfast at 10am.

Although I’ve known about Giraffe for years and enjoyed quite a few evening meals there, their breakfasts have been a more recent revelation. The weather that day was pretty wet and miserable, but Giraffe is the kind of place to make you forget about that with its laid-back atmosphere and cheerful world music, played at just the right volume to give atmosphere, whilst still letting you catch up on the gossip.

The breakfast menu was genuinely interesting and varied, with many dishes taking on an influence from Europe, Mexico and beyond. With my sweet tooth I couldn’t resist the brioche French toast which came loaded with a wonderfully spicy apple compote, thick Greek yoghurt, fresh strawberries and maple syrup. The French toast itself was lovely and light – hearty enough to give you some shopping energy, but not so filling as to induce a post-breakfast slump.

Across the table Jane enjoyed two perfectly poached eggs on top of toasted focaccia. The bread was delicious with just a savoury hint of rosemary, and for once the parsley garnish actually complimented the food rather than just looking pretty. Usually the dish comes with roasted vine tomatoes on the side, but when Jane asked for them to be left off, our waitress cheerfully obliged.

In fact, the service from beginning to end was just the right combination of friendly efficiency and laid-back warmth. I hear there are plans to convert a side room for breakfast meetings in the New Year which I’m sure will go down a storm with local businesses. Giraffe’s combination of great service and tasty food is equally welcome whether there’s serious work to be done or just the important business of some Christmas shopping.

***

When it comes to Christmas shopping are you an early bird or a last minute Larry? Do you think gourmet gifts make the best presents and what’s on your own Christmas wish list this year?

Happy nibbling!
Fiona B x