Culinary Culture
There are few things as special as preparing and sharing a magical meal with those you love—and many important items and ingredients go into making these memories. Whether you’re searching for a gift for a talented chef, aspiring cook, natural wine enthusiast, whisky expert or someone who simply loves to discover new flavors and styles, our Culinary Culture gift guide brims with new ideas for cooks and hosts. From recipe books to napkins, saucepans, syrups and snacks, there’s something here to please every palate.
Hero image courtesy of HAY
Grain and Rice Cooker
Grain and Rice Cooker
Kitchen Aid’s Grain and Rice Cooker brings a new design to a category that’s seen little change in its format. Instead of placing your rice or grain along with an estimated volume of liquid into your cooker, this device lets you add the rice, grains or beans into the device—from quinoa to oats to lentils and more), and separates the liquid into an adjacent chamber. When you set the device with its easy to use touchscreen (it has 21 presets as well as custom settings) it pulls the required amount of liquid to simmer your item to your desired texture. The device can also steam food. It’s a fresh (and successful) take on cooking your rice, grains and beans with ease.
Added: May 2024
This product is sold by Kitchen Aid
Reposado Tequila
Reposado Tequila
Casa Obsidiana is a new tequila brand created by two families with deep connections to agave and wine making who have been friends for more than twenty years. Jorge and Roberto Beckmann Gonzalez’s family has been making tequila for eight generations—more than 260 years. Jean-Charles Boisset and his family have been making wine in France and California for decades and are one of the largest wine groups in France. Their desire to create a unique tequila together, along with Francisco Quijana, the Master Tequilero, is Casa Obsidiana’s origin story, and its differentiated by both the spirit—made from 100% Blue Weber agave from the Beckman Gonzalez’s estates, Quintana’s spirit, and aging for four months in French Oak barrels that formerly aged the Boissot family’s Napa Valley Chardonnay. Further elevating the brand is its unique, hand made and unusual ceramic bottles. This new, premium Reposado tequila, made in Jalisco, Mexico opens with caramel notes but isn’t too sweet and moves to a pleasant peppery finish. The Reposado is our favorite, but the Blanco and Añejo are both excellent as well.
Added: April 2024
This product is sold by Casa Obsidiana
Kimchi Salt
Kimchi Salt
This bright, tangy and flavorful sea salt hits all of kimchi’s tasting notes. Use it to liven up soups, eggs, fries and more. San Juan Island Sea Salt fully evaporates sea water in the summer sun to create their salt. This variety adds Gochugaru peppers, ginger and garlic and will definitely awaken your taste buds.
Added: April 2024
This product is sold by San Juan Island Sea Salt
Spring Seasonal Concentrated Coffee
Spring Seasonal Concentrated Coffee
Jot’s Spring Seasonal coffee features a single-origin bean from Peru, and it’s just what we’re vibing for spring. Floral forward, nicely balanced, with fruity notes. Jot uses a “progressive enrichment process” to extract coffee from the grounds. Nothing else is added in the process—the liquid is very concentrated coffee and water. One tablespoon of the concentrate delivers a proper cup of iced or hot coffee, and from there your options are unlimited. It’s also available in Original, Dark, Vanilla, Chocolate Hazelnut and Caramel. Price is for one-time purchase. Discounts for monthly subscriptions available.
Added: March 2024
This product is sold by Jot
Rolling Knife Sharpener Set
Rolling Knife Sharpener Set
You’ve likely seen this on social media, as we had, and we were skeptical that it would get the job done. After trying it out we’re happy with the results, and how easy it is to use. It also looks great sitting on the counter if you don’t have room for it in your knife drawer. Simply hold your knife spine edge down and place it on either end of the knife holder block (one side is angled to 15º, the other to 20º). Grab the roller with you other hand and roll, abrasive side touching the knife blade, to sharpen. When it has reached your desired sharpness turn the roller around and use the other side to buff it. If your blades are seriously dull you may want to have them professionally sharpened first, and use this regularly to keep them that way. Remember to sharpen your knives after every use—a sharp knife is a safe knife.
Added: March 2024
This product is sold by Tumbler
Productivity Shot
Productivity Shot
Added: February 2024
This product is sold by Magic Mind
Genio Della (Frozen) Pizza
Genio Della (Frozen) Pizza
When we think of single-minded passion, vision and dedication, pizza chef and restauranteur Anthony Mangieri ranks high on our list. His celebrated Una Pizza Napoletana in NYC offers pizza in its purest form, perfectly cooked in a wood fired oven. You can’t always make it to your favorite pizzeria for a quality pie, and frustrated by the current frozen pizza offerings he took the challenge upon himself to create not just an acceptable, but an exceptional, frozen pizza. Made in Italy, Genio Della Pizza is now available in four traditional pies—Margherita, Marinara, Bianco, Broccoli Rabe. Pies use only the best, and most minimal ingredients, just like at the restaurant. Visit to find retailers near you, order locally on Fresh Direct, DashMart, GoPuff and Feed, or for national delivery on Goldbelly.
Added: February 2024
This product is sold by Genio Della Pizza
Signature Martini
Signature Martini
Enjoy a taste of NYC’s Via Carota at home with their subtle Signature Martini. With four drinks in a bottle, this cocktail is crafted using vodka and dry vermouth for a light, citrus-forward iteration of the classic. The sophisticated, etched bottles make these batched cocktails elevate any occasion, and also make a fantastic host gift.
Added: February 2024
This product is sold by Via Carota
Printed Felt Pan Holder
Printed Felt Pan Holder
A stylish, simple, sustainable, made in NY accessory to keep things cool in the kitchen. Made from natural felted wool which is printed with patterns, they are practical for dealing with hot pans, especially those with short handles, like cast iron. Available in several styles. Pot handles are also available.
Added: February 2024
This product is sold by Olga Joan
Saucy Hot Wok Set
Saucy Hot Wok Set
Up your cooking game with Our Place’s wok set and all the umami you need with a trio of Fly By Jing’s flavorful creations. The carbon steel wok is pre-seasoned, solidly crafted and features brass colored handles, a glass top, and a set of cooking chopsticks. The large steamer basket fits plenty of dumplings or a nice sized fish, and also includes liners. Well-designed, functional and substantial, it’s an ideal wok for most home cooks. It’s also oven safe up to 600º. Jars of Fly by Kings Sichuan Chili Crisp, Zhong Sauce, and Chengdu Crunch make this set an easy starter kit or thoughtful gift.
Added: February 2024
This product is sold by Our Place
InstaProbe Cooking Thermometer
InstaProbe Cooking Thermometer
This well-designed cooking thermometer outperforms others with its fast-reading technology (it features sensors on the outside of the wand, not just the inside) delivering results in half a second. The device features an OLED screen that clearly and brightly displays the temperature in the direction you are holding it. Whether you are grilling, frying, cooking on the stove top or in the oven, it quickly and easily performs. It’s magnetic, too, so you can store it where you need it for quick access.
Added: January 2024
This product is sold by Typhur
Heirloom Variety Box of Rare and Unusual Dates
Heirloom Variety Box of Rare and Unusual Dates
Rancho Meladuco has been our go-to farm for California grown dates. A great snack, an ingredient in a recipe, or an addition to your cheese board, you’ll also discover some new flavors along the way. Their new two pound box is, as the name suggests, full of pitted heirloom dates that are likely less well known and definitely harder to find. They grow more than two dozen varietals, including old-world and new-world varietals including Abada, Empress, Mariana, Tarbazal, Honey and Riley. Each Heirloom Variety box is filled with a mix of whatever is ready to be harvested and comes with a seed planting kit so you can grow your own date tree.
Added: January 2024
This product is sold by Rancho Meladuco
Hojicha Hot Chocolate
Hojicha Hot Chocolate
Hojicha tea and bean-to-bar chocolate deliver a fresh take for your hot chocolate in an unexpected combination that adds a fresh twist. The slight bitterness of the roasted green tea blends nicely with the 70% Camino Verde Ecuadorian chocolate. Originating at the San Francisco brand’s Kyoto café and also served in the San Francisco café, it’s now available, in limited quantities.
Added: January 2024
This product is sold by Dandelion Chocolate
Wool Dish Drying Mat with Linen Sleeve
Wool Dish Drying Mat with Linen Sleeve
Celebrating its 10th anniversary, this simple 100% natural eco-friendly wool dish drying mat outperforms most of its artificial / manufactured competitors. The wool is durable, sustainable, and biodegradable, absorbs moisture and is naturally resistant to mildew and mold. The simple linen cover is equally resistant to mildew and mold.
Added: December 2023
This product is sold by Sonoma Wool Company
Repour Wine Saver 10 Pack
Repour Wine Saver 10 Pack
This simple alternative bottle stopper made of recyclable plastic keeps an open bottle of wine fresh by removing the oxygen in the bottle. All you have to do is take off the foil seal and place it in your bottle. This set of 10 could save hundreds of dollars of wine from going bad. Many other product packages are available at all price points.
Added: December 2023
This product is sold by Repair
Champagne Brut Sous Bois
Champagne Brut Sous Bois
Champagne was originally made with the wine vinified in oak barrels before it was transferred to bottles for fermentation. Maturing in barrels gives the wine a deeper and more multifaceted character. This practice was largely replaced by vinification in steel vats given the ease and economics (this still makes great champagnes and nearly all champagne and sparkling wines you drink are made this way). Family-owned and operated Billecart-Salmon’s Brut Sous Bois translates to “Brut (a style of champagne) under wood” and is made from all three Champenois varietals—Pinot Noir, Meunier, and Chardonnay in equal measure. Noticeably different on first nose, with its vanilla and fruit-forward notes, it’s a traditional, full-flavored approach that takes the maison’s already delicious liquid one step further. It’s great on its own of course and doesn’t need a special occasion to enjoy it, though it pairs very nicely with seafood. It’s as much a treat for your nose as well as for your mouth. We chose Wine.com as they deliver the most widely, but you can check your local spirit shop and other online vendors as the price does vary.
Added: November 2023
This product is sold by Wine.com
Liquid Kimchi
Liquid Kimchi
The masterminds at Acid League focus on bold flavors and innovative fermentation, with a taste- and design-forward delivery. Their Liquid Kimchi is exactly what it sounds like—a perfect accompaniment to an endless range of foods. Living Vinegar, Fermented Wiri Wiri Pepper Purée—and it only gets better from there.
Added: November 2023
This product is sold by Acid League
The Cowie Collection Glass
The Cowie Collection Glass
This chic spirit sipping glass was designed to showcase the spirit’s color, provide space for aromas, and to create a bit of “audacious” drama. Commissioned by Mortlach whisky and designed by Felicia Ferrone, it’s both technically compelling and beautiful to hold in your hand. Made of borosilicate, this collaboration is available in a limited edition. Price is for a set of two glasses.
Added: November 2023
This product is sold by fferone
The Ice Book
The Ice Book
Camper English’s latest book breaks down the methods to making clear ice at home. From squares to diamond cuts, inclusions and more—it’s literally everything you need to know about making ice to enjoy and to impress. Aside from its visual appeal, clear ice also melts more slowly and is surprisingly easy to work with.
Added: October 2023
This product is sold by Indiana University Press
Pasta Candle
Pasta Candle
Made by London’s Nata Concept Store for Big Night, this pasta candle possesses just the right amount of kitsch charm. A bit larger than the actual pasta shape and available in farfalle or fusilli, they burn for approximately 30 minutes, emitting a scent with notes of neroli, jasmine and orange blossom. An ideal host gift, this playful piece can be used as a fully functioning candle or a decor item.
Added: October 2023
Big Night
Sumac + Chili Spritz
Sumac + Chili Spritz
For those who like their alcohol-free drinks to still pack a punch, Ghia’s latest Le Spritz flavor combines sumac and chili for a slightly sour and hot beverage that’s extremely refreshing. Made with yuzu juice and white grape juice concentrate, it contains the extract of elderflower, chili pepper, sumac berry, rhubarb root, orange, rosemary and ginger. Ultimately it’s a tangy and spicy drink that can be enjoyed in place of a cocktail or any time throughout the day. Price is for a 12-pack.
Added: October 2023
This product is sold by Ghia
Colorado Hawk’s Nest Vineyard 2022 Sparking Blanc de Noirs
Colorado Hawk’s Nest Vineyard 2022 Sparking Blanc de Noirs
Colorado may not be the first location that comes to mind for American sparkling wine, though this bottle could change that. Crisp, fresh, just enough fruit—it’s an affordable, easy to drink sparkling wine that suits nearly any occasion or need. It’s great for gifting, too.
Added: October 2023
This product is sold by Ordinary Fellow
Apple Brandy
Apple Brandy
From family-owned and operated Shady Knoll Orchards & Distillery, this flavorful apple brandy is crafted from fruit grown on the family’s farm in New York’s picturesque Hudson Valley region. Shady Knoll does all processing, fermenting, distilling, barrel-aging and bottling on site. For the apple brandy, Shady Knoll ferments all the fruit naturally over the course of several months. The liquid is then double-distilled and aged for at least three-and-a-half years in new toasted American oak barrels. It’s then finished for four months in ex-Madeira barrels from Portugal. The result is an award-winning craft spirit with a delectable, layered profile.
Added: August 2023
This product is sold by Shady Knoll Distillery
Tally Pro Precision Scale
Tally Pro Precision Scale
Fellow is dedicated to improving the aesthetic and functionality of the coffee-making experience. Their latest product, Tally, takes on the simple scale and evolves it with a clean design and useful tech. Measurements are precise to the tenth of a gram and lightning fast and the USB-C rechargeable battery lasts for a total of 13 hours which is roughly equivalent to 100 brews. Tally can be used in different modes ranging from simple weight to “Brew Assist,” which guides you through the process of measuring the coffee and water to make the perfect pour-over. There’s also a timer mode that helps manage the interplay between how much water to use and how fast to pour it.
Added: August 2023
This product is sold by Fellow
Piruwa Kettle
Piruwa Kettle
Honoring 65,000 years of Australian culture, Breville has worked with Alison Page—a Wadi Wadi and Walbanga woman of the Yuin nation and founder of the National Aboriginal Design Agency—to create the Aboriginal Culinary Journey collection. Four different artists created original works for the collection; they each own the copyright to their works and receive royalties from the sale of the products. Further, Breville is donating 100% of the profits from this collection to be split between the National Indigenous Culinary Institute and an Indigenous scholarship fund at the University of Technology Sydney. A total of 10,000 units were produced with the goal to raise AUD$1,000,000. Shown here is the Piruwa Kettle by Yalti Napangati.
Added: August 2023
This product is sold by Breville