Gifts for the Food Obsessed

Six standout picks for the home cook who thinks they have everything.

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Your favorite home cook can either be the easiest or toughest to shop for—like, they want something super specific (a new Instant Pot-friendly silicon springform cake pan!), or they’ve got every piece of gear on the planet. This year, appeal instead to their palate with a range of edible gifts, or simply to their collector’s eye with one must-have pot. 

The Meats Box | E3 Meat Co. 

E3 Chophouse is now up and running in Hillsboro Village but they trace their origins back to the founding of the E3 Family Ranch in Fort Scott, Kansas. Retired MLB player Adam LaRoche started raising black and red angus so he could get beef the way he wanted—no steroids, antibiotics, or hormones. What’s more, they donate 10 percent of all net proceeds back to the E3 Foundation, which fights human trafficking while also serving combat veterans. So, this year, splurge on your favorite omnivore with the Meats Box, a full pack of ribeye and strip steaks, plus two bacon-wrapped filets, along with seasoning, flavored butters, and a hat and towel to wear grillside. ($299; e3ranch.com) 

Roaster’s Choice Subscription | 8th & Roast 

If you know someone who regularly swings by 8th & Roast for their in-house roasted coffees, consider gifting them the Roaster’s Choice subscription, which can be set up for monthly or weekly deliveries. Your coffee lover will get the shop’s beloved regular-rotation coffees, plus beans that have been specifically procured from microlots around the world. If you choose an ongoing subscription, you’ll save 7.5 percent on each bag (typically priced at $17 each, 8thandroast.com)

Blacklock 5.5 Quart Dutch Oven | Lodge

Round out an already solid cook’s collection with this one-of-a-kind piece from Lodge. The new Blacklock series boasts triple seasoning, so it really is nearly non-stick on the first use, as well as a lighter-weight design. On the back, there’s an heirloom logo and the number 02, meant to recall the year, 2002, when Lodge first debuted its seasoned cast iron. Whether this adds to a robust collection of cast iron or starts one, the Dutch oven will be a well-loved piece in any home cook’s rotation. ($100; lodge.com)

JOSÉ Gourmet Small Sardines | Woodland Wine Merchant 

Tasty little salt-and-sea bombs are packed into these clever, artistic tins. JOSÉ sources from fishermen in Spain and Portugal, many of whom have been working the same waters for most of their lives. Inside, there might be the salty citrus blend of sardines and lemon to go with a slab of crusty bread, or Ventresca tuna filets packed in olive oil to be baked into puff pastry. Outside, the artwork is both fun, and a tribute to the work that goes into the catch. ($10-$20; woodlandwinemerchant.com)

The Bacon Sampler | Loveless Café

This is the gift you’ll want to arrive a day or two before the festivities—or brought in hand to your favorite host’s holiday brunch. Alongside the classic Applewood smoked bacon, there is a pack of maple bacon, as well as Cajun and peppered styles, too. The whole set should have them sizzling in no time. ($59; lovelesscafe.com) 

Holiday Countdown Calendar | Jack Daniel’s 

Yes, you can splurge on one decent bottle of whiskey for your brown-liquor loving friend—but wouldn’t they rather try a handful of flavors instead? Hidden within this clever countdown calendar, you’ll uncover 50 milliliter bottles of Tennessee Whiskey, Rye, Honey, and Fire, plus bonus bottles of Gentleman Jack and the Single Barrel Select, and other items like shot glasses. Punch out the dates one by one for a festive lead-up to the holidays. ($79.99; jackdaniels.com)