Last Minute Shopping?

I've been naughty.  I am a bad, bad blogger.  Actually, I've been cheating on you.  I've neglected you due to catering jobs, personal chef clients and dessert orders.  But you know what, Mama's gotta bring home the bacon.  And isn't it nice to know you're reading the musings of a working chef?  So....no more apologizing.  I will strive to post more regularly in the new year but when duty calls, I answer the call!

If you have been too busy bringing home your bacon to finish your holiday shopping, I have a few last minute awesome gifts for people who love food and cooking.  At least, these are what I'd love to get as a gift...

Wine Sampler in tasting sizes-http://www.tastingroom.com/
For under $30 you can get or give a set of 6 different wines in tasting sizes (about 1.6 ounces) to try and compare.  How great to sample a $30 bottle of wine before you commit to dropping your cash on something you don't like?

Adopt an Italian Olive Tree-http://nudo-italia.com/products/5?category=22
For $109 you can adopt an olive tree in Italy and you'll receive all the extra virgin olive oil produced from your tree.  If you're wracking your brain shopping for the person who has everything, I'm betting they don't have this!  The bragging rights alone are worth $109.

Drool and bake-Baked Explorations is the second cookbook from the renowned Baked bakery in Brooklyn.  I just received this as a gift and cannot wait to dive in.  Every recipe looks homey and luscious and great for all levels of bakers.  You could even strike a deal that the receiver gives you a portion of all goodies baked from this book. $20 on Amazon.

Cheese-A gift certificate to Murray's Cheese Shop in NYC. http://www.murrayscheese.com/gift_main.asp  There is something for everyone here (other than the lactose intolerant). Choose from gift boxes, gift cards, cheese of the month clubs or build your own gift. They have one of the best selections in the world.

Lemon Juicer-http://www.amazon.com/Amco-Enameled-Aluminum-Lemon-Squeezer/dp/B0002V23BG Meet the only lemon/lime juicer you'll ever need.  It's $12, heavy duty and your kids will ask to squeeze the lemons for you.  Win!

Bench Scraper-They're not just for pastry.  Yes, I use mine to flip sticky doughs, cut biscuits, etc. but I also use it to pick up whatever I've just diced or chopped and transfer it to a bowl or pan. From $3-$10.

VitaMix Blender-Hello, gorgeous!  If you've got big bucks to spend meet the biggest, baddest blender around.  It can take the place of your juicer, food processor and coffee grinder.  It can crush ice instantly and make the smoothest purees and soups you've ever seen.  Cost is around $500 and for that price you should never need another blender again.  Just a side note, if anyone wants to buy me one I will let you. A girl can dream.   www.vitamix.com


One final late-shopping-procrastinators trick.  If you are ordering something that won't arrive in time for Christmas, print out a nicely typed up "gift certificate" that shows them what will be coming to them via mail.  You know, like you meant to do it that way.