Alexandra Cohn
Holiday shopping for the cook can actually be a pleasurable experience. the first consideration is whether your giftee is new to the kitchen or a seasoned home chef. many of the basics in this list will be a great addition to a new kitchen, but you’ll have to be more inventive for someone who’s a veteran.
Lodge cast iron skillet
Made in South Pittsburg, Tenn., in either 10.25” or 12” sizes, this is an all-around great gift for a cook. Use it on the stove, stick it in the oven or throw it on the grill. This is the kind of pan your grandma and her grandma used; they get better with age. I once saw a video in which a man’s entire house had burned down except for one thing: his Lodge cast iron skillet. That says it all.
Cost: $24 and up
Where: Orange Tree Imports, 1721 Monroe St.
Cooking classes
What cook wouldn’t love learning a new skill in the kitchen? While there are basic offerings like knife skills, even the most experienced cooks can find a class that should appeal with offerings like “You Gotta Be Cheese’n Me” — a hands-on cheese workshop — and a holiday desserts class taught by Gail Ambrosius, one of Madison’s premier chocolatiers. It’s a culinary dream come true.
Cost: $45-$75
Where: Knife skills and “You Gotta Be Cheese’n Me” at Flambé Gourmet, 1 Sherman Terrace. Ambrosius at Orange Tree Imports; classes are also offered at a variety of outlets including Madison School & Community Recreation, Sur la Table, the Willy Street Co-op and more.
Wolf gourmet blender
Sure, it comes with a hefty price tag, but this appliance will make smoothies, soups and purees or chop vegetables in no time, proving itself a very useful tool for the home cook. And with a BPA-free and shatterproof carafe, a 2.4 horsepower motor and a 5-year warranty, this appliance is a solid long-term investment.
Cost: $599
Where: Chauette Home, 7466 Hubbard Ave., Middleton
Spice gift boxes
Spices keep it interesting in the kitchen. Spice House sets include Basic, Asian Flavors, Bakers Deluxe and Grilling, but they also have the “Ethnic Chicago (and Milwaukee) Neighborhoods Spice Blends.” The Kitchen Gallery will order anything from the Spice House. Penzey’s also offers a variety of gift sets.
Cost: $20-60
Where: Spice House via the Kitchen Gallery, 107 King St.; Penzey’s, 3252 University Ave. and 4244 East Towne Blvd.
Juliska bakeware/serving dishes
Beautiful and versatile, these pieces are all handmade in Portugal. Choose from casserole dishes, covered bakers and platters, many of which are dishwasher, freezer, microwave and oven safe up to 500 degrees — basically, restaurant grade.
Cost: $58-$200
Where: Chauette Home
The following gifts can be found at most kitchen specialty stores:
Spiral vegetable cutters
With so many people looking to cut carbs or go gluten-free all together, it’s easy to see why these vegetable cutters are one of this year’s hot kitchen items. “Like a pencil sharpener for your veggies,” according to Katrina Kelly, proprietor of the Kitchen Gallery. This one simple tool lets you turn zucchini and carrots into pasta for a healthy alternative and a really fun way to eat your veggies.
Cost: $15-$50
Herb/kale stripper
Small enough to put in a stocking, this little gadget makes light work out of removing tough stalks from leafy greens like kale and woody herbs like thyme. Kale chips just got a whole lot easier to make.
Cost: $8
Wusthof 8” cook’s knife or paring knife
If your cook is experienced, chances are he or she already has these. In that case, make sure the kitchen has a good knife sharpener. But if your cook is just starting out, this is a quintessential tool for all cutting prep. And make sure to keep it away from the dishwasher — hand-wash only!
Cost: $25-$150
Mauviel 10” copper fry pan
This piece is a great introduction into the world of copper cookware. One of the best conductors of heat, copper warms quicker than other metals and distributes heat more evenly throughout the pan. Plus, if you need to turn the heat down in a hurry (you smell something burning?), it cools down faster than other pans. All in all, copper pans offer greater control.
Cost: $150
We have noted throughout the gift guide where our shoppers located various items; however, they may be available at other area stores as well.
