Somehow, the holiday season is just around the corner, and there’s only one week until Christmas. But here are several gifts for every foodie on your list. From stuffing stuffers to grand gestures, these are all delicious options for anyone who loves all things food and drink.
Jump Ahead To
Remy Drabkin – We made these our gala wines this year when we celebrated at the Dallas Human Rights Campaign Black Tie Dinner virtual event. The Black Heart was perfect for toasting and the Lagrein and the Pinot Gris were perfect with our traditional Asian meal. And I have to support, I love to support local, as well as my LGBTQ community!
These are some of my favorite bubbles. I love to drink them as is, and they are perfect for mimosas too. The rose is my favorite for both the flavor and the look. Full disclosure, Mionetto is one of my book tour sponsors for Be That Unicorn. So, you know I just love it!
Three bottle sampler pack ($88) – Texas winemaker Randy Hester is using 100-percent Texas fruit to make the C.L. Butaud wines. In this three pack, wine lovers will receive their flagship and award-winning Tempranillo, the Pa Pa Frenchy Red Wine as well as the state’s only Ramato wine. Perfect to drink with your Christmas meal or bring outdoors for a distanced hang!
No matter what your plans are this holiday season, San Simeon and Maddalena wines are the perfect addition to any table. These Riboli Family wine collections boast a variety of thoughtfully crafted wines that pair tremendously with all the holiday menu items.
These three wines from Bodegas Caro won the night at our last dinner party. Aruma 2018, a Malbec crafted Mendoza region grapes; Amancaya 2017, a little bit Argentine and a little bit Bordeaux; and CARO 2017, also focused on the Malbec grape is strongly Argentinian. All three were a welcome treat.
Despite the name, there’s no cannabis in this prosecco. But it does say it seeks to “pay homage the individual in all of us.” Weed stand for “We Embrace Equality & Diversity,” in fact. It’s light and bubbly and delicious. And I never mind a product whose values are as terrific as their flavors.
A lot of people are going to need a bar restock at the end of this year! RancH2O, low in calories and big in taste, makes a great stocking stuffer. The brand’s collection includes signature Ranch Water, Vodka Soda with a hint of cranberry, and the Texan Christmas cocktail, Classic Marg, made with premium tequila, soda water, and hints of lime and orange.
Confession. I first fell in love with these sodas because of their looks. The full set is a rainbow heaven with a modern art flair. The set comes with one each of all their kick-ass flavors – Cherry Pop, Strawberry Basil, Extra Peach, Orange Nectarine, Young Mango, Lemon Verbena, Pear Elderflower, Gigenry Ale, Sour Blueberry, Toasted Coconut, White Grape, and Blueberry Jam. The best part – These taste as good as they look. And they make excellent mixers!
Cutwater’s Bali Hai Rum with pineapple and coconut flavors is mixed with cream and cinnamon is absolutely delicious and reminiscent of eggnog with a tropical twist, it is perfect for sipping chilled, neat, or poured over ice. Cutwater also offers 18 canned cocktail varieties like their new Long Island Iced Tea!
Black Button Distilling’s Whiskey and cream naturally go so well together and this delicious spirit combines hand-finished Bourbon and local farm-fresh, New York State cream for a drink that delights. Think of it as Bailey’s Irish Cream, but much better with a more complex flavor profile. It’s especially delicious in hot drinking chocolate that creates that rich feel with sweet vanilla and smooth caramel taste.
But here’s the catch, they are only producing a small quantity, can only be ordered by calling a specific location, and it’s first-come, first-serve. Each 2L barrel costs $250, serves 20 cocktails, and can be kept in the barrel and aged for an extra oaky flavor. Place orders by calling 512.428.6944, open everyday at 11a.m.
With its BPA-Free composition, Shaker33 is revolutionizing the art of mixing drinks. The modern and sophisticated design features a 24-ounce format to enable large cocktail batches to be mixed in one, leak-proof, easy-to-open lockable lid, and a dual flow strainer for a slow or quick pour, helps users effortlessly create the perfect cocktail, every time. Additional Features include: Leak Proof, Easy to Open, One Handed Shaking, Dual Flow Strainer. www.Shaker33.com
Not all olive oil is the same. At all. Some have too much taste and texture. Some have too little. Enzo has become y go-to because, well, it’s just right. The only problem now and choosing from all of the flavors.
Antonelli’s popular cheese gift boxes come in a kraft, stamped box with kraft crinkle paper and our custom “cheese care” instructions. Pricing ranges from $35-$125, including their popular Taste of Texas selection, as part of their Victory Cheese movement to keep the industry alive and donate to Cheese Culture Coalition.
Austin’s local stop for the highest quality EVOO, Con’ Olio, has an array of great gifts for any foodie. Pick up a customizable gifts like their 4 pack sampler sets or the perfect duo of olive oil and balsamic for the adventurous chef. Check out individual oils for the adventurous foodie:Organic Garlic and Madagascar Black Pepper; I love this Fig Balsamic on vanilla ice cream. Con Olio is also offering a variety of virtual classes, perfect for corporate gifts and friends and family.
Just when cooking at home was getting *real* old, Sway kicked blandness to the curb with house-made spices + sauces to-go. Kickstart your new + deliciously bold life with a gift box of four of their most popular blends: Sway cure, curry spice, fermented soybean mix + numbing salt.
Created by Ariana Quant, the extraordinary Executive Pastry Chef at Uchiko and all of the Uchi restaurants. The collection of holiday confections, beautifully packaged, is a delightful addition to any family’s assortment of holiday treats and makes a memorable and effortless gift. Phone orders will be accepted starting Dec. 16, 2020. Available while supplies last; Call (512) 916-4808. Pickup will be available only on Wed., Dec. 23, between 4 PM and 10 PM
With tons of gift ideas for everyone on your list, you’re sure to deliver a chocolate experience that’s second to none. Whether they are friends, family, co-workers, neighbors, or party hostess, they will be deliciously pleased with this selection of treats.
If you had asked me before I tried this if I like almond butter – flavored or otherwise – I would have replied with an emphatic, “No.” But my daughter said I had to give it a try and she wins again. Count me in, especially with this festive flavor.
I have to admit, I had no idea there were so many options when it came to mustard. But I am happy to say that I now have a well-dressed pantry with mustards for everything from sandwiches to charcuterie boards to chicken dishes.
Old Trapper has become one of my favorite snacks, especially for road trips. They make beef jerky the way it was meant to be. The ingredients behind the company’s 50 years of success are as short as its actual ingredient list: lean high-quality meat, quality seasonings, real wood-fired smoke, and a hands-on manufacturing process. These will make excellent stocking stuffers for the meat-eaters in your family.
If you know me at all, you know that I am a Jacobsen fanatic. I have had the pleasure of meeting Ben and even harvesting salt with him and I keep a little tin of finishing salt in my bag at all times. I love it all from his pure Kosher sea salt to his infused salts to his salted caramels. Trust me. You don’t know salt until you give this one a whirl.
The perfect gourmet stocking stuffer, this sampler set is available in Classic, Gourmet and Smoked Artisan Sea Salt. Encased in small boutique glass jars with American black walnut wood lids and intricately adorned labels, these sampler sets each feature five varieties of gourmet salt. $29.95
I love food – obviously – but sometimes I am a bar girl, as in protein not drinking establishment (though I like those too). I recently fell in love with the B.T.R. Bar (bold, tenacious, and resilient. They keep me full between meals and are great to snack on before working out. I would not be sad to receive a stocking full of these for sure!
Ok, this one snuck up on me. I live for a good crunch. When crunch doubles as a superfood and a topping for things like acai bowls and yogurt, I’m in healthy snack heaven. Enter Lil Bucks buckwheat clusters and sprouted buckwheat crunch in yummy flavors like chocolate reishi and turmeric lemon myrtle and cinnamon, matcha, and cacao respectively. This is one stocking stuffer that’s more than window dressing.
Whether the guys are trying to keep their drinks cold for the duration of the gathering or walk in with a lightweight cooler, M-Series Kase Mates are the coolers you’ve always wanted. They feature thicker insultation, magnetic clasping, and an upgraded zipper – coming in two sizes – 12 and 24 pack.
The new cookbooks from Thai Fresh have arrived. With beautifully photographed by Jody Horton of Jody Horton Photography, designed by Julie Savasky of 508 Creative and edited by Kim Lane. This cookbook is the a labor of love, a community effort and years of experience cooking and teaching Thai cooking classes. There are over 75 recipes ready for you to explore, and you will learn the secrets to make Jam’s amazing Thai food at home. Call in or order online for pick up or order on our website for the book to be shipped.
We probably won't see a white Christmas in Austin, but don't let that ruin your…
The LINE Austin has unveiled their latest concept, Cantero, a bar that takes mixology to…
The demand for sugar free hard candy is on the rise, especially among those managing…
Thanksgiving in Austin is a time for festive feasting, and there’s no shortage of delightful…
Pursuit Farms has become a beacon for discerning palates seeking the finest Wagyu beef available…
New Orleans, LA - On October 22, 2024, I recently had an opportunity to attend the grand opening of Caesars New Orleans, marking the completion of a stunning $435 million transformation of the former Harrah’s New Orleans. It was an evening to remember, filled with excitement, luxury, and the vibrant spirit of New Orleans. The festivities began on Canal Street with an exhilarating ceremony led by Caesars Entertainment CEO Tom Reeg, President & COO Anthony Carano, and Caesars New Orleans General Manager Samir Mowad. The atmosphere was electric as they joined Caesar himself and an iconic New Orleans second-line band in a lively procession into the casino. It felt like the entire city had come out to celebrate, with Caesars New Orleans team members and Mayor LaToya Cantrell also joining the event to commemorate this historic occasion. Anthony Carano’s pride in introducing Caesars to New Orleans was palpable. “From local favorite Emeril Lagasse to our long-time partner, Chef Nobu, to the beautiful state-of-the-art Caesars Sportsbook, all-new rooms and gaming floor, and of course, our gorgeous new center bar, Octavia, Caesars New Orleans offers something for everyone. It’s a world-class resort in the heart of the Big Easy, and we can’t wait for our guests to experience it,” he said. The ceremony was a spectacle, kicking off with an iconic Mardi Gras float featuring Caesar and his court, and a dazzling firework show that lit up the New Orleans sky. The second-line band then led us revelers into the resort’s elegant center bar, Octavia, where we indulged in a “Taste of Caesars New Orleans.” Each bite from the six on-property restaurants was a delightful journey, capturing the essence of New Orleans’ rich culinary scene. Throughout the night, elemental entertainers, including the Saints Cheer Krewe, Mardi Gras Indians, Zulu Tramps, and showgirls, created an authentic and unforgettable Big Easy experience. Everywhere I turned, there was something new to marvel at, each performance more mesmerizing than the last. Samir Mowad, SVP and GM of Caesars New Orleans, highlighted the significance of the transformation, stating, “This year marks 25 years since we opened in New Orleans, and the completion of this project is the perfect way to usher in a new era with Caesars. Synonymous with the Caesars name, our new resort is pure elegance, and we’re excited to introduce a luxury brand like this to New Orleans. We are extremely grateful for the support of the community, our team members, and our guests as we come to the finish line of this tremendous transformation.” The hotel itself is impressive,…