J.E.S.’s Top Gift Ideas for 2011
It’s gift giving time again, and we’ve put together a list of unique and useful gift ideas for kitchen. Nothing makes a gift more personal than taking the time to choose something that suits the taste and interest of the recipient. If you have a kitchen enthusiast on your gift list, home or professional, take a look at our gift guide.
Lodge Apple Pots
With rave reviews from consumer magazines like Good Housekeeping and Fine Cooking it’s no wonder that Lodge Cookware is one of our most popular residential brands, especially around the holidays. Graded and FDA approved for professional chefs, yet affordable and stylish enough for home cooks; Lodge enamel coated cookware is a product that will last will last for generations. For the holidays this year our Apple Pot is king – the Lodge L Series Apple Pot is a 3 quart pot that can be used to prepare and serve a variety of dishes, or a beautiful cookie jar. Some customers even simply display it as a fantastic piece of art.
Bottle Buddies
Got any wine lovers on your shopping list? Take a look at our Bottle Buddies by Old Dutch International These fun characters turn any bottle into a creative statue, and with lots of characters to choose from in a variety of styles including a Waiter, Fisherman, Elvis Impersonator, and Golfers – adding even more personalization to this great gift.
Holland Grill
Outdoor cooking might not be the first thing to come to mind during this time of cold weather, but more and more people are using grills to liven up the winter and spice up their cold weather menus. In-fact last year, according to a survey done by Weber, 49% of Americans braved the cold and fired up the grill during the winter months. This year you can get that grill enthusiast the grill that is made for all the seasons, the Holland Grill . These sturdy grills are made 100% in the US, and with affordable model like The Vintage and The Epic now is the perfect time to experience the joys of winter grilling.
Baking Supplies
Nothing is sweeter and more welcoming than a home filled with the smell of baking. There are a lot of tools that will make any bakers on your holiday list very happy. We recommend Nordic Ware , a family-owned, American manufacture of unique baking products like seasonal Shaped Pans, including my favorite the Wreath Shaped Cake Pan .
Aprons
For the cook who is a jack-of-all-trades we recommend one of our stylish aprons . With JES’s selection of over 200 designer and creative aprons you are sure to find one that fits your home chef perfectly. We also have a complete selection of children’s aprons, for those aspiring chefs, and Open Seas Aprons for Seafarers.
Stock Pots
For chefs that love making soups and stews Stock Pots are an essential piece of cookware. Size is the first choice you’ll need to make, you will find 12 quart is the handiest for soups, stews, sauces, and chili. Choosing a stock pot may not be an easy task, as each pot will have it’s own unique features and construction materials. For price, quality, and warranty we recommend first taking a look at Focus Foodservice .
Knife Blocks and Sets
Many people don’t realize the different factors that separate a good piece of cutlery from cheaper models. Factors to consider are steel composition, durability, balance, in addition to aesthetics. But many home cooks have not taken the time to purchase a quality knife set . A matched set is always best – fitting the same block, with similar feel and look, and requiring similar maintenance. We recommend sets by Dexter Russell and F. Dick. Choosing to give a knife set is a gift that your recipient can use for 20 years of more.
Mixing Bowls
Similar to kitchen knifes a mixing bowl is something that can be overlooked in the kitchen, but a proper, quality bowl can make a chefs job so much better. We like the Focus 875SBK with it’s non-skid silicone bottom bowl in a 2, 4, and 6 quart set.
R & V Works
Reports last year by top grilling companies suggested that December is the second most popular time to purchase items for outdoor cooking. During the winter taste change to bold, richer flavors like stews and chili and it’s a great time to start frying for those outdoor meals. Our outdoor fryers by R & V Works make a great gift for anyone ready to spice up their outdoor cooking tools.
Coffee Items
If you are looking for something both personal and practical for your recipient, if they are a coffee lover then you can find lots of items to help their morning routine. From full coffee makers to stylish accessories. I consider gourmet gift baskets to generally be an ideal gift, which to can tailor to fit the recipient’s taste and your budget. French Presses are also a hot item this year, and if your gift is going to a coffee drinker that has not yet tasted coffee made with a press, then they will be extremely happy to taste that premium cup Holiday morning.
For more great Gift Ideas, check out our store’s Gift Section!
