Is there anything more welcome than an edible gift? Only cookbooks come close. So, in the spirit of satisfying both the souls and palates of all the gastronomically-obsessed individuals in your life, here are some edible—and edifying gifts—for all you last-minute shoppers.
EAT
• Who says it’s all about turkey? Sustainable seafood is all the rage, and these products from Fresh Ideas Start Here (F.I.S.H.) are awesome and locally-sourced and made stocking stuffers. “Shmoked” Jerky, made from wild Keta salmon caught at Johnstone Strait, $6.60/100g. Maple or Pepper Salmon Candy, made from white spring salmon caught near Bella Coola, $4.85/100g. EatFish.ca
• A little whimsy is always in style. This “melting” chocolate snowman from Chez Christophe will conjure up all those childhood memories of Frosty—not to mention give some very grown-up satisfaction to the taste buds. $24.95 for one boxed sculpture. Christope-Chocolat.com
• Cookies and milk are usually reserved for Santa, but that’s no reason to let them go to waste after the kids fall asleep. Especially when the cookies are from Beaucoup Bakery and include two each of their peanut butter sandwich cookies, browned butter and kinako shortbread, toasted buckwheat chocolate chip cookies, and salted rosemary chocolate cookies. Did I mention the litre of Avalon’s organic milk that comes with? For $35, it’s a great host or self-gift. One-day advance order required. BeaucoupBakery.com
• You could make your own, but why bother when there’s something this pretty? La Petite Souris on Gibsons makes lovely chocolates, bars and treats, including these absolutely beautiful “Bark Nouveau” in flavours like toffee and marshmallow, peanut butter crunch with rice crisps, habanero and cinnamon, dark chocolate peppermint, and toasted oats with dried cherries. And, they deliver in two business days. $16 per box. LaPetiteSouris.ca
DRINK
• Holiday season means cocktail season, and there’s nothing wrong with a classic Kir Royale. To make sure yours (or that made by whoever invited you over) stands out from the crowd, use Odd Society Spirits’ Crème de Cassis. Produced in partnership with the legendary chef Hervé Martin (The French Table), this lovely lightly-sweet liqueur is made with BC blackcurrants and a lot of love. $22 at the distillery. OddSocietySpirits.com
• No home cocktail bar is complete without some high-quality bitters. This gift pack from Bittered Sling is a collaboration with cocktail festival Tales of the Cocktail, and features the Gastown, Palermo, Condesa and French Quarter bitters, in honour of the last four locations of the festival. MSRP $49.95 for four 25mL bottles. BitteredSling.com
READ
• The Butcher, The Baker, The Wine and Cheese Maker: By the Sea by Jennifer Schell. In this sequel edition to last year’s Okanagan-based cookbook, author Jennifer Schell brings together the farmers, artisans, fishers, foragers and chefs (and a few winemakers) who make the Lower Mainland and Coastal BC the amazing edible haven that it is. Recipes, stories and a little folk-lore, this is an entertaining and delicious read. $29.95. TouchwoodEditions.com
• A Taste of Haida Gwaii: Food Gathering and Feasting at the Edge of the World by Susan Musgrave. What happens when an award-winning poet and writer takes over a small B&B on the Haida Gwaii islands? A beautiful collision of food and life, told with sharp wit and warm humour. In between stories of what it’s like to live in this remote paradise are recipes like spruce tip mayonnaise, mussels Trudeau and rose spit halibut. $34.95. Whitecap.ca
• Subscription to The Growler craft beer handbook. Get the jump on all four of The Growler’s 2016 issues, containing insider info and untold stories about Vancouver’s booming craft beer scene. The first edition would arrive the week of March, followed by editions in June, September and December. $20. TheGrowler.ca
