Procrastinators, Rejoice! We Reply Your Final-Minute Gifting Questions

Welcome to Hotline Rewind, the weekly sequence the place we collect up your questions from the week (and pepper in some from the Hotline archives) a couple of particular matter. We’re barreling in the direction of the vacations and requested our readers for all of their gifting questions.

The Hotline sat down with Jackson Fust, our Senior Director of Merchandising to assist higher reply your questions. Jackson is in command of doing tons of analysis and testing to make sure that every little thing bought on the Food52 store is of the best high quality and feels definitively particular. So mainly, he outlets for a residing. And because of this, he had some extremely useful last-minute procuring recommendation:

What’s the finest, last-minute present for food-focused buddies?

I’ll say it—we as a society want to maneuver on from present playing cards. They’re largely disappointing and lack that non-public contact. I additionally acknowledge we are able to’t all be good. Enter our subscriptions. Jackson loves our month-to-month grass-fed butter subscriptions, in addition to our salami of the month. If you get them organized by way of Food52, you additionally get lovely explainer PDFs that you could print and current to your recipient as a substitute of handing them a blurry image from the web.

My chef brother has every little thing. What’s one thing he received’t count on?

Jackson was tremendous fast to come back to 2 concepts: first, the the tremendous sturdy/sturdy Good Prep Rubber Chopping Board. Rubber slicing boards are a favourite of Japanese cooks for being straightforward to wash and actually type to your knives.

He additionally loves Holcomb’s Dripless Stainless-Metal Oil Can. Not solely is it a surprising assertion in your counter, however it’s really dripless. Now we have examined it for weeks, and it has stored our cooktops clear and oil-free.

What’s one thing folks can go with out shopping for this yr?

Jackson and our co-founder, Amanda, agree that the most important factor that’s “out” for the 2024 gifting season is PFA-based non-stick pans. There may be rising proof that PFAs or polyfluoroalkyl substances are dangerous in your well being and the surroundings.

As an alternative, they suggest getting a seasoned carbon-steel pan or the Our Place Titanium Nonstick At all times Pan Professional for mess-free vacation brunch. Not solely is it attractive, but it surely offers a pure nonstick floor that we imagine in.

What’s the final Food52 stocking stuffer?

Listed here are Jackson’s favourite little extras to offer this yr:

I’m over sweets! What are some good shelf-stable, savory treats I may give to my buddies?

Folks beneath estimate the facility of a do-it-yourself cracker! They’ll take a charcuterie board from good to unbelievable. Or grind them all the way down to bread crumbs for topping pasta.

Recommendation on cookbook shopping for?

Stalk their socials and takeout orders to see what your recipient likes to ea.! In the event that they order bibimbap each week, get a Korean cookbook! This yr I’m hoping I get Renato Poliafito’s DOLCI! His bakery, Ciao Gloria, is a 10-minute stroll from my place, and I’d say I’m going at the very least as soon as per week. He has unbelievable takes on basic Italian pastry and sweets. And I used to be capable of pattern a ton of them at Food52’s most up-to-date cookbook membership occasion, too.

What are one of the best cookies to ship by mail?

As a consequence of bumpy transit and unknown route temperatures, you’re going to need a cookie that’s sturdy and simple to pack tightly collectively to keep away from crumblage. I would additionally keep away from melty parts (chocolate, glaze, frosting and so on). Nea’s new Swedish Pecan Pralines are good!

Have extra vacation entertaining questions? Ask away on our Hotline or drop us a line at 1 (877)-52-HOTLINE.