2014 Gift Guide

It's that time of the season again to give thanks and presents to the food lovers in our lives. If you're looking for some gift suggestions,  here are some that have caught my eye that may tickle your fancy.

For more gift ideas, check out last year's Gift Guide.

• Auto-measuring Spice Rack
  Stylish and suitable for use under a cabinet or on a shelf, the removable spice compartments each feature an auto-measure for a perfect 1/ 4-teaspoon measurement, as well as the standard shaking and pouring methods.
  

• Baking Bad: Great Recipes. No Meth-in Around
  What could be better for a "Breaking Bad" fan than re-watching their favourite season with some Meth Muffins (complete with blue sugar crystals) and some Ricin Crispie Treats by their side? For fans of AMC's monster hit, the only gift that could be more perfect than this cookbook is a RV for another type of cooking.
  
• Beer Making Kit
  Whether it's a craft beer aficionado, or someone who just likes drinking beer, at some point, that person has considered brewing their own brew. With this gift, you can help them achieve that goal. Many local brewers started out doing this as a hobby, so who knows where this gift can go. Available for different styles of beer, the kit includes a set of 10 beer bottles, a bottle capper and caps.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Flameless Cooker
  No fire, no gas, no electricity? No problem. With this Japanese import, a meal can be cooked just about anywhere. Perfect for the camper or survivalist on your shopping list.
  
• Hand Free Wine Glass Holder
  Ideal for the attendee to the annual Wine and Food show or for people who like to talk with their hands when they drink.
  
• Mini Stovetop Smoker
  This will allow someone to have the flavour of smoked food from their stove-top without filling the house with actual smoke. It can also be used as a steamer, and who doesn't like cooking equipment that's multi.
  
• Muffin Tops Muffin Mold
  Even the health conscious can use a reminder to go to the gym. For those occasions, there are these muffin pans.
  
• Palm Peeler
  It makes peeling potatoes like child's play, and it's a safe way to allow children to help out preparing the vegetables for the day's meal.
  
• Smartphone-controlled Sous-Vide Machine
  Everything else seems to be controlled by your cellphone, why not a sous-vide machine? Tap the Mellow app on a cellphone, tell the cooker what temperature, how long, and when to begin making dinner, and by the time they get off the bus, their food has been cooked, using less electricity than their stove. Makes up to 6 adult servings of food.
  
• Spiral Vegetable Slicer
  Vegetarian cooking fans will love this tool for making things like garnishes for salads and vegetable noodles, a great pasta substitute.
  
• Star Wars Lightsaber BBQ Fork
  Whether a Jedi or a Sith, any fan of barbecue and the Star Wars movies would want a BBQ fork that looks just like a lightsaber. That should tide them over until Episode 7 arrives in theaters.
  
• Ultimate Wine Bottle Glass
  This is the glass for those days when the only things keeping a person from putting the bottle to their lips the second it's uncorked is dignity, self respect, and society.
  
• Umami: Unlocking the Secrets of the Fifth Taste
  For the food lover who wants to know more about the fifth taste, this book will give them both technical data and cultural history while allowing them to deploy umami like a pro.
  

Random Thoughts About Ottawa's Whole Foods

When the decision was made to redevelop Lansdowne Park, one of the selling points was that Whole Foods was going to be one of the stores in the commercial part of the new urban park concept for the area. My first exposure to the natural and organic foods supermarket chain was during an episode of "Top Chef" when the chefs were scrambling to buy ingredients for a QuickFire Challenge. I was surprised at the variety of items available in this store - someone bought an ostrich egg there for an omelet. The grand opening of the store was yesterday, so I made my way over during my lunch hour to see what all the fuss was about. Here's what I thought:

• It's not hard to be the shining jewel of the renovated Lansdowne Park when your competition is a Winners and a Sporting Life (think their opening days were as hyped and anticipated?).
• Some people braved a windchill of -17 Celsius and arrived at 6AM for a 9AM opening to say they were the first people inside. I was not one of those people, as I've never been in that much of a rush to give people my money.
• I hear the first 500 customers were given gift cards, ranging from $5 to $500 - nope, still not reason enough for me get there that early.
• It will be interesting to see how this company will fair in Ottawa once the coolness factor wears off.
• Not surprisingly, parking for this place is limited. Something to keep in mind if you're planning on buying a lot of groceries.
• I'm willing to bet that the majority of people here buying stuff would never think of buying similar products at any of the health food stores in Ottawa that were around before Whole Foods came to town.
• With more than 50 foods from Ontario and West Quebec producers, hopefully, this will be local enough for those concerned about their carbon footprint.
• They make use of every inch of the 39 000 square feet they have to play with. This is your one-stop-shop for all things organic, with a wide selection to choose from. Just don't expect that products will be any cheaper, organic food is still as expensive as ever.
• I had no idea there was more than one choice available when it comes to turnips.
• If you can get away with selling packages of asparagus with the ends removed to the lazy, more power to you.
• Not an ostrich egg to be seen.
• The cheese selection is second to none. Pretty good looking meat section and bakery as well.
• Best things I sampled: the fresh guacamole and the popcorn with drizzled chocolate on it.
• Despite Health Canada's assurances of safety, Whole Foods does not sell any genetically modified foods. I mention this because if you don't trust Health Canada, what exactly do you eat?
• Bought a fair trade coffee and the best carrot muffin I've ever eaten on the way out. 
• OVERALL IMPRESSION: Whole Foods lives up to the hype, it's a great store for natural and organic foods, with a wide selection of ingredients that will make your recipe that much better;  that said, I don't see it being a regular destination for anyone who doesn't live in the immediate area, or has money to burn.