Gift for a "foodie"

[peach]

My parents are big "foodies"

Any idea what to get them for Christmas? My budget is max $100. There are no cooking classes around here, at least not ones done by chefs. I can't afford a wine of the month club or something like that. 
They really like gadgets.
For example, they have a julienne peeler. A grill stone for their barbque. A pancake griddle. A vitamix blender with a million attachments. A pasta maker.

I was thinking of the spiraler? That thing that makes noodles out of anything..like vegetables and stuff. But it's only $40 so I'd still need more to go with.

They also have a massive cookbook collection so I guess I could get some cookbooks but I don't even know what they already have. I got them the Pioneer Woman cookbooks in the past and they loved them because of all the photos.

[gtkim]

What about a Himalayan salt plate?

[sierramist03]

Can you do something like Omaha steaks? Where they ship it to their house. I'm not sure if they would ship to you

[mrs.jacinthe]

Are they into any ethnic foods?

Ideas off the top of my head: sushi kit (mats, chopsticks, soy sauce bowls, etc), zojirushi rice machine, tortilla press, mortar/pestle, potato ricer (for better mashed potatoes), cookbook rack for the kitchen, awesome wine decanter (maybe one of those instant kinds - vinturi), food scale?

[magdala]

Last year, I gave my foodie friends a madeleine pan with madeleine recipes:
frenchfood.about.com/od/cookies/r/chocmadeleine.htm
honestcooking.com/french-madeleine-cakes-recipe/
and vhttp://www.marthastewart.com/333936/orange-cardamom-madeleines.

[bearkatjen]

Are they into entertaining as well? If so, maybe a unique set of desert plates or a coffee set. If not a wine of the month club, what about putting together a basket of 6 wines they haven't tried, or maybe some wines but some beers, coffees, or teas if they're into any of that.

[peach]

They already have most is the items mentioned. They so like to entertain but have at least three sets of dishes already. We don't have Omaha steaks.

This is hard! I do like the idea of a cookbook stand! And the fancy salts is a great idea but she already has a drawer full.
You guys are giving me at least something to go on though - thank you!

[panicked]

Get a good quality chef's knife. You can't ever have too many.

www.williams-sonoma.com/products/wusthof-classic-2-piece-hollow-ground-chefs-knife-set/?pkey=cknives-wusthof&cm_src=knives-wusthof||NoFacet-_-NoFacet-_--_-

[InBetweenDays]

Do they have a nice cast iron skillet? How about the slate cheese serving platters? Nice salt and pepper grinder with some fancy salts? Pizza stone and pizza peel?

Or, being from Seattle I have to recommend - what about some salmon (you can order form Pike Place Market online) and cedar planks for the grill?

[my4girls]

GC to penzys? Fun spices and they'll always need them

[wavepool]

Do they have a smoker? If not, there are some great stovetop smokers that are the perfect size for two people.

Sent from my SPH-L710 using proboards

[Deleted]

Is there a fun specialty grocery store in your area? If so I'd go there and pick out a few fun things and wrap with a gift card.

Or is there a nice meat market/butcher shop in your area? Around Christmas time they usually come out with all sorts of special/nice things too. I'd go stock up on some meat and spices or stuff to make to appetizers with.

Do they have a nice can opener? Sounds ridiculous I know, but my mom paid like $70.00 for a freakin' can opener and I have to admit it's the greatest thing ever. Cuts even all the time, no sharp edges, cuts through anything etc.

[auntie]

I gave my foodie friends olive oil, truffle oil and vinegar last Christmas-

www.thetubbyolive.com/

[TBM]

I adopted an olive tree from Nudo Italia for my brother and his wife one year. They loved the olive oil from 'their' grove.

He likes to buy nice shopping bags from specialty markets and fill them with unusual condiments and wine....always a fun gift to receive.

[simpsongal]

Ditto recommendation for Penzy's spices - they have some nice gift sets. That combined with nice oils & vinegar in a basket would be a good gift (maybe add some dish towels to beef it up). I'd shy away from stuff b/c foodies tend to be pretty particular about what cooking utensils, pans, etc. they buy.

[downtoearth]

Sept 30, 2013 18:40:17 GMT -5 panicked said:

Get a good quality chef's knife. You can't ever have too many.

www.williams-sonoma.com/products/wusthof-classic-2-piece-hollow-ground-chefs-knife-set/?pkey=cknives-wusthof&cm_src=knives-wusthof||NoFacet-_-NoFacet-_--_-

I took a couple chef classes and one was the "Zen of Chopping"  we used these relatively modest knives b/c they were awesome and the chef loves them b/c they are balanced well (not too heavy and not light at all).  Plus if you get one of these, then you can spend another $70 on one of the other items mentioned in this thread.

www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=swiss+army+chef+knife&tag=googhydr-20&index=aps&hvadid=31229556564&hvpos=1t1&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=97227496332471570&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=e&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_4kjtdvs7ud_e

[adhdfashion]

Vanilla beans, saffron, truffle oil,(foodie staples) and/or coconut oil, popcorn seeds with a book about the history of popcorn.

[pumpkin]

flavored olive oils and balsamic vinegars?

[IndiaInk]

Are they interested in local food? It may be too early to sign up for one for next year, but how about a CSA subscription from a local farm? (On second thought, that might be out of your budget, but it's an idea). Or how about some meat (bacon, lamb chops, steaks) from a local, pasture-based farm? You can look for farms in your area on EatWild.com.

ETA: gift card to a nice, high end restaurant.  You should be able to do pretty well with $100.    Or maybe a few bottles of very nice wine?

[SusanBAnthony]

Do they use an iPad?

A while ago I read an article about ten cool iPad gifts for chefs. I am sure it is out if date now, but that is an angle to consider.

[msmerymac]

Oct 1, 2013 6:45:38 GMT -5 auntie said:

I gave my foodie friends olive oil, truffle oil and vinegar last Christmas-

www.thetubbyolive.com/

This place is amazing! It's my favorite part of reading terminal market. I tell everyone about the awesome place with the balsamic vinegars.