Chocolate lovers…
If you’re really trying to spoil someone, a truly decadent chocolate offering is sure to hit the spot. Having tested more treats from amazing chocolatiers than we’d care to admit these two came out on top for taste and true indulgence…
Charbonnel et Walker – mini Champagne & truffle trio set
With the perfect balance of booze and blissfully smooth chocolate this gift set lets you sample the famous white, milk and dark chocolate range of truffles from Charbonnel et Walker. A mini bottle of Moët completes the decadence perfectly – Merry Christmas!
£38, charbonnel.co.uk
Bite down on the marbled shell and a flowing creamy caramel waits beneath. From the traditional royal red box to the tempting sea of shiny spheres inside, the recipient of this indulgent gift is sure to feel very special indeed.
£35, from demarquette.co.uk
A foreign affair…
If your loved one has a hankering for dishes far from home give them a gift to help them recreate flavours of distant lands…
Indian – John Lewis – 16 jar spice rack
This space-saving flavour carousel will help to exercise the discerning chef’s appetite for imaginative combinations or give the beginner a helping hand in experimenting with new taste sensations.
£45, johnlewis.com
It’s going to take some clever wrapping to disguise this sturdy Mason Cash stoneware under the tree. Electric and gas-friendly, every fan of Moroccan cuisine should have a quality tagine.
£45, debenhams.com
Italian – Imperia ravioli maker
Imperia pasta machines have an excellent reputation for being easy to use and providing excellent results. Budding Jamie Olivers won’t be able to wait to roll, crimp and fill their own homemade ravioli.
£45.65, thecookskitchen.com
These two-tier bamboo baskets will give any Chinese cook the chance to create dim sum like a pro. A separate utensil set will also help take stir-frys to another level.
Bamboo steamer £22.99. Utensil set £16.99, lakeland.co.uk
Gift packages…
Combine one of our faviourite cookbooks with a practical gift for the perfect Christmas package…
The bread package…
Brilliant bread by James Morton
The popular runner up from last year’s Bake Off takes the reader on an odyssey of dough in his first cookbook.
£20, randomhouse.co.uk
Combine with…
Sleek, simple and with a dual purpose, this bread bin with a beech chopping board lid is a great gift for a budding baker – whatever their skill level.
£30, next.co.uk
The baker’s package…
The Great British Bake Off
If you want to sufficiently impress friends at work with a traybake or give guests a memorable after-dinner treat, then Mary and Paul have a host of recipes and tips to help make your everyday bakes beautiful.
£20, bbcshop.com
Combine with…
Our food editor recommends a whole host of key equipment it’s useful to have when stepping up your baking, so there are lots of different gift ideas to choose from. We love Mason Cash mixing bowls, Joseph Joseph utensils and these Typhoon vintage kitchen scales.
£29.99, Lakeland
The beginner’s package…
Sam Stern’s Complete Cookery Course
Just 20 years old and on his fifth bestselling cookbook, Sam Stern is doing a pretty good job at getting beginner chefs in the kitchen. His latest book is packed with tips for mastering the basics and all the advice you need to become a confident cook.
£18.99, samstern.co.uk
Combine with…
Quality kitchenware rarely comes in such vibrant and fun form, but this handy pack from Joseph Joseph is the exception. If you’re buying for a true beginner, this pack complete with garlic crusher, rotary peeler and citrus fruit reamer will be used for years to come.
£25, josephjoseph.com
The healthy eater’s package…
The Hairy Dieters Eat For Life
Simon King and David Myers are back to inspire a whole new wave of weightloss with their second offering of low-fat, healthy recipes. A great gift for the health conscious, their latest book includes makeovers of some classics, plus tips and techniques to help you eat better.
£14.99, amazon.co.uk
Combine with…
This ingenious lunchbox solution will help those with good intentions stick to their healthy eating plans. Double wall insulation keeps food hot for up to five hours or cold for up to four.
£22.99, johnlewis.com
The party package…
Cicchetti
Few things sound quite as tempting as Italian tapas. This book by Lindy Wildsmith and Valentina Harris will show the consummate entertainer how to put together perfect plates of Venetian food.
£20, amazon.co.uk
Combine with…
These colourful dip bowls are the perfect kick-start to any host’s collection. Suitably bright for a tapas-style soiree, The Royal Doulton collection from John Lewis has several complementary pieces in the range.
£28, johnlewis.com
How will you be spoiling your foodie family and friends this Christmas?
