We asked chefs and bartenders what they’d like to receive this holiday season. Read on for some of their favorite items, from the products that make their working lives easier to the tools they’d gift a colleague. —Mary Anne Porto, editor, Punch |
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P.S.: TILIT’s collection of aprons has something for everyone, from wrinkle-free chef editions to sleek server options. Pre Shift readers can take 15 percent off sitewide until January 15 with the code TILITxEPS15. Might we suggest picking up a Cambro cup, as well?
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The Best Gifts for Chefs and Bartenders -
The ultimate mortar and pestle. New York’s Hellbender uses the larger version of this artisanal molcajete to make chunky salsas and grind spices. Chef Yara Herrera says the smaller size would make an excellent gift for any chef or home cook.
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Meet speed pour royalty. “In a world of speed pours, only one reigns supreme,” says Jay Sanders, owner of the bars Drastic Measures and Wild Child in Kansas City, Missouri. He uses the spouts from Crew Bottle Co. at both and says he “can’t endorse them enough for anyone looking for a better and easier-to-clean option.”
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The multiuse blade that makes prep work a breeze. Dillon Raaz, bar director at Seattle’s Atoma, recommends this petty knife for everything prep-related, from delicately trimming citrus peels to chopping up pineapple.
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And a tool to keep it sharp. Young Ju “Simon” Lee, executive chef at Kisa in New York, recommends this sharpening stone. “Just knowing how to maintain your knives well can demonstrate professionalism and passion, which can be a huge advantage no matter where,” he says.
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Two books to add to their shelf. For Hunter Evans, owner and executive chef of Elvie’s in Jackson, Mississippi, “continuing to grow as a manager is important.” He recommends this book, about owning a restaurant empire, and this one, about “over-the-top, bespoke hospitality.”
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The opener that does it all. This “master opener” works for cans, bottles and jars—it’s a favorite household gadget of Eric Chung, chef-owner of Flaming Ox in San Jose, California.
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Make your home smell like a cool restaurant. Patricia Howard, co-owner of Lord’s and Dame in New York, likes to gift these woodsy coconut wax candles, the same ones that burn in both of her restaurants.
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For sake experiences at home. “I really love sake, and it’s fun when you’re presented with a collection of ochoko to choose from at restaurants, so with this set at home, you can do the same for your dinner guests,” says Ria Kim, maître d’ at Smoke Door Lake Tahoe Saryo.
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You can’t go wrong with a wine key. Reed Windle, bar lead at n/soto in Los Angeles, says these are “cheap and indestructible,” while Kim says, “This one is both highly functional and beautiful, so it makes a really nice gift.”
- The minimalist spatula chefs swear by. Chef Johnny Courtney of Atoma “can’t live without” these wooden cooking spatulas. Their flat, tapered design means they’re easy to maneuver and easy to clean.
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- An indispensable guide for pairings. Windle recommends The Flavor Matrix.
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Who wouldn’t want this soju dispenser? Irene Yoo, co-owner of New York’s Orion Bar, says it’s the ultimate party trick.
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Yes, you do need a dedicated nutmeg grater. Kitty Bernardo, of Paradise Lost in New York, knows this is a niche tool, but says the conical shape of this specific grater is more portable than a microplane and can also act as the storage vessel for whole spices when not in use. “It’s the only style of grater I’ll use for nutmeg or any other hard spices behind the bar these days,” they say.
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For the bakers in your life. Estevan Silva, pastry chef at Camélia in Los Angeles, considers this tool a must, and appreciates the versatility of these proofing boxes for everything from pizza to pretzels to storing and transporting.
- Finally, some self care. Sarah Seghi, executive chef at Austin, Texas’ Eberly, recommends gifting colleagues a massage: “Chefs stand all day long, and this will force them to take some time for themselves.”
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Unlock your restaurant’s full potential this season with our exclusive holiday hub. Access festive campaign ideas, revenue-boosting tips, and expert insights on email and text marketing that drive bookings. Plus, find guides on hosting holiday parties, managing reservations, and maximizing every seat. Whether it’s Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah or New Year’s, this hub has the tools you need to make this holiday season your most profitable one yet. |
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What cooking- or bartending-related gifts are you giving this year? Do you have a notoriously difficult person to shop for on your list? Email preshift@voxmedia.com to let us know, and we may have an idea for you! If you like this email, please forward it to a friend. If you aren’t signed up for this newsletter, you can do so right here. |
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