Chicago Foodie Sister’s Holiday Foodie Gift Guide

Happy Holidays! Hope you're enjoying all the merriment of the season and enjoying it to the fullest. It's time to bring you our 2025 Holiday Foodie Gift Guide. If you have someone who is a foodie on your list, these are some favorites of mine that I think anyone will love - especially those who are enamored with cooking or who love little luxuries.

CUTLUXE KNIVES ($44.99)

First up, everyone needs good knives in their kitchen. My favorite that I have is a Cultuxe santoku knife. My 7-inch knife is high, quality and comes in a sturdy padded box, making it great for gift giving. It is part of the Artisan Series. Even better, get them a whole set with block to replace what they've got.

VILLA GRAZIELLA

I've been a fan of Villa Graziella since first tasting it at the Good Food Festival in Chicago many years ago. And I've fallen in love with everything I've tried - from their Extra Virgin Tuscan Olive Oil to their balsamic vinegars to their seasonings. They are superb quality and will elevate any dish. They also have a line of Italian wines that are perfect for gifting. Check out their website for some nice boxed gift sets.

TEA ADVENT CALENDARS

 I'm a big tea drinker, but I don't like to drink the same brand and flavor over and over. As with any type of food or beverage, I prefer to sample rather than stick to one item. Advent calendars are a great way to try out new teas. I've seen some really fun ones from favorite brands like Tiesta Tea, the Republic of Tea, Harney & Sons, Tea Forte and others. Great for gifting or for yourself. 

R. U. KIDDING ME? ($39.95)

Cookbooks make great gifts and this is one that is full of a variety of classic recipes and some updated favorites all made by Tik Tok sensation, Darryl Postelnick. He's been a favorite Tik Toker of mine since I discovered him in 2020 (and blogged about him) cooking up meals on his flattop grill in his backyard kitchen. I love that he's from the Chicago burbs, so so much of what he is making is familiar - the dishes, the ingredients. He also has a dog named Cubbie - which scores extra points with this die-hard Cubs fan. His fun personality and "R U Kidding Me?" tagline make each video so fun to watch. He's the dad everyone wishes he had and there's nothing he can't cook. Get 2 copies - one for your kitchen library and one for your favorite cook. And if you haven't seen his videos, look up "Cooking with Darryl" on social media.

THE ULTIMATE PIZZA COOKBOOK ($25)

Here's another new cookbook that works for a lot of people on your gift list - mom, dad, brother-in-law, babysitter, neighbor, co-worker. Everyone loves pizza. This book by Sarah Haas includes 75 creative ways to prepare your next pizza pie.

ZWILLING ELECTRIC TEA KETTLE ($59.99)

This electric tea kettle from Zwilling has been one of my favorite gifts I have ever received. My foodie sister knows I love tea like she does and got it for me as a gift this past year. I had wanted one since staying at a friend's in Canada last year where she had it ready for us with hot water each morning. It quickly brings your tea up to the optimum temperature and it stays warm for quite some time so that you can easily refresh your cup.

HARNEY & SONS SCHITT'S CREEK COLLECTION ($14)

At first I thought it was odd that this Schitt's Creek tea collection from Harney & Sons was being released quite a while after the series has ended, but it's just further proof that it was an amazing show with lasting power that continues to have a loyal following - myself included. If you have any Schitt's Creek fans in your circles, grab a tin of Rosebud Motel Continental Breakfast, Cafe Tropical - Tropical Green or Rose Apothecary Botanical Blend.

CRIPPLING HOT SAUCE

Don't we all have at least one hot sauce lover in our life? Help them spice up their dishes with some new hot sauce to add to the mix. There are so many out there to choose from, but this one has a cool little backstory that makes it stand out. Founder Drew Davis, who has cerebral palsy has an inspiring story of how the sauce came to be. He came up with Crippling Hot Sauce as an idea for a business project in high school. When the straight A student got a B on the project, he prodded his teacher as to why. The teacher said it was "unrealistic" and that feedback fueled him to make his project happen in real life. He makes a great product and donates part of the proceeds to cerebral palsy research.

BNUTTY PEANUT BUTTER

I love the variety of flavors from BNutty, which is produced in Northwest Indiana. These gourmet nut butters come in some wonderful flavor combos, like Simply Salted Caramel, Blissful Blueberry and Raspberry White Chocolate. You'll find some fun gift packages on their website. It's a tasty treat for the foodies on your list. I love dipping pretzels in it. My kids love PB & J sandwiches with their product. And it's never a bad idea to just grab a spoon and eat right out of the jar!

 

Also, my new book, Unique Eats and Eateries of Indiana was released a couple months ago and features 83 eateries from around the state. It's fun for foodie, fans of nostalgia or those who love road trips. It's not reviews, but rather stories of the eateries - the history, the people behind and and what makes it so unique. You can find it on ReedyPress.com, BN.com and Amazon.com as well as in several bookstores and gift shops in the Midwest.