Gifts for the kitchen are especially appreciated in these dark, cold times. That doesn’t mean they all have to be cozy, though. Here we’ve made some healthy choices and some that just feel good.
(L) Nice: The Splendiferous Array of Culinary Tools, a poster by Pop Chart Lab, is handsome enough to please even someone who keeps shoes in her oven. $32 at Good Egg (267 Augusta Ave).
(R) Naughty: For the wannabe Iron Chef, only a wicked-sharp Sakai Takayuki Grand Chef knife will do. Sold at Knife (658 Queen St. W).
(L) Nice: The way to a sports-lovin’ man’s stomach is definitely through local artist Eric Quebral‘s “I Miss The Old Blue Jays Plate.” $92.93 (get it??) at the Drake General Store (1150 Queen St. W).
(R) Naughty: UK brand Evthokia makes vampiric dinnerware. ~$40 at Hidden Art Shop.
(L) Nice: Chiasso‘s “Heifer Pitcher” is, sorry, udderly wholesome. $18 (USD) at Chiasso.com.
(R) Naughty: From quirksome artist David Shrigley comes this salt-and-pepper set. Hide them when the in-laws come. $140 at Magic Pony.
(L) Nice: This La Tourangelle gift set is perfect for the aspiring gourmand, a.k.a. anyone who isn’t yet ridiculous enough to buy walnut, white truffle, and sesame oils for himself. $22.99 (sale) at The Healthy Butcher (565 Queen St. W and other locations).
(R) Naughty: Skillet bacon jam can make even the most innocent sandwich a downright baconalian affair. $6.95 at All The Best Fine Foods (1101 Yonge St).
(L) Nice: A trs genteel guide for afternoon people: The French Art of Tea. $28 at Pink Tartan (77 Yorkville).
(R) Naughty: Gut decision? The “Gluttony” edition of the Seven Deadly Sins dictionary series works. $12.95 at Rolo Store (24 Bellair St).
(L) Nice: Roll, roll, roll your dough, gently with this pin. Designed by Tahir Mahmood and made from Indian Rosewood. $54 at Pimlico Design Gallery (789 Dupont St).
(R) Naughty: A sleek, no-stress, no-splatter T-Fal deep-fryer. What? We’re hungry. $160 at The Bay.
(L) Nice: A vintage seltzer bottle. $55 at Love The Design (1362 Queen St. E).
(R) Naughty: An Eames mug, covered in pills, is so Valley of the Dolls. No? ~$18 at UK design shop TwentyTwentyOne.com.
(L) Nice: The Art of Herbs pairs the work of Canadian encaustic artist Susan Wallis with the food writing of Cynthia Peters.
(R) Naughty: And Jennifer McLagan’s Odd Bits gets down to the nasty business of whole-hog cooking. Both books at The Cookbook Store (850 Yonge St).
