Gift Guides

Gift Analysis: The Urban Foodie

June 29, 2010

If you’re brainstorming a birthday gift for a foodie, I strongly recommend squashing the urge to take them out to dinner. But they live for foie gras! I hear you. If they’re anything like my brother–a seasoned eater who fist-bumps up-and-coming chefs on a weekly basis (I’m looking at you, Marc Forgione)–chances are they’ve been there, tasted that. They’re the original picky eaters. How many times have they shooed away an entree, waving it back to a restaurant’s kitchen as you nervously twitch towards the water boy? If you’re quietly counting, they pass the taste test.

A foodie, not unlike a bargain hunter, lives for the thrill of discovery. Hand them what they didn’t hunt on a silver platter, and half the flavor’s gone–figuratively speaking. Unless you’re treating them to a five course tasting menu, here’s an idea for an unexpected gift: the Mobile Foodie Survival Kit. Your wallet–and five-star friend–will thank you.

Mobile Foodie Kit

This little pack gets so many things right: It’s portable, chic and chock full of organic spices. A case of bland chicken? Shake a leg with garlic powder! Wimpy hot wings? Tabasco to the rescue! Sandwich falls flat? Salt, pepper and basil–stat! How do they love you? Let them count the herbs, spices and ways you’ll make their day.

I gifted this at a pub gathering two weeks ago. Sitting at a sticky table of friends glued to the screen of a World Cup game, pints and painted faces cresting with anticipation, I tapped Chris on the shoulder and handed over the tin. His eyes scanned: Mobile. Foodie. Survival. And before he read another line his fingers broke into the tin like a third grade birthday boy. “Powdered ginger! Wasabi! Onion powder, ooh.” The tinkering continued, and I left, satisfied that my gift was cool enough to tear him from a high-stakes soccer game. Mission accomplished.

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