Foodie gift guide
Whether you know an amateur chef, a wine aficionado or just a good eater, there's probably a foodie on your holiday shopping list. These items are made in Maryland by and for folks with a deep love of food and drink.
Handcrafted in Baltimore by Henry's Furniture, these cutting boards make a good gift as a set or individually. They can be used for chopping, serving or for decoration.
Huckle's, a local hot sauce line, grows its own organic peppers at farms in Baltimore and Baltimore County. The sauces come in flavors including Classic Chipotle, Fire-Roasted Habanero, Fire-Roasted Jalapeno and Original Honion.
Baltimore authors Kathy Wielech Patterson and Neal Patterson published their latest book, “Maryland's Chesapeake” on Aug. 1. The book chronicles the history of the Chesapeake Bay and its influence on regional cuisine, and it touches on current trends in sustainable dining. “Maryland's Chesapeake” also highlights classic Maryland dishes and modern versions of those recipes.
Open Eyes Press sells screen-printed tea towels and napkins made by Baltimore artist Rachael Kondylas. Her designs feature crabs, bees, cheese and other food themes.
A Texas transplant, Trisha's Almond Toffee has been handmade in Baltimore for the last several years. The toffee comes in five regular flavors: milk chocolate, dark chocolate, white chocolate, milk chocolate with sea salt and dark chocolate with sea salt. It's also offered in seasonal flavors like pumpkin spice.
Chefs Jerry Pellegrino and Amy von Lange teach the origins of different types of cuisine and a variety of preparation methods at Schola (1005 N. Charles St.) — from pizza to holiday pie. Most of the BYOB sessions run three hours, during which students make and eat their own creations. Topics for coming classes include Winter Date Night (Jan. 6), Korean BBQ (Jan. 7), Soups (Jan. 11), Doughnuts (Jan. 12), Tacos, Etc. (Jan. 19) and Ramen (Jan. 21).
Community-supported agriculture continues to spread across Maryland. Most participating farms offer weekly or biweekly shares of produce, eggs and/or meat to members in the spring and summer — a great early-bird gift — and some offer winter shares, too. Zahradka Farm in Essex, for instance, offers a 14-week winter CSA from January to April, with small ($550), medium ($850) and large ($1,080) shares.
Made by local artist Amanda Adams of Close Call Studio, these felt food ornaments make perfect stocking stuffers. Shapes include avocados, mushrooms and strawberries.
A currency exclusive to the Mount Vernon Marketplace, Market Bucks can be used at any of the food hall's 14 vendors. The varied offerings at the Marketplace include Pinch Gourmet Chinese Dumplings, Mi & Yu Noodle Bar, the Local Oyster and Mina's Crepes.
Made by local craftsman John Wells, known as “That Wood Guy,” this wine rack holds two bottles. The rack features an exposed raw edge and smooth holes for each bottle.
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