Foodie gift guide

Foodie gift guide

10 epicurean delights for the gourmet in your life

Georgina Campbell's 'Ireland - The Guide;

De Longhi's Perfecta ESAM 5500

Hampers from Harvey Nichols

Cookery Course

Michel Cluizel

KithcenAid's cult mixers

Restaurant Voucher

'Cooks Recipe Collection', a vintage style journal

Xanthe Clay's 'Recipes To Know By Heart'

Afternoon tea at The Merrion Hotel

1. The Guidebook

Georgina Campbell's 'Ireland – The Guide' is an essential stocking filler for anyone who loves to dine out or take gourmet breaks. From fabulous hotels to great restaurants, ethnic eateries to boutique B&Bs, this up-to-the-minute, independently assessed guide ensures against ever having another mediocre meal in Ireland. €20 from good bookshops or
www.ireland-guide.com

2. The Coffee Machine

De'Longhi's Perfecta ESAM 5500 will be welcomed by any coffee connoisseur. Alongside sleek silver styling its digital control panel allows the user choose and memorise their coffee preferences such as length, strength and temperature. The bean-to-cup system grinds a fresh portion of beans for each cup and, at the touch of a button, the Perfecta froths fresh milk in a special carafe which can be stored in the fridge when not in use! From leading electrical retailers, €1,100. www.delonghi.com

3. The Hamper

So many Christmas hampers are crammed full of quirky condiments you'll never eat, In contrast, Harvey Nichols' Gourmet Christmas Hamper is the perfect choice for serious foodies who can enjoy the gourmet goodies well after the festivities end. Think aged balsamic vinegar, arborio rice, dried porcini mushrooms, extra virgin olive oil and truffle oil – 20 items in all from their premium Own Label collection. €195, from Harvey Nichols Foodmarket, Dundrum Town Centre. www.harveynichols.com

4. The Cookery Course

With dozens of cookery schools opening around the country it's easier than ever to find one close to home. Buy a gift voucher, so your recipient can choose the type of cooking or baking lessons they'd prefer. For the best choice of courses we recommend Ballyknocken House & Cookery School (thecookeryschool.ie), Ballymaloe (cookingisfun.ie), Cook's Academy (cooksacademy.com) and Dunbrody House (dunbrodyhouse.com).

5. The Cookbook

Xanthe Clay's 'Recipes To Know By Heart' is destined to become an all-time classic. The Saturday Telegraph's cookery columnist, Xanthe's recipes are brilliantly accessible, imaginative and foolproof. Start off by mastering 42 core recipes (everything from roasts to casseroles, quiches to breads), then experiment with her seasonal variations, which will add hundreds of brilliant new meals to your repertoire. With great photos, clear techniques and no-nonsense descriptions, this is the perfect primer for budding cooks. (Mitchell Beazley, €30).

6. The Luxury Chocolates

Swanky chocolates are always a winner. This box of indulgent Michel Cluizel beauties features creamy ganache centres of both 85% and 99% cocoa wrapped in chocolate shells of 60% cocoa content to counter any bitterness. €7.85 from a selection at Terroirs, Donnybrook, Dublin 4. www.terroirs.ie

7. The Gadget

KitchenAid's cult mixers have more than good looks (although who could resist the retro styling and lollipop colours they're available in?), and are firm favourites with the professional cooking fraternity. Any bread-making, cake-baking foodie will appreciate its versatility, (it comes with three hooks), durability and style. A status symbol for the worktop. €549, from leading electrical retailers. www.kitchenaid.co.uk

8. The Restauratn Voucher

January's always a lean month, so dining out often slips off the radar. Pick up a voucher for a fabulous restaurant and give the gift of a gourmet blowout. If you're out to impress we'd recommend choosing one of our Michelin-starred establishments: Bon Appetit, Chapter One, L'Ecrivain, Mint, Restaurant Michael Deane, Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud or Thornton's.

9. The Journal

'Cooks Recipe Collection', a vintage style journal for stashing recipes and pages torn from cookery magazines, is an ideal gift for the keen cook who enjoys collecting recipes. Wine Journal is a handsome interactive organiser for recording tasting notes alongside expert advice on all aspects of choosing, storing and enjoying wine. Perfect as an oenophile's stocking filler. (Ryland, Peters & Small, €20 each from SWALK and good gift shops.)

10. The Afternoon Treat

Cream cakes, cucumber sandwiches, silver teapots, delicate pastries, clotted cream: what sybarite won't love an invitation to afternoon tea at one of Ireland's finest establishments. Expect to pay around €60 for two, while enjoying lavish service and gourmet grazing all afternoon. Our favourite spots include The Merrion Hotel (pictured) and Four Seasons Hotel, Dublin, Hayfield Manor, Cork, and Aghadoe Heights in KIllarney.

December 14, 2008