* Jamie Oliver’s Beetroot Relish – lots of people looking for this. Heaven knows why they click through here though, as Jamie Oliver’s own site comes out top of the search, and is the obvious place to look to buy this.

* Most beautiful cookbooks – I wrote a blog post with that term pretty much as the title, so guess that’s why people end up at this post. I still think that the Penguin Great Food books are the most beautiful books, and the three I’ve bought so far have been fascinating reading, as well as some great recipes.

* Gifts for spice lovers – I’ve written about all kinds of spice and heat since I started the blog, and it’s something we’re quite keen on here at Tarver Towers anyway. I wrote a post last year on this theme, covering everything from the hottest of the hot from Chilli Pepper Pete through to the great aromatics from Arabica.

* Lambrini gifts – do you lot never learn? I have nothing nice to say about them.

* Bespoke coffee tampers – be very happy if the person searching for this is buying for you. I think it’s a fabulous gift for a serious coffee lover, and I found one at a great site called Has Bean Coffee.

* Christmas tea towels – I love a great tea towel for every occasion. I’m not sure if these were searches for tea towels for Christmas gifts, or Christmassy tea towels. If I need a tea towel, then it has to be To Dry For. If they don’t have what you need, I don’t think you need it.

* Diamond Jubilee chefs aprons – blimey, some of you are organised! I’m still tieing up this Christmas, let alone getting into next year. I did briefly mention a vintage apron that might work for a street party next year but that’s as close as I’ve got to thinking about it!

Full marks to the person looking for a gold star champagne saucer. I’m still loving mine, though mine are less sophisticated as I have a mismatched set including a Babycham one. Good luck with your present hunting, let me know if you are looking for anything interesting, or having trouble finding something.

Not what you were hoping for?

The weather is getting colder, and I see the countdown to Christmas most definitely beginning. Which makes me think about what will be appearing as Christmas gifts for food lovers. And just how many disappointing things there might be out there. So here’s a few thoughts on things I really, really hope not to see:

* Please, enough with the giant peppermills filled with different coloured peppercorns. If we wanted one we’d have one by now. And those of us left don’t want one, thanks.

* Blueberry vodka filled glass stilettos. Ever.

* Yet another lazy gift on the theme of keeping calm and carrying on. Mostly we’re quite tired of carrying on. We’re certainly quite tired of all the variations.

* Cupcakes. Enough already.

* Badging by chefs, and the same chefs at that. I’m all for great chefs doing great things, that really match up with what they do (I was a big fan of the stuff the Hairy Bikers did last year). But it seems there’s just more of the same from the old crew, with not much room being made for any of the interesting new talent coming through. Who probably wouldn’t want to do badging type exercises anyway. Which is what would make them interesting to us…oh well, we can live in hope.

*Mrs Bridge’s preserves. Sure they are very nice, but there is so much great preserving going on in the UK now that there are so many more interesting choices to make.

* Spice racks. Because in 4 years time you’ll find some still not opened, which when you do will all taste like dust. Exactly the same dust, regardless of what they originally started out as.

* Anything involving Pot Noodles. No, not all “heritage” brands are iconic or ironic, and some are not worth keeping alive.

Just my views, and fairly scared I am going to see some of these. What do you think, what should they stop trying to peddle as gifts for food lovers?

Not what you were hoping for?

I’m always, in a fairly geeky and nosy way, really interested in the different ways that people end up here, and the search terms that they’ve used. Particularly the very odd ones. I mean it’s probably fairly obvious that a lot of people are going to get here searching for foodie gifts, but there’s always a few where I think they may be disappointed.

And Christmas normally throws up some interesting ones, if only from an insight into humanity rather than anything vaguely food related. Here’s my current crackers:

* Bad taste gift – unusual to set out with this as an ambition! Although many of us have been on the receiving end of this request I’m sure. Last year I’d have pointed them in the direction of the blueberry vodka filled glass stiletto. And I’ve been so busy this year looking for the good stuff, which has been in plentiful supply that I’ve not found great howlers, but would imagine I could always fall back on Debenhams, Superdrug or my personal naff favourite, The Original Gift Co.

* Stocking filler gadget gift for foodie – oh lord, this would probably strike fear into most food lovers! This is where things like pizza cutters based on power tools and onion goggles turn up. Please, don’t bother. Spend the money on decent olive oil for us instead.

* Naff Christmas gifts – see point 1. Really, when money’s short, you’d set out with that aim?!

* Crystal ball – well, I guess a few foodies would like one to predict what the next big food trend would be, and then we’d all buy into it, take the cash and retire, to eat.

* Cherry B wine – seriously, someone still wants to buy this? Anyway, I normally find Asda is the best source for Grandma drinks.

I think the one thing I’ve definitely come to agree with, there is no accounting for taste! I’ll share the better taste stuff later in the week!

Fantastic photo by MonkeySimon on Flickr.

* For lovers of cake, the I really love this Cake and Jelly design from Clare Carter Designs. Based on original drawings, I think it’s pretty, feminine and unusual enough to get a coo of surprise on Christmas morning.

 * You want kitsch, you want retro, and you want full on festive spirit? I would stop by Cath Kidston and snap up this Christmas trees half apron. I think it has the right vibe for recreating a Mad Men style Christmas, so shake up a few Martinis and whip this one on before handing out the vol au vents.

 * Even if, like me, you loathe Marmite, it’s okay I think to admire the iconic design of the jar and label. I love this funky apron, with its great colours and design, it will certainly brighten up cooking time. Eating the black stuff is entirely and totally optional!

 *Go clean lines, contemporary and iconic with this cotton apron with a print of Battersea Power Station. You could give this one to all kinds of food lovers, whether Battersea dwellers or those with a big interest in contemporary architecture. Definitely beats a comedy apron hands down!

 * Staying with the cultured theme, I really love Culture Label as an online source for gifts. From them, I’d go for this apron with the iconic London Underground Summer Sales print. Colourful and nostalgic without being twee, it’s a great piece of design, and looks great on this large scale.

 * I am not sure if this next one is for the kitchen or something to keep in your wardrobe. It’s certainly not something you would want to get splashed with the effects of real cooking. I would suggest it would be perfect for someone who likes the idea of cooking but perhaps isn’t into the full works. But very good at reheating things and serving beautifully. From one of my favourite shops, Anthropologie, but only if you’re feeling particularly flush. They’re not seeing much of my custom this year.

 * And of course it wouldn’t be Christmas without a comedy apron, would it? Well, I could pass but if you must, then this one at least has a vague food theme! Presents for Men will be happy to dispatch this Hot Sausage apron to you, whether the recipient will be pleased to get it remains to be seen!

Aprons are a great standby gift for food lovers of all types, and all ages, and are up there with tea towels for me as things that you never really justify spending money on yourself so even more of a treat when someone gets you a really nice one. Plus they have the benefit of being very easy to wrap!

Pre Christmas bargain hunting can begin, as I seem to have a raft of emails from retailers offering big discounts already. In fact, all seem to be offering the same discount, which is a significant 20% off. Which means good gift hunting time! Here’s who has what.

Habitat - 20% off from now until 5 December, with an extra special shopping day this Thursday, when everything is 25% off between 5pm and midnight. This is just on full price items, you’ll need code AW1CE2 at checkout. Be tempted by the Le Creuset rectangular dish, not to mention great gifts like martini glasses (no one buys their own), shopping bags with great prints, and a very nice Sake jug.

Debenhams – running up to 20% off in most departments through till Sunday. Now I did take the mick out of Debenhams a lot last year, but I still think it was warranted! There’s a wide selection of food gifts, some of which are tasteful, and you could also use this discounted moment to buy useful kitchen gadgets that may otherwise be out of reach. But sadly there is no repeat of last year’s glass stiletto and blueberry vodka. I know, shame on us for not getting it when we could!

Tate Online Shop - head upmarket and cultured, but the Tate shop is a great source for unusual gifts, even for food lovers. They have 20% off until Friday 3 December with code VCX20, and plenty to shop for at all kinds of prices. You can get Tate Modern or Tate Britain honey, from their own hives, or get one of each and taste the difference. There’s a whole range, not to mention variety, of very arty mugs of every era and style for your morning cuppa. Aprons and tea towels get a touch of culture, not to mention trays and fridge magnets. Worth a look, particularly if you’ve got a very hard to please food lover on your gift shopping list.

I’ve no real idea how to make a food link to the fact that Figleaves are also doing 20% off across their site, other than perhaps to say that if we have all enjoyed our food as much as normal, then maybe discounted Spanx could be a great gift. But I’d be pretty sure about that before I risked sending them to someone for Christmas. Could be very lonely this Christmas if they take it the wrong way! Use code TWENTY at check out if taking the risk. Or just buying nice, warm socks.

Happy shopping!

Twenty pound note photo by Howard Lake on Flickr.

And Amazon bring all sorts to the door. Except I don’t tend to think of them for anything outside of books,DVDs and CDs. So a bit amazed when looking at what’s in the Kitchen and Dining section. Loving some of these new things!

* Lego Lunch Box – I love these! Really wide age appeal I should think, boys and girls, young and old. As we all settle in for a frugal winter, if you’re going to be taking packed lunches, do it in style!

*Delonghi KG79 Professional Burr Grinder – I think this is just relatively new to Amazon rather than completely new. Still, if you’ve got a caffeine freak or home barista, then they need a decent grinder, because they need to be grinding their own beans.

* James Martin Digital Steamer – I’m not mad keen on excess gadgets in the kitchen, but I guess a steamer is not a bad one, if that’s a style of cooking that you like a lot. Personally, I’ll be sticking with the old fashioned steamer over pan of water approach, but if you love gadgets this may tick the boxes for you. Maybe I need to give one a dry run to see if we use it.

* Philips HD7860/60 SENSEO Quadrante Coffee Pod System - if you don’t want the fuss of all that grinding and tamping, not to mention cleaning, then maybe this is the coffee maker for you. My mum in law has an early version, and it does produce a good crema, and it depends on how richer a pod you buy. I prefer this to the aluminium pod system that’s around, at least you can compost what you use with this! Styling is sleek, results could be more than passable.

* I was never a great fan of Ready Steady Cook, but their new baking range with silicone handles seems like a very practical development.

* I really like Joseph Joseph, and I really like this new worktop saver. The utensils design is great, and the monochrome colour scheme will work for lots of people and colour schemes. 

And here’s one no kitchen/tea drink needs: the toilet mug. Happy shopping!

Here comes Christmas

I don’t know why I’m not better organised, as Abergavenny and our wedding anniversary always fall at a very similar time. And it’s not as though I wouldn’t find huge amounts of interesting stuff to do in Abergavenny. Or as if I’m the only one in with a passing interest in food in our household.

But we weren’t that organised, which is why my foodie experience of the weekend is browsing the Christmas catalogue from Lakeland. I know, I’d missed the foodie highlights of Chester as well, but those are tales for another day.

Now, I am a fairly big Lakeland fan, and have featured stuff from them on a fairly regular basis. Which means that I am possibly fairly disposed to forgive them some truly naff gifts. If only on the basis of giving us a great laugh reading out the description for the Gentlemen’s Organiser. I mean, who’d have thought you could build on the success of the Empty Your Pockets Organiser?

Anyway, on the food front I think they do a lot better. At the top end of their pricing, they’ve got some decent looking hampers from St Kew, with things in them that I can actually imagine eating. As the various parents get older, and want less things, then I begin to see the attraction of hampers. And the gourmet basket contains things I can imagine them enjoying, like shortbread, fudge and chutney. This is definitely for tasty add ons, rather than filling up your store cupboards.

If you’ve got someone in your circle that is gluten intolerant, then I love the look of the Country Fare Gluten-Free Fruit & Brandy Cake. It certainly looks moist and boozy, and would make a great treat compared to some of the gluten free stuff that I’ve tried. This would make a great gift, or a great alternative Christmas cake.

There’s really not much at all on the savoury front, with just two products that fall into that category. Maybe more things will follow, but for now there is an olive oil and a tub of pumpkin seeds. Except you then discover it’s just bad cataloguing on the site, and if you check under cook’s gifts, then there are a whole heap of other options like chutneys, spiced nuts and spicy sauces.

Really, it’s all about the sweets and chocolates, so plenty for the sweet toothed. Good to see some slightly more unusual things like hard turronand Nurzia nougat, and could be tempted by dark chocolate covered glace figs too. They surely must almost count as a health food!

I think Lakeland are a good source for stocking fillers, they’ve got a good range of sweets and chocolates on 3 for 2 (which are always good standby gifts) and you can stock up on all manner of kitchen gadgets and gizmos at the same time.

Or a Gentlemen’s Organiser.
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Have a cupcake, all week!

Cupcakes must be coming to the end of their shelf life, as they now have their own national week. There was a competition to find the best cupcakes in the UK, with David Bennett of the Sunshine Bakery in Chapel Allerton winning the title with his Banana & Mango cupcake. Sounds delicious, although I’m very partial to Peyton & Byrne’s coconut and raspberry myself.

Of course there are great places to buy them, but they are also something very satisfying to knock up at home, either on  your own as a creative outlet, or something brilliant to do with kids as long as you’re not obsessed with neat finishes or perfect decorations! Need some extra supplies? Here’s a few places and things to help you brighten up your cupcake baking this week, and every week.

* Starting point for most of my baking needs would have to be Lakeland. Searching cupcake reveals 34 different things, from cupcake wrappers to cupcake stands, to even an electric cupcake maker. Although that strikes me as as gadget too far for most kitchens!

* I really like Cake Cookies & Crafts Shop,who have a fantastic selection of cupcake cases, to really match up with any theme you might want. Spots, zebra, footballs, princessy, gingham, blossom even camo ones, so truly something for everyone, not to mention every possible colourway too. There are some great ones for Halloween and Christmas, if you’re the organised type. If you’re going to go down the make your own gifts route this Christmas time then they also have a great selection of boxes to hold your creations.

* If you want a real specialist site, then try Cupcake Style. One of the things you’ve got to love about the web is that it allows these really focused sites to exist, that would find it difficult to exist on the high street. This site has everything from sprinkles to decorations, cases to sugar flowers. There are very pretty flowers of every type, or more blinging decorations with things like stars and hearts.

* If you want some advice, then there are some great courses around. Sadly, all courses with the Cupcake Artisan (formerly The Kent Cupcakery) are all full, but join the mailing list if you’re in that area, as a day with Sally would be a real treat. I like the look of the Fair Cake classes, which do something for everyone from beginners to those looking to establish a cupcake business, not to mention one dedicated to wedding cupcakes. And then there’s also Bea’s of Bloomsbury, which sound fantastic. Given that you get to take 24 cakes home, the £100 seems very good value!

* Want cupcakes but no calories? Sorry, not possible in cake form but try a cupcake handcream! Or if you want a gift for a serious cupcake lover or baker, then I like the cupcake necklace from EVY Designs at Not On the High Street. Just take a judgement call on how many cupcake things they have, as this can be a very lazy way to buy a gift. The first 6 things are cute, by the time you hit 30 the joke is probably wearing a bit thin.

So, go on, have a go! There isn’t a day I know that isn’t better with a bit of sponge and buttercream being involved.

Selfridges, now everywhere

Selfridges is one of my favourite stores in the world. Well, most of them, the Trafford Centre one is a bit rubbish in my view. But I do love that their website is now transactional, and with more content, and so I can see some of the wonders of their food hall any time I like.

Browsing earlier in the week, I came across their top 10 foodhall luxuries, which I’m always intrigued by. Mainly because I’m nosy about what people are buying, but sadly it doesn’t tell you how it’s been compiled, so this may not reflect what’s actually going through the tills. This could well be the buyer’s 10 favourite things, or indeed the web editor’s.

Here’s what’s on the list:

* Selfridges Selection Sweet Biscuit Selection – I could believe this was their best seller, sort of thing tourists would pick up to take home, to say they’d been to this landmark of British commerce. Tasty biscuits made in the Cotswolds, stylish tin, perfect gift for any biscuit lover. And who isn’t?

* Jelly Belly Bean Dispenser - for children big and small I guess. Never quite got the whole Jelly Belly Bean thing myself, seem hugely overpriced to me.

* Easy Tasty Magic Mixed Bling Box - I will get round to writing a separate post about ETM, as I am not sure who would use them, but am expecting them any time now on Come Dine With Me. If you want to bling up your food with edible gold and silver, then this is for you. Not really experimental foodie to me, more Heston wannabe.

* T’a Milano 15 piece Grand Cru Gift Box - now we’re talking! Hand crafted chocolate, in easy to eat pieces. Apparently meant for sharing.

* Selfridges Selection Balsamic modena – stylish looking but this is definitely not style over substance. Made by Vaezzli family, this is good balsamic and perfect for meat, salads and veg. And it’ll look good in the kitchen too.

* The Real Flower Company Hot Pink Red Luxury Bouquet - I love The Real Flower Company, and what a long way they’ve come from Chichester farmer’s market. Superb flowers, beautifully done. Just don’t try eating them.

* Selfridges Selection Unoaked Chardonnay from the Lane Vineyards - this own label wine comes from one of the best wineries in the Adelaide hills. I find people who’ve forsworn off Chardonnay can be tempted with an unoaked version, and I’d certainly give this a try.

* Selfridges Selection Esprit Brut NV – can’t beat a bit of fizz, and at £30 this isn’t the cheapest but it’s credentials are decent enough, coming from a family run house in Champagne, Henri Giraud.

* St George’s Chapter 6 Whisky from English Whisky Co – bit more interesting, and not just one for the tourists, although I imagine quite popular with that crowd too. This is the first release of England’s only commercially available unpeated malt whisky. Interesting story, and a good gift for those who like their whisky and think they’ve tasted it all. Putting this one on possibles list for Christmas gifts.

* Kingston Black Apple Aperitif from Somerset Distillery – Julian Temperley’s cider brandy is already well known, having had over 30 vintages unleashed on us already. This is apple juice blended with the cider brandy to make something similar to Pineau de Charente. Best served chilled, and hopefully enjoyed in the sunshine. May have to try this in a comparative tasting to some Pineau we brought back with us.

So some interesting stuff here, definitely worth considering some of these for the foodie in your life. And some, I’d definitely find alternative uses for your cash!

Great shot of the Birmingham store by ell brown over on Flickr.

I’ve been really lucky since I started writing this blog that occasionally interesting companies offer to send me their stuff to try. I always let you know if they have, I always still write honestly and I turn stuff down if I know it’s way off what I want to write about.

And really, I should have turned down the Challenge Bar from Cadbury. You’ll no doubt have seen the Spots and Stripes advertising, and I like the idea of us all playing games together. But not in competition for an awful bar of chocolate. Imagine three big pieces of Dairy Milk overlaid with Milky Bar (think I may be mixing up my producers here, but you get the picture). You stuff your face with one piece each then play for the third.

Honest to god, do yourself a favour and just play the game. There was lots of touchy feely stuff in the press release about getting families to play together but just send them a football. Or a Wii. Anything would be better than getting kids to eat more rubbish chocolate. I mean, it’s going to take a lot of thumb wrestling to burn off the chocolate.

To be fair, MGG thought the chocolate scrummy, but then she is only 8. Dr T ate one small bites worth. And I finished mine in a hormonal rage. Which is about all it’s good for.

If you want to play more games with your family, then do so without the chocolate would be my suggestion. Or play for something interesting and tasty. Or go on a long walk. Or cook together. If it’s about spending more time together, then I’m all for it. I just don’t need someone else telling me to do it as a way to sell more chocolate.

Oh, and heaven help the athletes as Cadbury are Official Treat Provider to the 2012 Olympics. I think we should start campaigning for an alternative artisanal food sponsorship programme. Instead of Cadbury, lets have Montezuma’s. Instead of McDonalds, lets have Hawksmoor. And instead of  Coca-Cola, I think we should have a nice cup of Yorkshire Tea!

Great shot of families really playing by Mike Baird over on Flickr.