Best Christmas presents for foodie friends #7 - cookery courses

One of the best things I've done this year is Japanese cookery lessons at Hashi Cooking.  I think a cookery course is an ideal present for any foodie friends or family.

The added bonus is that they can try out their new skills on you!

Here's my top three suggestions:

Billingsgate Seafood School
They offer a variety of different one and half day courses, some of which include a guided tour of the World famous fish market.

The Ginger Pig Butchery classes
Not one I'd be keen to do (due to my non-meat eating ways!) but I've heard good things about these classes.  Maybe one for the man in your life?

Hashi Cooking
I think the one day sushi/sashimi making class would make a great present.




Best Christmas presents for foodie friends:

#1 For Japanese food lovers:

Hashi: A Japanese Cookery Course

#2  For those who like an unusual tipple:

Violet liqueur

#3  For those who like the finer things in life:

White Alba truffle

#4 For the chilli-heads:

Chilli presents

#5 For pizza addicts

Pizza stone

#6 For cheese chompers
Slate cheese board

Best Christmas presents for foodie friends #6 - slate cheese board

This slate cheese board is a brilliant idea, as you can write the name of the cheeses directly on it with a piece of chalk.  I recommend doing this before you start dinner, whilst you can still remember what they all are!


The Handpicked Collection stocks them here 

Best Christmas presents for foodie friends:

#1 For Japanese food lovers:

Hashi: A Japanese Cookery Course

#2  For those who like an unusual tipple:

Violet liqueur

#3  For those who like the finer things in life:

White Alba truffle

#4 For the chilli-heads:

Chilli presents

#5 For pizza addicts
Pizza stone

Best Christmas presents for foodie friends #5

I'm a huge pizza fan but rarely make it at home.  Perhaps I would if I had my own pizza stone though, this is definitely on my Christmas list!

The idea is that you place your pizza on the stone in the oven.  The stone heats up, giving you a super crispy base.  My local pizza delivery outlet might just find themselves out of business.  Sorry guys!

You can find them in most kitchen shops and there are loads online, for example this one on Amazon

Best Christmas presents for foodie friends:

#1 For Japanese food lovers:

Hashi: A Japanese Cookery Course

#2  For those who like an unusual tipple:

Violet liqueur

#3  For those who like the finer things in life:

White Alba truffle

#4 For the chilli-heads:
Chilli presents

Best Christmas presents for foodie friends #4 - For the chilli-heads

You probably know someone who loves hot food.  The hotter the better.  They order the hottest curry on the menu and insist on adding extra chillies to anything you make them.

Marc is one of these people.  I used to get offended when he immediately tipped a pile of chilli flakes over any of my creations, without trying it first but these days I just accept it.  In fact, I think I like my food spicier as a result of living with a chilli-head!

There are loads of chilli related presents out there, so this Christmas present suggestion is actually three-in-one.

1.  First up, chilli chocolate.  Yes, it's becoming ubiquitous among artisan producers but it really is good and makes a great stocking filler.  One of my faves is Montezuma's  They do chilli chocolate by the bar, in various flavour combinations.  It's an independent British company, so worth supporting.  There are a few shops in London and the South-East but they also do mail-order.

2.  I grew chillies for the first time this year and can vouch for the fact that it's pretty fool-proof and actually quite rewarding.  For someone who loves chilli, I think a grow-your-own-chillies kit is a fab pressie.  There's plenty of them around, try Amazon.


Some good tips on growing them in this article


3.  Now, the only problem with growing your own is that it does take aaaagges.  So, if you're looking for a more instant hit, check out Capsicana  This online shop sells all manner of dried chillies, including the World's hottest chilli, Bhut Jolokia - guaranteed to spice up your Christmas dinner!  My favourite is the chipotle, which has a lovely smoky flavour.  I've used it to make patatas bravas very successfully in the past.  Prices at Capsicana are reasonable, so why not put together a selection pack.  Guaranteed to be more popular than your standard chocolate one!


Best Christmas presents for foodie friends:


#1 For Japanese food lovers:
Hashi: A Japanese Cookery Course


#2  For those who like an unusual tipple:
Violet liqueur


#3  For those who like the finer things in life:
White Alba truffle