Courtesy + Design Leah Romero
When it comes to holiday gifts, food is at all times a superb selection, right? Right. The most effective parts of the vacations happen across the table, anyway. That’s why we tapped Sophia Roe, a James Beard award-winning chef and Emmy-nominated host, to share a few of her gifting suggestions. You would possibly’ve seen a few of her tantalizing recipes on TikTok, or her series Counter Space on Vice TV (season 2 premieres January 17). She’s also an enormous advocate for sustainability and food justice within the culinary world and beyond, getting involved with charities like Women’s Prison Association, Edible Schoolyard NYC, and The Fungi Foundation. And, fun fact, she helped curate the first-ever plant-based menu for the Met Gala last yr.
Whether it’s a tasty last-minute treat to grab on the go, or a thoughtful gift for somebody’s home kitchen, listed below are the gifts Roe suggests gifting this season. You would possibly even find yourself snagging one in all these picks for yourself, too.
What’s your go-to holiday gift?
It probably sounds incredibly lame, but I actually like giving people practical gifts. You understand, the type of thing an individual would hate to expire of. I don’t wanna say that I’ve ever bought someone a six-month supply of their favorite complement or pantry item, but I won’t say that I haven’t either. Ha!
Do you will have a favourite under-$50 gift?
A bag of Bob’s Red Mill pastry flour or Banner Grass-fed cultured butter!
What’s the most effective gift you’ve ever received?
Among the finest gifts I’ve ever received was a birthday cake from my assistant/production manager. I grew up really poor, so I never really got the chance to have my very own birthday cake. Last yr, she had a special one made only for me. I’ll always remember how cool it felt to finally have my very own birthday cake. It seems silly, but that moment meant so much to me.
What’s the primary thing in your wish list this yr?
That individuals will take a while to think about charity when gifting this yr. Even a small donation to the Fungi Foundation, Women’s Prison Association, Edible Schoolyard, City Meals, or Project Glimmer could change someone’s life.
What’s the most effective last-minute gift?
A beautiful loaf of bread, fresh pasta, bottle of olive oil, or olives from my local spots: Saraghina or Foster Sundry.
What’s your go-to gift for teenagers?
My friend Anicia just launched Kid’s Table, a meal delivery service that caters towards kids. Her mission is to create healthy, confident, and adventurous eaters with chef-curated and nutritionist-backed menu options. Extra bonus that they provide weekly delivery!
What’s your dream present?
A chunk from my newest jewelry collection titled a better look: sophia roe x pamela love. The gathering is devoted to fungi, the best way we interact and exist inside nature, and all that nature is asking us to acknowledge. With this collection, it’s my desperate hope that this unique medium for expressing the fantastic thing about a mycelial wave can encourage the importance of humans taking a better look, after which even closer.
What’s something everyone needs of their kitchen?
A very sharp knife! Shun, Kuma, and Miyabi are a few of my favorites. Hedley & Bennett make an incredible set of knives in the event you’re trying to purchase a utility/paring knife in addition to a serrated knife.
What’s the most effective present for messy cooks?
Get yourself an order of 15” x 26” kitchen rags, a set of pint and quart deli containers, and an apron from Dusen Dusen so that you’re all cleaned up!
What’s the most effective gift for beginner cooks?
High-quality basics: a extremely great cutting board, a set of knives, or mixing bowls can completely upgrade your kitchen vibes. Material Kitchen has really great quality pieces. Extra points for cool designs as well.
What’s the most effective gift for the professional host or hostess?
Serveware from Garmentory! It’s got so many incredible options, ceramicists, designers, and vessels to select from.
What’s the most effective gift for wannabe food influencers?
A Benks portable charger. They’re magnetic, so you’ll be able to just stick them in your phone and keep shooting content.
What’s the most effective cookbook to offer to someone special?
Any cookbook you buy from Bonnie Slotnick Cookbooks within the East Village. She’s been open since 1997, and she or he’s got a number of the most incredible cookbooks I’ve ever seen. In case you’re a vintage cookbook fan, you actually must make an inventory!
Shop Sophia’s Favorite Gifts
Bob’s Red Mill Unbleached White Advantageous Pastry Flour
Banner Butter Cinnamon, Cardamom & Ginger Pack of 6
The Fungi Foundation Donate to Fungi
Foster Sundry Deluxe Gift Box
Sophia Roe x Pamela Love Mycelial Crest Hoops
Miyabi Kaizen II 6” Chef’s Knife
Dusen Dusen Pattern Napkins
Material Kitchen The (mini) reBoard
Material Kitchen The Coated Pan
Areaware Serving Friends Large Spoons – Brown
Benks MagClap™ On-Go Power Bank 5000mAh
Erica Gonzales is the Senior Culture Editor at ELLE.com, where she oversees coverage on TV, movies, music, books, and more. She was previously an editor at HarpersBAZAAR.com. There’s a 75 percent likelihood she’s listening to Lorde immediately.
