Tis the season and the internet is awash with holiday gift guides to help you find the perfect gift for everyone on your list! As usual, we couldn't hep but join in the fun with our editorial team's favourite gift ideas for food lovers! (and you may find there's a few gifts for you too - scroll to the end to enter our fabulous foodie giveaway!)
**EDITOR'S NOTE: This post contains affiliate links. In plain English that means that when you click on the link and make a purchase, we receive a small commission. It does not alter the price you pay but it helps us run this site and support the work that Canadian food bloggers do. **
The Instant Pot Duo Mini
Our Cookbook Corner reviewer, Liliana Tommasini said the Instant Pot Duo Mini 7 in One was a must for her holiday pick for 2017 and we couldn't agree more - the Instant Pot is a huge Canadian success story (that's right - it was invented in Canada!) and bloggers are trying to keep up with the cries for Instant Pot friendly recipes, classes and cookbooks.
Not sure what an Instant Pot is (we know there's still lots of you who don't know!)? Instant Pot® Duo 7-in-1 is a smart Electric Pressure Cooker designed to be safe, convenient and dependable. It speeds up cooking by 2-6x using up to 70% less energy and, above all, produces nutritious healthy food in a convenient and consistent fashion. It has 14 smart, built-in programs and can replace 7 kitchen appliances:
- pressure cooker
- slow cooker
- rice cooker
- steamer
- sauté/searing
- yogurt maker
- warmer
Now you can cook your favorite dishes with the press of a button!
Giveaway: Instant Pot has generously given us one (1) Instant Pot Duo Mini to give away to a lucky reader! (value $199 CAD)
Medium Rare Chef Aprons
Our food styling and 20 minute meal expert Lisa Bolton knows how much abuse kitchen aprons get hurled at them. Never underestimate the usefulness of a really sturdy apron (with pockets please!!!!) in the kitchen. They get wet, splattered with grease and tomato sauce, covered in flour and brushed 1000x with sticky, dough covered hands in one cooking session. So Lisa's pick for 2017 is Medium Rare Chef Aprons. This Calgary based company's aprons come in a range of styles, fabrics and colours, they're durable and have pockets for your stuff and they'll satisfy both the professional chef, food blogger or backyard griller
Giveaway: Medium Rare Chef has generously given us a Henry - Limited Edition (value $119.95 CAD) to give to one lucky reader. To power through, you need the Granddaddy of ‘em all. The Henry was the original pioneer of the Workshop Apron Series. Durability was designed into every part of this apron with heavyweight thread, double stitching and bar tacks at every stress point. This apron was built to last and it has some serious style with soft leather straps and antique brass hardware. (you may have seen the chefs on Season 5 of Top Chef Canada wearing The Henry!)
Once Upon A Tree Baguette and Charcuterie Boards
Our copy editor Marlene Cornelis picked Kitchener's Once Upon A Tree's Baguette and Charcuterie Boards for her 2017 contribution and we can see why. Gorgeous, food safe boards are hot right now! They make the perfect vessel for your charcuterie platters, cheese boards, appetizer spreads, or any of our "On Board in 20" meals. They can easily become the centrepiece of your holiday entertaining table!
Once Upon A Tree's boards are handmade,'live-edge' walnut and cherry serving boards that are made locally by woodworker Trevor Ewert. Each board is unique and makes a wonderful gift for the entertainer on your list! You can purchase them on-line through Jill's Table.
Giveaway: Jill's Table has generously given us one Once Upon A Tree Baguette Board (value: $39.99 CAD) to give away to a lucky reader.
The Third Place Cocktail Co.'s Tonic
When she's not traveling the world or writing about iconic Canadian Foods for us, Gabby Peyton calls Newfoundland home and her pick for our Food Lover's Gift Guide is St. John's The Third Place Cocktail Co.'s Tonic. Dissatisfied with cocktails made with the modern excuse for tonic water, The Third Place Cocktail Co. decided to start from scratch and reassess what it would mean to revive the art of classic cocktails, such as Gin and Tonic, to the civility of its illustrious past. Every batch of their Tonic is made by hand with the very best ingredients and botanicals available and each bottle is signed by hand to show not only that the company is truly a small batch operation, but that the founders stand by the quality and integrity of every bottle!
Now that's a tonic you can proudly give as a gift and makes the perfect hostess gift!
Giveaway: The Third Place Cocktail Co is generously giving one of our lucky readers a gift pack featuring all four of their products: Tonic, Elderflower, Radler and Ginger Rose (approx retail value $88CAD)
Wicked Wine Tours
Our VA Valentina, who produces our recipe roundups, chose Wicked Wine Tours out of BC's Okanagan as her gift pick for 2017 and they are the perfect gift for the culinary tourist or wine or beer drinker on your list! Wicked Wine Tours provides exceptional tour experiences as the premier tour operator in the Okanagan for visitors and residents. They specialize in fun, friendly, informative, and memorable wine tours, craft beer tours, and food tours with their friendly, knowledgeable and professional staff and strong relationships with area wineries and tourism partners. Tours begin at $99 per person, including tax, tasting fees, and guest pick-up!
Teroforma Wine Twirls
Keeping with the wine theme, our wine writer, Meaghan Carey chose Teroforma's Wine Twirls for her gift guide pick. These fun Wine Twirls chill your favorite white wine right where it counts - in the glass! Just one Wine Twirls keeps your glass of wine at fridge temperature for a full 45 minutes with no dilution! And they'll be a great conversation starter at your next party! Also available at Chapters Indigo for $24.99 for a 4 pack. Also check out all of Meaghan's top wine picks for entertaining this holiday season.
Tea-spiration
This little volume of inspirational words for tea lovers by FBC Member Lu Ann Pannunzio is on the list of our tea-loving co-founder, Melissa Hartfiel. The only thing better than a good cup of tea is a good book to go with it and Tea-Spiration is perfect to pair up with a warm mug, a big, comfy chair and a blanket!
Camino Maple Hot Chocolate
Camino Hot Chocolate has long been a favourite of many of us here at FBC and we think their new Maple Hot Chocolate would be a great stocking stuffer! Camino has blended local, organic maple sugar from Citadelle Maple Syrup Producers’ Co‑operative in Québec with fair trade and organic cocoa and sugar from their small‑scale farmer co‑operatives to make a truly Canadian hot chocolate. The result: a rich dark hot chocolate with just the right touch of maple and it's vegan friendly!
For The Beer Lovers
If you're looking for ideas for the beer lovers on your list be sure to check out David Ort's craft beer holiday gift guide and Jared Kovac's gift guide for the home brewer!
The FBC Holiday Foodie Giveaway!
Thanks to the generosity of Instant Pot, Medium Rare Chef, Jill's Table and Once Upon A Tree, and The Third Place Cocktail Company, we're excited to be giving away 4 separate prizes:
- (1) Instant Pot Duo Mini - $199 CDN value
- (1) Medium Rare Chef Apron (Henry style) - $119.95 CDN value
- (1) Once Upon A Tree Baguette Board - $39.99 CDN value
- (1) The Third Place Cocktail Co Gift Pack - $88 CDN value
Rules to enter:
- you must be a resident of Canada (prizes will only be shipped to Canadian addresses)
- you must be 19 years of age or older
- all winners will be required to answer a skill testing question to claim their prize
- residents of Quebec are not eligible to enter.
- one winner will be chosen for each item.
- winners will be receive notification of their prize by email - they will have 72 hours to respond from the time the email is sent out
- contest closes end of day December 17th
You can unsubscribe any time!
on my wish list is lots of Seafood and spices and the The Instant Pot Duo Mini to cook up a Seafood feast..
I have one Instant Pot but I love it so much I’d take another!
The instapot is on my list. I’m dying to see what all the hubbub is about!
I have a French butter keeper on my wishlist
I might just have to send my husband the link to this list — it’s perfect! As a baker, I always have chocolate on my list. I like to try different brands and flavours to see if there’s something I’d like to incorporate into my recipes. As a below average cook, I’ve been eyeing an instant pot for months now. The easier dinners can be made, the better!
We would really love a couple of Le Creuset pots, different sizes, shapes and colors 😊. But any of the giveaway items would be greatly appreciated 😄. Such a nice foodie gift guide!
Instant Pot for sure!! It’s all the rage (that I’m missing out on at the moment). I’d also love a gift that gives back to others less fortunate.
Oooh.. love those Wine Twirls. I might have to get two sets – one for my friend and one for ME! Love this list.
One food item on my holiday wish list is good quality vanilla or vanilla beans. I love using it in my baking. 🙂
Lots of great gift ideas
I think I’d look amazing in that apron, really, stunning 😂
I am always looking for more boards for photography and that baguette board looks wonderful
My Mother in Law just got an instant pot and loves it! I told her I may have to ‘borrow’ it hahah! And that apron!!! As a chef I am adding that to my wishlist asap!
I would love to get an instant pot as a gift! I’m getting envious of all the amazing recipes people have been making on Instagram!
A roasted ham is on my food wish list this season. My husband says fruitcake – I had better get going on that! Thanks for this amazing opportunity, FBC! ❤️
An Instapot is on my Christmas list this year!
What a fantastic guide!!! I need to send it to my hubby so he can get some ideas for me 🙂 I am with you Melissa for the cuppa tea and a good book, especially with the cold winter days ahead! I love nothing more than a fun mug (ALWAYS at the top of my list) with some nice loose leaf teas and a novel <3 That is the perfect Canadian afternoon to me.
What a great round-up of ideas… honestly, these are great gifts for food bloggers and any ‘ol food/beer/tea/hot chocolate lover! This has given me major inspiration for the rest of my shopping plans – thank you!
Would love to win an instant pot!
I’m hoping for an Instant Pot this Christmas!
Chocolate is always top of my list!
I’m looking forward to grilling a rack of lamb!
Some high quality chocolates are on my wish list.
An Instant Pot is on my wish list this holiday season!
This is a SUPER prize pack!! My hubby is drooling over the All in One Brewer…I know it’s not a prize but I sent it to him and now I regret it. lol
oh dang. that’ll teach me to comment without reading…what food item is on my wish list? Some wild meat; deer, elk, caribou. I don’t care, just need enough to make my grandpa some goulash.
I would really like the Instapot!
I have asked for some specialty coffee that I like but I think I have to revisit my list based on this! Thanks for these great ideas and for the chance to win.
A new grill.
As well as turkey with all the trimmings, really looking forward to a Christmas Eve feast of seafood chowder!
I would love to receive some Abeego Food Wraps – I want to move away from so much disposable plastic, and these would be great!
Shortbread!
The instant pot!
I would like any kind of seafood!
This year, a BIG bottle of vanilla! (Fingers crossed that the harvest goes well and prices go down next year.) And always, interesting spices, seasonings, ingredients and good quality staples.
Those wine towels and maple hot chocolate are tops on my list!
Fingers crossed! The apron is pretty cool. ☺
My food wish list is the same every year … CHOCOLATE ❤️
Cookies on my mind lately!
I would love any of these items. My dream food gift though? A basket of cheese the size of me. All the cheese!
The food item on my holiday wish list? I’d love to receive any or all of the premium ingredients I like to use when creating my recipes: local maple syrup, fine olive oil (not local, lol), good chocolate, real vanilla extract, Medjool dates … a basket of things that I can use to cook with throughout the year (or as long as they last). I do wish for a beautifully roasted turkey for my Christmas dinner, but let’s face it: even with leftovers, turkey only lasts so long!
I would love to get an Instant Pot!
I would love to use turkey in new and creative ways. The instant pot will definitely help me in that direction.
My food item on my wish list is an East Coast seafood chowder!
Racelette is on my wishlist. We really only do it at Christmas and we missed it last year!
My wishlist is an Instapot.
Great idea to have a food bloggers wish list. Happy to be reminded of all the things I could use! In the end, wishing all “bliss” instead of things. 🙂 Diane @kitchenblissca
Instant pot looks amazing, would love some truffle butter, love the wine cooling twirls as well.
I love getting unique gourmet food or drink items in my stocking at Christmas! I also asked for a new set of knives this year 🙂
I’m definitely curious about this Instapot craze so I guess that’s on my list!
My husband and I usually give each other gifts but this year we decided to give ourselves something we enjoy together. A smoker and a small convection oven is on our wish list.
Chocolate is always on my holiday list!! ¸¸.•*¨*•♫ 🎁 🎄🎅
My list always includes some form of chocolate, but also a sous vide cooker!
The Instant Pot is on our boxing day shopping list, but I would love to win one!
Instant Pot!
what great prizes!
An instant pot is on my Christmas wish list!
So many ways to make delicious food for friends and family, the Instant Pot is top of my wish list
I would like some italian soda, a new crock pot and a good cheese grater.
I would like some baking supplies, like cocoa, chocolate chips, bakers chocolate, raisins, these I am always running out of
Really want to try the tonic, I forgot to pick some up when I was in St Johns.
Awesome prizes! I will be happy with any of them!
The Third Place Cocktail Co Gift Pack is my fav.
So many wonderful prizes! Great choices!
For my food wish list, I would like to try a turducken this holiday season.
Christmas wouldn’t be christmas without a charcuterie board, some cocktails and a fancy apron!
The instant pot! I tried too get one about a million times now and always sold out! It would be well used here in my home.
Thanks. Happy Holidays!
I would love an instant pot for Christmas!
Love this! An Instant Pot would really make my Christmas merry and bright 😉
Cheese. Always obscene amounts of cheese.
I’m dreaming of turkey! I don’t have it that often…so it’s exciting and special when we do!
I want to try chop suey recipe with chicken lots of vegetables and a chocolate caramel lava cake
YOU guys are totally spoiling us. Merry Christmas FBC!
Chocolate. Good baking chocolate. Any type of baking goodies, really.
Chocolate is always at the top of my list. Any kind of chocolate…bars, drinks, chunks, or chips.
I’d really like one of these new Instant pot things!
I’m asking Santa for new cocktail glasses this Christmas!
I want an insta pot, it seems very popular this year. but i am intrigued by Brau craft beer home brewer.
The instapot and some organic olive oil
The Instant Pot and the Maple Hot Chocolate are my faves! Thanks for the opportunity!
An instant pot has been on my list but all of the other items listed look pretty appealing too.
Would love the instant pot… so many recipes I would like to try. Thanks!
I’d love some more maldon salt!
Instapot is top of my list but everything looks so amazing!
The Camino Maple Hot Chocolate sounds wonderful!!
I’d love more attachments for my Kitchenaid! But some new kitchen linens would be fabulous too!
Instant Pot accessories
an instant pot would be fun to play with!
I would love the Instapot.
Instant Pot accessories
I would love to try Camino’s Maple Hot Chocolate!
I would love to be gifted an Instant Pot! I’ve only heard great things from friends.
An Instant Pot is on my list. I really want to use the pressure cooker option since my pressure cooker is outdated.
I’d love an artisan fruitcake – I love fruitcake!
Nanaimo bars!
I would love some really good chocolate as I love anything chocolate. I would love to try the Camino Hot Chocolate.
The instant pot is supposed to be the rage this year so would be a nice thing to win. The prizes look lovely. Thanks for the chance.
Camino’s Maple Hot Chocolate would make my list!
Everyone is talking about the instapot so I definitely want to try one out!
Chocolate! ‘Nuff said.
What food item is on my wish list this holiday season? Well, I think that an Instant Pot Duo Mini, a Medium Rare Chef Apron, a Once Upon A Tree Baguette Board, and a Third Place Cocktail Co Gift Pack just might be on that list! Any one of them would be a great gift to be found under the tree!! Merry Christmas and good luck everyone!!!
I would love to get an Instant Pot this year…we gave one to our daughter and boyfriend and they love it!
Love the look of the Instapot Duo Mini and the apron. Thanks for sharing such a fabulous foodie gift guide.
Additional glassware for my beer photography is always helpful
an instant pot!
An Instant pot and some cherry chocolates are on my wish list. Wonderful giveaway, thank you for the chance.
I would love an Instant Pot!
I’ve had a Silpat on my Christmas and birthday wish lists for… YEARS. Haha. Why won’t anyone buy it for me? I guess I’ll have to get it myself one day. My Aunties are WILD about the Instant Pot and constantly try to get me to buy one!! If i won one, I would definitely be stoked… 🙂 Killer giveaway! (love the apron and the charcuterie board, particularly!)
I am obsessed with finding the perfect rum-soaked marzipan adorned fruitcake
Food item is some great calamari! Or perhaps some yummy nachos!
The Instant Pot is on my wish list!
I really want a pressure cooker
We’d really want the instapot! Would make all these chilly nights comfy
On my wish list this year (and every year): a nice cheese! Any kind 🙂
What a wonderful gift guide! I’m loving all the items on it!
The instant pot for sure!!
My wish list would include an instant pot, The Harvest Baker cookbook, Smitten Kitchen EveryDay, a Vitamix, a really good butcher knife, and a large nonstick pan. And a new kitchen sink, but I think my list is getting out of control!
I would love an instant pot!
My wishlist includes a instant pot & high quality kitchen knives
Love these! I always look forward to the homemade goodies!
I’d like a Spiralizer
Grey owl cheese is on my food wish list. And would look great on that cheese board. The instant pot looks awesome! I’ll look into those.
I so badly want a cheese advent calendar!
My food wish list would be a sous vide machine. Mm so cool!
The Instant Pot Duo Mini is on my wish list.
Awesome prizes, but I really have my eye on the cocktail pack!
I would really like an Instant Pot to try some new dishes!
I asked for some nice serving platters for Christmas. It’s a great way to showcase the beautiful holiday food we’ll be eating!
I’m asking for some beer-related items, like a gift card to a local craft brewery.
Love the entire list, but the Instant Pot tops my list!
On my wish list is more plates, bowls, cutlery for photo shots – and beer glasses!
I would like some vanilla paste to try, Jamie Oliver is always using it and I have yet to actually see it in stores.
instant pot to make stew
A KitchenAid stand mixer is at the top of my wishlist
I’ve been hinting that a weekly package of local veggies delivered to the house might be a fun program to try. Support local farmers too.
I always love teas for Christmas gifts.
The Instant Pot would make a terrific gift.
Is it weird that I am totally
Into the aprons?
Not sure if it’s really holiday related, but we always have a big lobster feast at some point over Chrismas, and everyone so looks forward to it each year. It’s a maritime thing, I guess. 😉
The Instant Pot sounds pretty cool…
Food item on my wish list…. that would be to taste the infamous Instant Pot Cheescake, topped with some oh so yummy locally made Maple Blueberry jam 🙂
i need a mixer would santa to bring me one
The Once Upon A Tree Baguette and Charcuterie Board would really come in handy for entertaining and I love the Instant Pot!
top of my list for kitchen gadgets this year is a new immersion blender. The one I have is about 20 years old, and starting show its age!
The Tree Baguette & Charcuterie Board would be great for entertaining family & friends and the Instant Pot would surly become a family fav all through out the year.
The Instant Pot is such a trend that everyone wants one underneath their tree for Christmas.
Home brewing system has really caught my eye ! I’m such a beer nerd
The Instapot is on my list, it gets rave reviews from everyone I know who has it.
Chocolate and homemade pumpkin pie..yummy!
I want a instapot so bad. Everytime I went to order one they sold out.
My holiday wishlist includes a Terry’s chocolate toffee orange.
I have had an instant pot on my wish list for the last 2 years. I am hoping this year is the year. Love pumpkin sweets around the holidays and also chocolate and cheese.
I want a new stand mixer this Christmas
The Instant pot for sure. I heard great things about it.
I ALWAYS look forward to the chocolate YULE LOGS every Christmas time. They are so festive looking and better tasting.
Thanks @foodbloggersofcanada.com
Some nice rich coffee beans are on my list.
I can’t for turkey!
I would love some expensive coffee and a press!
ANYthing for the kitchen is always on my wishlist, tho these days it is tending more to comestibles
I have heard a great deal about the wonderful instant pots! I really want one to see what all the fuss is about. That is definitely on my list!
Chocolate is on my wish list!!!
I’m a soup maker and my DIL has this ladle that looks like a dinosaur? LOL, thats what I want!!
The Instant Pot and a new kettle are on my wishlist
Delicious maple glazed ham – YUM
The instant pot!
Good quality chocolate!
My brother in law’s devilled eggs are on my holiday food list.
A Le Creuset pie plate & some good chocolate!
One food item on my wish list is strips to help roll out dough to a perfect thickness. I’ve been doing more baking this year and hopefully these will help me improve!
Chocolates and an instant pot. It’s been on my list for some time now 🙂
On my wish list is a trip to Penzey’s Spices to buy one of everything they have on the shelf!
I just bought one of these and they make the best pork loin roasts