Welcome to Hotline Rewind, the weekly collection the place we collect up your questions from the week (and pepper in some from the Hotline archives) a couple of particular subject. We’re barreling in direction of the vacations and requested our readers for all of their gifting questions.
The Hotline sat down with Jackson Fust, our Senior Director of Merchandising to assist higher reply your questions. Jackson is answerable for doing tons of analysis and testing to make sure that all the pieces bought on the Food52 store is of the best high quality and feels definitively particular. So mainly, he retailers for a residing. And consequently, he had some extremely useful last-minute buying recommendation:
What’s the greatest, last-minute present for food-focused buddies?
I’ll say it—we as a society want to maneuver on from present playing cards. They’re principally disappointing and lack that private contact. I additionally acknowledge we are able to’t all be excellent. Enter our subscriptions. Jackson loves our month-to-month grass-fed butter subscriptions, in addition to our salami of the month. If you get them organized via Food52, you additionally get lovely explainer PDFs which you can print and current to your recipient as a substitute of handing them a blurry image from the web.
My chef brother has all the pieces. What’s one thing he gained’t count on?
Jackson was tremendous fast to come back to 2 concepts: first, the the tremendous sturdy/sturdy Excellent Prep Rubber Reducing Board. Rubber chopping boards are a favourite of Japanese cooks for being simple to wash and actually form to your knives.
He additionally loves Holcomb’s Dripless Stainless-Metal Oil Can. Not solely is it a surprising assertion in your counter, however it’s actually dripless. We now have examined it for weeks, and it has saved our cooktops clear and oil-free.
What’s one thing individuals can go with out shopping for this yr?
Jackson and our co-founder, Amanda, agree that the most important factor that’s “out” for the 2024 gifting season is PFA-based non-stick pans. There may be rising proof that PFAs or polyfluoroalkyl substances are dangerous in your well being and the setting.
As an alternative, they suggest getting a seasoned carbon-steel pan or the Our Place Titanium Nonstick At all times Pan Professional for mess-free vacation brunch. Not solely is it attractive, nevertheless it gives a pure nonstick floor that we consider in.
What’s the final Food52 stocking stuffer?
Listed here are Jackson’s favourite little extras to provide this yr:
I’m over sweets! What are some good shelf-stable, savory treats I may give to my buddies?
Folks below estimate the facility of a selfmade cracker! They will take a charcuterie board from good to unbelievable. Or grind them all the way down to bread crumbs for topping pasta.
Recommendation on cookbook shopping for?
Stalk their socials and takeout orders to see what your recipient likes to ea.! In the event that they order bibimbap each week, get a Korean cookbook! This yr I’m hoping I get Renato Poliafito’s DOLCI! His bakery, Ciao Gloria, is a 10-minute stroll from my place, and I’d say I’m going a minimum of as soon as per week. He has unimaginable takes on basic Italian pastry and sweets. And I used to be capable of pattern a ton of them at Food52’s most up-to-date cookbook membership occasion, too.
What are one of the best cookies to ship by mail?
As a consequence of bumpy transit and unknown route temperatures, you’re going to need a cookie that’s sturdy and simple to pack tightly collectively to keep away from crumblage. I would additionally keep away from melty parts (chocolate, glaze, frosting and so forth). Nea’s new Swedish Pecan Pralines are excellent!
Have extra vacation entertaining questions? Ask away on our Hotline or drop us a line at 1 (877)-52-HOTLINE.
