Need help with your holiday shopping? I know I did! So here’s some ideas to make 2012 for you – and yours – even more delicious. From frivolous to practical, gifts range in price from those that won’t break the bank to no-expense spared. Sweet treats to prep tools to some of this year’s most sought-after items, here’s some ideas that might be perfect for those people on your gift list.
If you are crossing your fingers in hopes that you will receive a Sous-vide Cooker for Christmas, you are not alone. This popular culinary innovation has everyone in the food world talking. For those of you new to sous vide, it was first used in kitchens in France in the 1970s and traditionally is the process of cooking vacuum-sealed food in a low temperature water bath. Get started with the SousVide Supreme line of water ovens. Whether an accomplished cook or a novice, you can turn out gourmet meals in very little time. These machines come in a variety of sizes and colors. $299 and up. http://sousvidesupreme.com/default.aspx?RD=1
One of the great blessings of living in the Valley is that you can have a picnic almost any time of year. So why not play hooky from work and grab your friends and pack your goodies in this briefcase – oh, I mean picnic box! $24.95 http://www.gilttaste.com/
For the serious food geek, no need to look any further. Modernist Cuisine: The Art and Science of Cooking will keep them cooking for years to come. Part encyclopedia. Part manifesto. And possibly the most in-depth cookbook ever published. Put this under the Christmas tree and you are sure to please! $451.92 http://www.amazon.com/
If you want to really surprise the foodie in your life, plan for a tasty vacation. This present may be a bit of a splurge, but for that special someone, it may be just right! Consider tickets to The Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival which begins on February 23, 2012. This national, star-studded four-day festival features celebrated chefs, culinary personalities, wine producers, and more. Nadia G, Debi Mazar, and Roger Mooking are just a few that you can count on!
Presented by Food&Wine http://2012.sobefest.com/
This sleek stainless steel slotted spoon offers a great design, perfect for use as an everyday utensil that can lift pieces of meat or fish, or mussels in their shells, from any casserole or serving dish. It can scoop out the fruit from a hot wintry punch. So many uses and only $25. momastore.org 
I loved these stacking bone china measuring cups from Anthropologie. The interior of every cup is a different color. And they are dishwasher safe. $24 www.anthropologie.com 
Now you can lose your wine bucket! Corkcicle keeps your wines at just the right drinking temperature when you use this clever little device. Designed to chill wines from the inside, simply fill the Corkcicle tube with water, freeze it, then drop it into your bottle. You can use it again and again. $29.95 http://corkcicle.3dcartstores.com/
And for the wine lover, the WineHug! A self-inflating protective travel pouch, lightweight and adaptable to hug a 750ml bottle of various shapes. It’s collapsible when not in use, making it ideal for travel. $19.95 http://www.winehug.com/product_single.html
For those you who just can’t live without your ipad, the comprehensive Professional Chef app by the CIA. 
It is filled with an abundance of content, beautiful photos, video, detailed instructions, recipes, and a glossary for fine food preparation – you can highlight, bookmark and even back up in the cloud. Retail: $49.99 http://tinyurl.com/73d52yh
For the little foodie in your life, I couldn’t resist this Fire Truck Plate Set. $25 at Mxyplyzyk (800) 243-9810 
For the sports fan, get the ‘Protoast” College-Logo Toaster where you can bite into your favorite school. Choose from $39.00 http://tinyurl.com/7ee258u
For the utterly extravagant, ultimate VIP exclusive foodie experience ‘Dinner in the Sky’. Forbes Magazine calls this one of the ‘10 Most Unusual Restaurants’ in the WORLD. It can take place in any U.S. city. Location specifics require 100’ by 50’ area that is a accessible by a 40’ truck. You can enjoy dinner with 22 of your closest friends or clients floating up to 180 feet in the sky. Price: Starts at $40,000! http://www.cloud9living.com/all-regions/dinner-in-the-sky
