Gadgets and gizmos that ease preparation for the cook can make great gifts.
“We all eat, so cooks are always looking for the latest items to help them along,” said Marcy Kelch, owner of Mia Cucina: The Place for Cooks at Hamilton Place.
A 2010 report from the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers indicates that consumer interest in at-home cooking as a way to save money has buffered the market from steep sales declines. Kelch said manufacturers are responding with new products, new colors and new price points.
For instance, French cookware maker Mauviel has reduced the price of its 8-inch copper frying pan from $190 to $99 for the holiday season. Such promotional pricing can be a draw to shoppers who previously might have taken a pass on the item at full price.
“Companies are wanting to get their items into more people’s hands, and by doing it now, they know there are more people out there shopping,” Kelch said.
“Our culture is to get around a good plate of food and enjoy each other’s company,” she added. “So we need the fun new items to help enhance the experience.”
Wine stoppers
Send a message with a bottle using these clever wine stoppers from PlaceTile. Just write your sentiment: Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, Happy Birthday or something even more personal. They’re also an excellent way to identify wines or oils. Trimmed in gold for a decorative touch, the stoppers can be erased and used over again.
* Suggested retail price: $13 for set of three (available online at www.placetile.com).
Ninja food processor
Chop your way around the kitchen with Ninja’s new Master Prep Professional food processor. The blade technology offers six stacked blades for uniform cutting. In addition to mincing and dicing, the appliance handles blending, pureeing and ice-crushing with one-touch processing. A 48-ounce pitcher, a medium 40-ounce pitcher and smaller two-cup bowl are interchangeable.
* Suggested retail price: $59.99 (available in stores and online at numerous websites).
Emile Henry pizza stone
Pizza stones are nothing new, but Emile Henry’s new pizza stone with Flame technology is. Traditional stones are porous and cannot be placed under water or under a broiler. But this one can even go in the dishwasher. Its nonporous, natural surface does not absorb odors, so you can bake fish on it one night and pizza the next, then chill it to use as a cheese tray the next. It comes in four colors: plum, red, black and green.
* Suggested retail price: $50 (available at Mia Cucina).
Lodge mini-servers
Lodge gets personal this season with the latest of its Lodge Logic creations. New this year are small, foundry-seasoned mini-servers perfect for small casseroles, desserts or individual meals in one dish. There are seven styles: square, round, rectangle, tri-compartment rectangle, mini bowl and oval (two sizes).
* Suggested retail price: $11.95-$17.95 (available in stores and online at www.lodgemfg.com).
Wine totes
Bag the bag and get in the groove with Built’s new collection of One Bottle wine totes. They’re made of neoprene — the same fabric used in making wet suits — and will keep a bottle insulated for up to four hours. Colorful polka dots and solids are among the patterns.
* Suggested retail price: $14-$16 (available in stores and at www.builtny.com).