Chowhound Gift Guide 2019: The Best Gourmet Food and Drink Gifts

If you haven’t started your holiday shopping yet, well, who could blame you? It’s only just officially become fall, but now’s the time to start checking your list (or start writing it up in the first place).

Whether you’re looking for that perfect present for your best friend, favorite family member, co-worker, or good neighbor, food is often a fantastic choice, because who doesn’t like to eat—and drink? From fabulous individual food and drink gift ideas to ongoing food and beverage subscriptions and even tools to help your foodie friends and fam make great meals at home, we’ve got suggestions for the best presents for all sorts of palates, personalities, and situations.

Check out all of our gourmet food and drink gift guides below—and check back often, as we’ll be updating the list regularly and adding new options for this year.

Check out our exclusive sales for Cookware Week too:

• Get an additional 10% off marked-down brands like All-Clad plus free shipping
• Take $20 off a bestselling chef’s knife and frying pan bundle at Material Kitchen

Gourmet Food Gifts

Edible Advent Calendars for 2019

Harry and David

Get ready to count down the days til Christmas with a parade of edible (or drinkable) treats. See our picks for the Best Food and Drink Advent Calendars for 2019.

The Best New Cookbooks for 2019

There’s a slew of new cookbooks coming out this fall that are perfect for gift-giving season, whether your recipient’s a baker, a keto devotee, or a “Star Wars” fan. See our Favorite New Cookbooks for 2019.

Hot Gifts for Spice Fiends

Amazon

Have a hot head on your list? These gifts are *fire emoji* (aka, perfect for them). See our picks for the Best Gifts for Hot Sauce Lovers.

Star Gifts for “The Great British Baking Show” Fans

Amazon

Even those who still aren’t over losing Mary, Mel, and Sue will cheer up when they unwrap these showstoppers. See our Chowhound Gift Guide 2019: Gifts for Fans of “The Great British Baking Show”.

Better-Than-Homemade Pies That Can Be Delivered to Your Door

Harry and David

Whether you need dessert for your own holiday table or want to show someone love via baked goods, these pies can be delivered nationwide. See the Chowhound Gift Guide 2019: The Best Mail-Order Pies.

Best Gifts for Healthy Eaters

Sakara

Got a friend who loves to eat, but puts a premium on healthy habits? See our Chowhound Gift Guide 2019: Best Gifts for Food Lovers Who Are Also Health Nuts.

Great Gift Ideas for Cheese Lovers

Harry and David

Curd nerds, cheddar heads, and brie fiends will all melt for these delightfully cheesy gifts. See our Chowhound Gift Guide 2019: Best Gifts for Cheese Lovers.

Unique Food and Drink Experiences

The Safari Collection

From cooking classes and culinary cruises to fun food museum tickets, these gifts are great for every type of food lover on your list, and the memories will last forever. See the Chowhound Gift Guide to Best Food and Drink Experiences.

Related Reading: Our Favorite Eatwith Food Experiences Around the World

Gourmet Drink Gifts

Best Beer Clubs and Beer Subscription Box Gift Ideas

Jack Andersen / DigitalVision / Getty Images

If you want to treat the suds lover in your life to an ongoing subscription, they’ll love you for it. See our Best Beer Clubs and Subscription Boxes guide.

Best Wine Subscriptions to Give as Gifts

Shutterstock

A nice bottle by itself is a great gift, but a wine subscription is the ultimate present for your favorite oenophile. See CNET’s Best Wine Subscriptions guide.

Accessories That Make Drinking Wine Even More Fun

Wayfair

Whether you give one of these in conjunction with the wine itself or not, there’s something here to delight every type of vino devotee. See some of our favorite Gifts for Wine Lovers.

We’ll be updating our 2018 kitchenware gift guides soon too, for all the best kitchen gadgets, tools, and appliances to give.

Related Video: Insta-Infusions Are an Ingenious DIY Holiday Gift

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How to Clean Your Dingy Baking Sheets So They Look Like New Again

Baking sheets are somewhat of a point of contention in my house. You see, I have my nice, big, pristine aluminum baking pans, and if you don’t know how to clean cookie sheets the right way, you don’t get to use my precious cookware.

Because I’m so fond of my shiny, immaculate set, I tend to hide the clean sheet pans from my housemates, forcing them to use old, gross backup set that have been around forever. Apparently this is rude, but I just know they won’t take proper care of the nice set—I solely use them with silicone mats and avoid acidic foods that could stain them. Plus, I clean them right away to ensure they stay in good shape. Maybe I’m a little extreme, but I love how fresh and new they look, even after years of use!

Nordic Ware Natural Aluminum Baking Sheets, 2 for $27.91 on Amazon

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If you’re like me and take pride in your immaculate baking sheets, it’s important to know the right way to clean certain materials to remove residue, stains and burns, leaving them looking as good as the day you bought them.

Aluminum Baking Sheets

Many bakers swear by aluminum baking sheets, as this metal conducts heat evenly, making it a great choice for cookies and other desserts. However, it can react with acidic substances, creating a metallic taste and leaving unsightly stains.

Here’s how to clean your aluminum baking sheets:

• Sprinkle a layer of baking soda over your baking sheet, then follow it up with a layer of salt. Put white vinegar in a spray bottle, then spritz a layer of the liquid over your pan.
• From here, you can either start scrubbing with a sponge or, to make your work a little easier, soak the pan in hot water for 30 to 60 minutes before going in with elbow grease. Once you’ve worked off any stains and caked-on food, wash the pan with regular soap and water.

Aluminized Steel Baking Sheets

Aluminized steel is essentially steel that’s coated in an aluminum alloy—their appearance can vary from standard gray to pretty gold finishes. Regardless of their finish, aluminized steel pans are quite strong and durable, and their aluminum coating helps them conduct heat evenly.

Chefmade Rimmed Non-Stick Carbon Steel Sheet Pan, $26.99 on Amazon

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If your aluminized steel pans have seen better days, you can use baking soda and hydrogen peroxide to get them shining again:

• Sprinkle a layer of baking soda onto your sheet, then pour on a generous amount of hydrogen peroxide. If needed, add more baking soda until it resembles a paste.
• The key here is to give the mixture time to work its magic, so you have to be patient. Let the pan sit for two or three hours, then wipe it away with a cloth. If needed, you can use a coarse sponge to scrub at stubborn spots. Wash the pan with soap and water before using it again.

USA Pan Bakeware Half Sheet Pan, $19.99 on Amazon

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Nonstick Baking Sheets

In theory, nonstick baking pans are supposed to be spared from stains, burns, and caked-on food. However, if you use any type of oil on nonstick pans, there’s a chance a sticky brown residue will develop over time.

Wilton Easy Layers Sheet Cake Pans, 2 for $6.44 on Amazon

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Since you can’t scrub these pans too hard without risking damaging the nonstick finish, it can be pretty tricky to get rid of the baked-on goo. Here’s one safe tactic to try:

• Mix together water and baking soda into a paste-like consistency. Cover your cookie sheet in the paste, and let it sit for 30 minutes. You can then take a non-abrasive sponge and scrub at the residue.

And If You’re Stuck with Super Stubborn Stains…

If these all-natural cleaning hacks just aren’t getting the job done, there are a number of specialized commercial products that can help you tackle stubborn stains. For instance, Bon Ami is a miracle worker when it comes to removing grime thanks to its gentle abrasive formula—just don’t scrub too hard on nonstick finishes.

Bon Ami Powder Cleanser, $6.53 at Walmart

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Another popular product is Bar Keepers Friend, which works great on rust stains, tarnish, mineral deposits, soap scum, and more. You can use it on your favorite pots, pans, and baking sheets, as well as on other surfaces all around the house.

Bar Keepers Friend All-Purpose Cleaner, $12.99 at Walmart

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You could also try these two ideas as seen on “Rachael Ray:” how to clean baking sheets with aluminum foil and how to clean baking pans with dryer sheets.

How to Prevent Stains on Your Sheet Pans

Once you’ve gotten your pans looking fresh, there are several easy steps you can take to keep them from getting stained and discolored again. One of the easiest options is to simply invest in silicone mats, which protect the surface of your pans without affecting their conduction.

AmazonBasics Silicone Baking Mats, 3 for $13.85 on Amazon

You can also use parchment paper or aluminum foil as a protective layer for your pans, depending on what you’re cooking. Parchment paper is nonstick, so it makes a great option for cookies and other foods that may otherwise get stuck to the pan.

Related Reading: 11 Sheet Pan Dinners for Maximum Flavor and Minimal Clean-Up

Related Video: How to Make an Easy Autumn Sheet Pan Dinner

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Exclusive Sale: Get $20 Off This Bestselling Pan and Knife Bundle

Welcome to Cookware Week! Chowhound is celebrating all things cookware this week, and we’re pleased to present some exclusive discounts for our readers (on CNET too) — including $20 off these bestselling tools from Material Kitchen!

Material Kitchen is a direct-to-consumer company that specializes in sleek, high-performance cookware, cutlery and kitchen tools that won’t break the bank. Everything ships at no extra charge and comes under a 60-day free trial period with a lifetime warranty to boot.

The pair normally costs $170 when bought together but will be $150 exclusively for Chowhound and CNET readers. Just put them both in your cart and enter the code CHOWHOUND20 to see the discount reflected at checkout.

We’ve sung the praises of Material’s good-looking high-performance pans before, but here are the specs on the one included in this bundle, plus details on the knife.

The Coated pan

Material Kitchen

This 10.5-inch, copper-core stainless steel alloy pan is coated in a gorgeous peacock-green nonstick finish that’s free of PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid), cadmium and lead yet it lasts up to 37 times longer than ceramic coatings. The copper core ensures superior heat conductivity and a durable pan that won’t warp. It’s dishwasher safe, can go in the oven up to 500 degrees and works on induction cooktops too. See Here

The One Chef’s Knife

Material Kitchen

Material spent over a year creating the perfect chef’s knife: The One. This 8-inch knife is the ideal size and has the ideal weight and balance in your hand, as well as a super sharp blade (which makes cutting safer and more precise) made of three layers of Japanese steel. It’s also incredibly durable, with a cryogenically tempered edge and a stain-resistant handle that has a slightly grippy feel for comfort and control.See Here

Visit our Cookware Week Headquarters for more.

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A Comprehensive Guide to Cookware

Welcome to Cookware Week! We’re sharing our favorite cookware sets, accessories, and kitchen appliances, plus intel on how to care for all of it, the best recipes to make with every piece, and exclusive sales for Chowhound readers.

You’ll find all of our Cookware Week content on Chowhound and our sister site, CNET, on this page.

We’ll be updating it every day, so bookmark and check back often!

Happy cooking.

Jump to specific areas of interest via the links below:

• Exclusive Cookware Week Sales
• The Best Cookware You Can Buy
• How to Care for Your Cookware
• Common Cookware Questions
• Tips & Tricks
• Kitchen Appliance Intel
• Bakeware Basics
• Putting It All to Work

Exclusive Cookware Week Sales

Material Kitchen

We’re excited to offer you some exclusive discounts on big-name brands as part of Cookware Week: an additional 10 percent off plus free shipping on your order at Home and Cook Sales on brands like All-Clad and Lagostina, and $20 off a bestselling pan and knife bundle at Material Kitchen!

• Home & Cook Sales Exclusive: 10 Percent Off + Free Shipping
  
• Material Kitchen Sale: $20 Off Bestselling Pan + Knife Bundle

The Best Cookware You Can Buy

All-Clad/Amazon

We picked the best of the best to help you choose new cookware (or start your holiday shopping)—plus, budget-friendly alternatives and which 10 essential tools the author of “The Minimalist Kitchen” swears by.

• Best Direct-to-Consumer Cookware Brands to Buy in 2019
• Best Cookware Sets — coming soon!
• Best Dutch Ovens — coming soon!
• Best Pressure Cookers — coming soon!
• Best Skillets — coming soon!
• Best Waffle Makers — coming soon!
• Minimalist Kitchen Essentials — coming soon!
• Budget-Friendly Cookware Alternatives — coming soon!
• The Stealth-Favorite Cookware Accessories You Won’t Know How You Lived Without — coming soon!

Cookware Questions

Becca Tapert/Unsplash

Some pieces of cookware are easy to confuse with one another—baking sheets, cookie sheets, and sheet pans, anyone? We’ll clear up some of the most common cases of mistaken identity in the kitchen, and answer other burning questions.

• What Is the Difference Between a Dutch Oven and a French Cocotte?
• What Is the Difference Between Cast Iron and Enameled Cast Iron?
• What Is the Difference Between a Pizza Stone and Pizza Steel?
• What Is the Difference Between a Sheet Pan and a Cookie Sheet? — coming soon!
• What Is the Difference Between Copper and Stainless Steel Pans? — coming soon!
• What Is the Difference Between the Instant Pot DUO and Instant Pot LUX? — coming soon!
• When Should You Use Your Grill Lid?

Caring for Your Cookware

Chowhound

Once you’ve assembled your dream team of cookware, you want to protect your investment, so it’s worth learning how to properly care for your pots and pans—and what you should never do with that saucepan or skillet.

• 8 Cardinal Sins of Cookware (You Might Not Realize You’re Committing)
• How to Properly Clean Cast Iron
• The Secrets to Making Dingy Baking Sheets Look Brand New
• The Best Way to Store Your Pots and Pans — coming soon!
• When to Use Which Utensil (So You Don’t Damage Your Pans) — coming soon!
• Should You Polish Copper Pans? — coming soon!
• Tips for Properly Seasoning Cast Iron — coming soon!

Kitchen Appliance Intel

Dash/Amazon

The slow cooker, Instant Pot, and air fryer have become countertop cookware constants. Here’s what you need to know about all three—plus, we reviewed a nifty new gadget that promises to turn any pressure cooker, including your Instant Pot, into an air fryer.

• Mealthy Air Fryer Lid Review: Everything You Need to Know — coming soon!
• The Best Slow Cookers for Every Personality
• How to Use a Crock-Pot
• Is Getting an Air Fryer Worth It?
• Is Getting an Instant Pot Worth It?

Bakeware Basics

Calphalon/Macy’s

Bakeware is its own separate category, and baking season has officially begun, so this is where we’re breaking down all the equipment related to sweet stuff (though much of it can be used for savory dishes too).

• A Guide to Essential Baking Tools
• Should You Use Glass or Metal Baking Dishes? — coming soon!
• Our Favorite International Bakeware for Keeping It Cozy — coming soon!
• The Best Pie Pans for Browned Bottoms — coming soon!
• The Prettiest Pie Pans for Your Blue Ribbon Desserts — coming soon!
• How to Get a Bundt Cake to Come Out of the Pan — coming soon!
• Should You Rotate Cookie Sheets When Baking? — coming soon!
• Should You Use Parchment or Silpat When Baking? — coming soon!
• How to Clean Greasy Silicone Mats — coming soon!
• How to Line Cake Pans with Parchment— coming soon!

Putting It All to Work

rudisill/Getty Images

Our favorite ways to put our sheet pans, skillets, air fryers, slow cookers, and other kitchen workhorses to good use (including the pieces that sometimes get pushed to the back of the cupboard—Bundt pans, we’re looking at you).

• Our Favorite Easy Sheet Pan Dinner Recipes
• How to Roast Veggies—and Why It Makes Them Taste Sweeter
• 15 Unexpected Air Fryer Recipes
  
• How to Use Your Wok on the Grill
• How to Use Everything on Your Wedding Registry
• New Ways to Use Your Muffin Tins
• New Ways to Use Your Bundt Pan — coming soon!
• New Ways to Use Your Loaf Pan — coming soon!
• How to Keep Food From Burning in Thin Saute Pans — coming soon!
• How to Roast without a Rack — coming soon!
• What to Do with Mini Cast Iron Pans — coming soon!
• The Best Instant Pot Cookbooks
• Air Fryer Cookbooks for Everybody, Including Vegans and Keto Eater — coming soon!

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Exclusive: Get an Extra 10% Off All-Clad & Other Cookware on Sale This Week

Starting today, we’re proclaiming it Cookware Week and celebrating all things under that umbrella. As part of the cookware extravaganza, we’re excited to bring you an exclusive offer in conjunction with discount retailer Home & Cook Sales. We already love their frequent markdowns on big-name, time-tested brands like All-Clad, T-Fal, and Lagostina—and this week, you can get an additional 10% off plus free shipping! 

Now, there are some caveats:

• You’ll see some items indicate “Packaging Damage” which just means their boxes were damaged while the contents inside are brand-new. 
• Other pieces are labeled “Second Quality” which indicates they have minor manufacturing defects like dents or scratches that won’t affect their performance (and in most cases are barely noticeable).
• In order to get the sale price, you’ll need to add your email address to the retailer’s mailing list—but you can opt out thereafter via email.

Related Reading: The 10 Best Direct-to-Consumer Cookware Brands of 2019

But there’s more good news:  Prices listed above and on the site show the initial mark-down, but when you add an item to your cart, you’ll see an additional 10 percent discount and get free shipping at checkout.

We’ve highlighted some of our favorite pieces below but click through to the site to see everything on offer (and to see the additional discount applied at checkout). 

All-Clad 16-inch Covered Oval Stainless Roaster with Rack, $140 (58% off)

Home & Cook Sales

This large roasting pan comes with a rack to elevate your meat and a lid to trap moisture when you want it. It’s great for oven-baked ribs, roast pork loin, and roast beef—and your Thanksgiving turkey (it should hold a bird up to 24 pounds). Safe for the stovetop too when you want to turn the pan drippings into gravy. Get an extra 10 percent off and free shipping at checkout.Buy Now

All-Clad 10-Piece Stainless Cookware Set, $525 (62% off)

Home & Cook Sales

Looking for a full set of cookware that will last you forever and perform beautifully every time? This tri-ply aluminum-core stainless steel All-Clad set fits the bill and includes everything you need: 8 and 10-inch frying pans, 2 and 3-quart covered saucepans, a 3-quart covered saute pan and an 8-quart covered stockpot. It’s all warp-resistant and dishwasher safe. Get an extra 10 percent off and free shipping at checkout.Buy Now

Lagostina Martellata 10-Piece Copper Cookware Set, $500 (38% off)

Home & Cook Sales

If you want something that looks fabulous even when it’s just being stored (preferably on full display), this hammered copper set is perfect. The copper outer layer not only looks great but ensures responsive temperature control, while the stainless lining won’t react to acidic ingredients but will ensure even heat distribution. This set includes 8 and 10-inch skillets, 2 and 3-quart saucepans with lids, a 3-quart deep saute pan, and a 6-quart stockpot with lid. Get an extra 10 percent off and free shipping at checkout.Buy Now

T-Fal Hard Anodized Titanium Nonstick 12-Piece Cookware Set, $95 (37% off)

Home & Cook Sales

If you’re on a budget, this T-Fal set is a great choice. The two frying pans, three lidded saucepans, and lidded stockpot are all made from durable anodized aluminum with a titanium nonstick coating, and comfort-grip silicone handles. The set comes with a turner and spoon, too. The one downside is that the handles are only oven safe up to 400 degrees (at least 100 degrees lower than the other sets above) but use your skillet when you want to broil and you’re golden. Get an extra 10 percent off and free shipping at checkout.Buy Now

All-Clad 5-Piece Stainless Steel Cookware Set, $299.95 (63% off)

Home & Cook Sales

You could make an argument that a solid frying pan, saucepan and sauté pan are three of the most important, and often used pieces of cookware. This stainless steel set of all three is down under $300, over half off the normal sticker price and get an extra 10 percent off and free shipping at checkout.Buy Now

WMF Spitzenklasse 6-Piece Knife Block Set, $130 (75% off)

Home & Cook Sales

Founded in 1853, WMF operates one of the largest blade forges in Germany. These hand-forged knives with triple-riveted, comfortable-to-hold composite handles have precision blades that stay sharp, and resist corrosion. The set includes a carving knife, chef’s knife with 8-inch blade, bread knife, small utility knife, and a steel sharpener, all in a handsome beechwood knife block. Get an extra 10 percent off and free shipping at checkout.Buy Now

All-Clad Hard Anodized Grande Griddle, $40 (78% off)

Home & Cook Sales

This large, 20 by 13-inch nonstick griddle is perfect for feeding a crowd, whether you’re making pancakes and eggs or seared smash burgers (do up to a dozen at once). It covers two burners and the stainless handles stay cool while the raised edge has a channel to collect grease. Get an extra 10% off and free shipping at checkout.Buy Now

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What is Natural Peanut Butter?

How is natural peanut butter different than conventional peanut butter? Why does it separate? Can you bake with it? Get answers to all these questions and more!

Continue reading "What is Natural Peanut Butter?" »

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Halloween Chocolate Covered Monster Pretzels

Chocolate Covered Pretzel Rods aren’t just for Christmas anymore! Give them a spooky makeover and turn them into Monster Pretzel Rods – colorful, fun, kid-friendly, and perfect for any Halloween party!

Continue reading "Halloween Chocolate Covered Monster Pretzels" »

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