We’re making a list, and we’re checking it twice… to make sure it has everything our Flour + Water team wants for the holidays this year. Every November (since, umm, last November) we poll our crew for the culinary-related gifts they’d most like to receive during the holidays. From artisanal Japanese knives to fridge + pickle forks to "The Nancy" (IYKYK), we hope this list provides inspo for all your gift-giving needs.
And because we’re not above a shameless plug, for your pasta + pizza-loving pals, don’t sleep on our Italifornia® Pasta Night Bundle with Ciao Pappy + Atelier Saucier, and newly dropped “World’s Best Pizza Cutter” with Bernal Cutlery.
Happy holidays, Pasta + Pizza People. Let’s make it a good one.
Alkali Rye’s Nikka from the Barrel Gift Box ($180) + Spice Gift Box ($112)
Becca Courtright, General Manager, Flour + Water
I love to shop local when I can so I would head to Alkali Rye in Oakland on Grand. I’ve been really getting into sake lately and always love warm spirits for the holidays, so the Nikka from the Barrel Gift Box brings the two together with its sake cup set and Nikka Whisky. The Spice Gift Box is also on my list, because who doesn’t love flavor? I’m always reaching for different spices to incorporate a wide array of flavors into my dishes.
Le Creuset Bread Oven ($248 - $310)
Rachel Orner, Executive Chef, Flour + Water/Penny Roma/Flour + Water Pasta Shop
I jumped on the sourdough bandwagon late, but have been loving making loaves on my days off. As a bonus, I get to experiment with all of my home "garden" herbs in the process of testing different variations.
Elijah Baccus, Sous Chef, Flour + Water
Everything that Kinto does rips, and I love these small jugs in particular as a vessel for hot broths served at the table. I’m also obsessed with the water glasses they make after spotting them at Rory’s Place in Ojai. The world needs more cutie water glasses.
A Knife Set from Bernal Cutlery (various prices)
Alan Garcia, Chef de Cuisine, Penny Roma
I’d personally love a new set of Japanese knives, specifically the Sakai Kikumori Kikuzuki Kuro 240mm Yanagi, Hitohira TD 210mm Gyuto SLD Stainless Clad Nashiji, and Hitohira Togashi 180mm Deba Shirogami 2 Ho Wood (D-Shape) from Bernal Cutlery, our neighbors in the Mission District. For giving, I love my Shardor 20-Bar Espresso Machine. It's not that expensive given the quality, and it works great. I also love my Hedley & Bennett Sarape apron.
Andrew Poole, Sales Manager, Flour + Water Foods
My mom makes the best dill pickles in the world (seriously..if you’ve never tried them, let’s talk). As the Flour + Water team knows, I’m a HUGE pickle fan, but I often find that my fingers are too fat to fit in the pickle jar! SAD STORY, I KNOW! Cue the Pickle Fork. You wouldn’t catch me without one of these in the fridge! It’s functional, it’s fabulous, and totally versatile!
A Local Workshop or Activity from ClassBento (various prices)
Kristina Farino, Service Manager, Flour + Water/Penny Roma/Flour + Water Pasta Shop
I just discovered ClassBento and think it’d make a really cool gift to get someone a cooking or craft-making class! I'm trying to spend more time outside of work finding creative, artistic hobbies, so would love to receive something like this.
Moccamaster by Technivorm KBGV Select Coffee Maker ($247 at Williams Sonoma)
Mac Malone, Director of Marketing + Events, Flour + Water Hospitality Group
I’ve spent my entire adult life making pour over cafe au laits each morning, but one cup is never enough. I’ve been daydreaming about this Moccamaster for awhile as it feels like the grown-up version of my old routine: same quality, less fuss, and a full pot so I can actually get out the door on time.
Snibbs' "The Nancy" Clog ($149)
Madison Migneault, General Manager, Flour + Water Pizzeria
Chef Nancy Silverton actually designed this shoe after farfelle! They are built for crushing marathon shifts in style.
Wine Tote Bag ($49) + Warming Mat ($39)
Yaya Carreno, General Manager, Penny Roma
I own both these products already, but think they would make awesome gifts for others. In San Francisco, we're all about the park days, so the wine tote is essential. It also pulls double duty when you're bringing bottles to a holiday party! For the hosts in your life, you can't go wrong with a warming mat that will keep your spread at temp throughout your shindig.