Welcome to Hotline Rewind, the weekly sequence 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 the 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 in control of 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 principally, he retailers for a residing. And because of this, he had some extremely useful last-minute buying recommendation:
What’s the greatest, last-minute reward for food-focused pals?
I’ll say it—we as a society want to maneuver on from reward playing cards. They’re principally disappointing and lack that private contact. I additionally acknowledge we are able to’t all be good. Enter our subscriptions. Jackson loves our month-to-month grass-fed butter subscriptions, in addition to our salami of the month. Whenever you organize them by way of Food52, you additionally get stunning explainer PDFs 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 received’t anticipate?
Jackson was tremendous fast to return to 2 concepts: first, the the tremendous sturdy/sturdy Excellent Prep Rubber Chopping Board. Rubber chopping boards are a favourite of Japanese cooks for being simple to wash and actually type to your knives.
He additionally loves Holcomb’s Dripless Stainless-Metal Oil Can. Not solely is it a surprising assertion on your counter, however it’s really dripless. We have now examined it for weeks, and it has stored our cooktops clear and oil-free.
What’s one thing folks can go with out shopping for this 12 months?
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 unhealthy on your well being and the atmosphere.
As a substitute, they advocate 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, however it offers a pure nonstick floor that we consider in.
What’s the final Food52 stocking stuffer?
Listed below are Jackson’s favourite little extras to offer this 12 months:
I’m over sweets! What are some good shelf-stable, savory treats I can provide to my pals?
Individuals beneath estimate the ability of a home made cracker! They’ll 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 12 months 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 at the least as soon as per week. He has unbelievable takes on basic Italian pastry and sweets. And I used to be in a position to pattern a ton of them at Food52’s most up-to-date cookbook membership occasion, too.
What are the very best cookies to ship by mail?
As a result of bumpy transit and unknown route temperatures, you’re going to desire a cookie that’s sturdy and simple to pack tightly collectively to keep away from crumblage. I would additionally keep away from melty elements (chocolate, glaze, frosting and so on). Nea’s new Swedish Pecan Pralines are good!
Have extra vacation entertaining questions? Ask away on our Hotline or drop us a line at 1 (877)-52-HOTLINE.
