2020 has certainly been a year to remember and one we might all want to quickly forget. It went by at a snail’s pace and yet flew by at the same time, and here we are at the holidays counting down the last two months of the year. While gifts of stuff and things that take up space isn’t necessarily our jam, this year, as “experiences” might not be so widely used or appreciated amidst the pandemic, we put together a gift guide of things we love from local purveyors in the Denver, Boulder, and Fort Collins area.
As always, we are offering gift certificates to our tours.
Another favorite we’ve been supporting for a decade now- a gift of spices from Savory Spice Shop. Their gift boxes have something for everyone who enjoys cooking, grilling, baking- you name it. You cannot go wrong with a gift of spices, especially now when we are all cooking so much at home.
For cookbook fans, A Bite of Boulder is the newest locally produced cookbook by First Bite, Boulder County Restaurant Week. First Bite’s owner Jessica Benjamin realized in the spring it was not going to be appropriate or successful to pack restaurants with new diners this fall, which is normally when her restaurant week runs. So she put together a compilation of recipes from past-participating restaurants so you can make a favorite restaurant meal at home. Just as First Bite’s mission is to give back to the restaurant community, at least 50% of all sales will be going directly back to each featured restaurant. It’s a win-win for every participant.
Denver’s finest watering holes have a new cookbook called Happy Hour Handbook. The Happy Hour Handbook is a compilation of appetizer and cocktail recipes, along with tips and suggestions, from bartenders and chefs at some of Denver’s most renowned and beloved bars and restaurants. The Handbook will become your happy hour go-to with gorgeous photography and recipes that you can recreate at home. It is the ultimate gift for any foodie this holiday season and, even better, your investment in this cookbook will help the local independent hospitality community as all proceeds from book sales will be distributed to the contributing bars and restaurants.
Another cookbook we’ve been following as it has been developed over the past year or so is devoted to cooking with hemp and this unique book is the PERFECT gift for some folks. Hemp Can Change the World, A Cookbook is by Boulder’s Shadi Ramey. Chef Ramey has not only put together a compilation of her sure to be show-stopper recipes. She’s printed one of the first cookbook ever on hemp paper, the project was 100% carbon neutral, and proceeds are being donated to 1% for the Planet and The Last Prisoner Project.
Any fan of pickles and giardinierra will be thrilled to try some of Denver’s newest food purveyor: Minga! Provisions. Chef-turned local celebrity pod cast host Eric Chiapetta of Chef or Death didn’t waste a minute of our spring time lockdown when he started making giardinierra, then pickles, then dressings, and selling them online, at farmers markets, and at local shops. His brand new brand of condiments has been picked up by local grocer Alphalfas, a true testament to their excellent quality and Eric’s can-do attitude.
Eighth & Fork is a very unique upscale discounted dining membership in Denver featuring some of the city’s best restaurants, bars, coffee shops, bakeries, and food purveyors. This year they put together a delicious lineup of Colorado gift boxes so you can send someone a taste of home. Eighth & Fork also donates a portion of all sales to the Denver Rescue Mission, so purchasing from them also helps feed someone in need. Win-win!
For the cheese lover in your life, a Cured gift box will certainly delight! Boulder’s premier cheese and charcuterie shop has put together a broad lineup of gift boxes to meet all budgets.
Our good friends at Nuance Chocolate in Fort Collins have something for the most sophisticated chocolate fans in your life. Giving a sweet gift from the largest bean-to-bar selection in the nation not only supports this small local business, but all of the individual cacao farmers they work with to bring unique single origin chocolate bars to Colorado.
Piece, Love, & Chocolate is Boulder’s premier chocolate boutique and they certainly ship their truffles and confections nationwide. In addition to deliciously gorgeous truffles, they have an entire line that is dairy free and vegan for that special someone who might not have had a delicious piece of chocolate in a while!
Temper Chocolate and Confections in the Denver Central Market specializes in artistic mouthwatering bonbons. Opening a box from them will certainly be an experience to be remembered.
Wine aficionados will swoon over a subscription to Settembre Cellar’s Wine Club. This Boulder winery produces some of the best Colorado wines you can find, and their club membership, besides guaranteeing excellent wines delivered throughout the door, has other perks like discounts on bottles and exclusive wine club member events.
Anyone looking to improve their cooking skills will certainly benefit from and truly enjoy a class (virtual or in person in small groups) with Food Lab. Chef-owner Casey Easton raises the bar on cooking experiences and we have enjoyed everything we’ve learned from her.
Sweet Rolling Pins are the home baker’s dream holiday gift come true. This Colorado small business makes the coolest rolling pins we’ve ever seen and they’re guaranteed to be a unique gift, even for the most fully-outfitted kitchen.
Just in time for the holiday season, film passes and ticket packs for the 8th Annual Flatirons Food Film Festival , presented virtually, are now on sale. Purchasers can give the experiential gift of a food and film festival with films, events, and speakers that viewers can enjoy in the safety and warmth of their homes from Jan. 28-Feb. 5 2021. All inclusive virtual passes, which will enable access to all 13 film programs, are available for the early bird price of $90. The regular price is $100. Virtual ticket packs are $22 for the two pack, $43 for the four pack, and $80 for the eight pack. Individual film program tickets will be $12.