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 few 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 every thing bought on the Food52 store is of the best high quality and feels definitively particular. So mainly, he retailers for a dwelling. And in consequence, he had some extremely useful last-minute purchasing recommendation:
What’s the greatest, last-minute present for food-focused pals?
I’ll say it—we as a society want to maneuver on from present playing cards. They’re principally disappointing and lack that private contact. I additionally acknowledge we will’t all be excellent. Enter our subscriptions. Jackson loves our month-to-month grass-fed butter subscriptions, in addition to our salami of the month. Once you organize them via Food52, you additionally get stunning explainer PDFs that you could print and current to your recipient as a substitute of handing them a blurry image from the web.
My chef brother has every thing. What’s one thing he gained’t count on?
Jackson was tremendous fast to return to 2 concepts: first, the the tremendous sturdy/sturdy Good Prep Rubber Slicing Board. Rubber slicing boards are a favourite of Japanese cooks for being simple to scrub and actually sort to your knives.
He additionally loves Holcomb’s Dripless Stainless-Metal Oil Can. Not solely is it a shocking assertion on your counter, however it’s really dripless. We’ve got examined it for weeks, and it has saved our cooktops clear and oil-free.
What’s one thing individuals can go with out shopping for this 12 months?
Jackson and our co-founder, Amanda, agree that the largest 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 setting.
As an alternative, they suggest 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 beautiful, but it surely gives a pure nonstick floor that we imagine in.
What’s the final Food52 stocking stuffer?
Listed here 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 below estimate the ability of a do-it-yourself cracker! They will 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 not less than as soon as per week. He has unimaginable takes on basic Italian pastry and sweets. And I used to be capable of pattern a ton of them at Food52’s most up-to-date cookbook membership occasion, too.
What are the most effective cookies to ship by mail?
Resulting from 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 parts (chocolate, glaze, frosting and so forth). Nea’s new Swedish Pecan Pralines are excellent!
Have extra vacation entertaining questions? Ask away on our Hotline or drop us a line at 1 (877)-52-HOTLINE.
