2011 Cook's Tools Gift Guide

  Technology and locally sourced gourmet foods are among headliners in this gift guide, but so are tools that help serious home cooks produce professional results. Naughty or nice, you better be wishing that Santa has some of these goodies in his pack for you.

  The guide debuted on WTOC's Mid-Morning Live on Tuesday, Dec. 13. Co-hosts Jody Chapin and Tim Guidera got a first hand look at the goods. Click here and scan the little video feed in the upper right hand corner of the website to view the video.

Maverick Redi-Check Remote Cooking Thermometer and Timer

  Takes the guesswork away! Set the desired temperature and it beeps and flashes when it has reached that temperature. The Redi-Check remote has a 100-ft. range and 24-hour timer. There is a different program for six kinds of meats, lamb, beef, veal, pork, chicken, or turkey. The heat resistant probe wire fits through the oven door without affecting the insulation. Both the receiver and transmitter have fold out stands and belt clips for easy access. Instantly checks readiness and doneness of food. Great for grilling, oven and microwave cooking. 39.95

Swiss Diamond cookware

  This full range of Swiss Diamond cookware features a patented diamond reinforced non-stick cooking surface using real diamond crystals that are embedded in a high quality non-stick component. This new, revolutionary non-stick cooking surface makes for easy and effortless clean-up plus, will not peel, crack or blister -- even if you use metal utensils. The nonstick contains no PFOA and will keep its nonstick abilities even if cleaned in a dishwasher although, cleaning can usually be accomplished with a wet cloth and a little soapy water. Oven safe, and performance that includes the ability to create "fond," the little crunchy bits that make for flavor in sauces and gravies. From 69.99 per piece -- 8" fry pan on sale through 12/31/11 at Kitchenware Outfitters.

Shun knives

  The entire line of Shun Kershaw (PDF catalog download) knives are a pleasure to use -- and that means more pleasurable time spent in the kitchen. I'm particularly fond of the Ken Onion designed chef's knife. It features Shun's legendary VG-10 blade (clad with 32 layers of SUS410 stainless steel) Onion's signature ergonomic handle design executed n ebony Pakkawood. The result is a series of knives that are not only beautiful to look at, but a pleasure to use. Ken Onion knife pictured 199.99; other Shuns from $49.95.

Emile Henry Flame cookware and ceramic baking dishes

  30 percent lighter than cast iron; use on stove tops, gas, electric, halogen, microwave and Emile Henry Induction Interface Disc. Keeps hot, keeps cold - use directly from freezer to oven to table (0°F to 500°F). This natural clay pot is perfect for conducting and retaining heat with its extremely hard glaze and scratch resistant surface. A perfect tool for cooking rice or vegetables, soups and casseroles, pot roast, cakes and bread. This piece, and all Emile Henry cookware, is handcrafted in France and features a 10-year warranty against defects; dishwasher safe. 4.2-quart casserole 129.99; bakeware from 39.95.

Boos Block

  Use the cutting board the pros use. This reversible Maple cutting board, made by John Boos, is part of a professional series that's FDA approved and has been awarded the Gold Medal Award by Chefs of America. The extra-thick board will hold large cuts of meat, piles of vegetables and ample size turkeys. The board features two flat sides and slightly rounded edges for comfortable handling. Wooden cutting boards and blocks are easier on your knives, too! Measures 24-in. x 18-in. x 1.5-in. pictured about 85; smaller blocks begin around 26.

Silicon rubber utensils (Mitts, trivets, spoons, baking sheets)

  This high temperature resistant rubber has made its way into a variety of kitchen tools, from spoons and spatulas to bakeware, whisks and hot mitts. Among my favorites are the Le Creuset spoons (12) and oven mitts and hot pads. Unlike typical rubber utensils, silicon does not degrade and chip or sliver off into food as it ages. I like this spoon because the head slides off the wooden handle and pops into the dishwasher. Most of your favorite TV chefs have a line of silicon tools!

Rosle peeler

  Make short order of tedious peeling! With this Rosle stainless steel 6.7-in. swivel peeler, fruit and vegetables with thin or semi-thin skin can be quickly and easily peeled with the firmly-anchored swivel blade. Potato eyes and damaged parts of the vegetable can be easily rooted out with the point of the tool, which is sharpened on both sides. The peeler also cuts fine decorative strips perfect for garnishes, salads and Wok dishes. Use it on long, thin vegetables such as carrots, courgettes, radishes, cucumbers and turnips. This German made tool is made to last; dishwasher safe. 24.95.

Kuhn Rikon peeler

  This is the peeler professional chefs look for -- tough, dependable, low cost! A best-seller for more than 20 years, the original Kuhn Rikon Swiss peeler's popularity shows no signs of slowing down. The super sharp carbon steel blade digs into foods without slipping so you can work quickly and effortlessly. Small and light, it even tackles hard jobs like winter squash. Includes a handy potato eye remover on one side. Features a carbon steel blade and is bi-directional for right- or left-handed use. 3.99

Cooking apps and cookbooks

  Tech savvy cooks have never had a better Christmas! From free apps like Big Oven to classics like the Art of French Cooking by Julia Child to intensive apps like Professional Chef from the Culinary Institute of America -- there are plenty of great resources ready to move your iPad or tablet from the sofa and into the kitchen. Traditional book lovers will want to seek out local author and food historian' Damon Lee Fowler's "The Savannah Cookbook," (34.95) and the newly released "Gottlieb's Bakery: Savannah's Sweetest Tradition." (16.99)

Local foods

  The crop of locally-originated gourmet foods is at an all time high, from baby beets and jalapeno/raspberry jam from Leoci's Trattoria to Espy's Tybee Island Tomato Chutney. Hot sauce and barbecue fans will want to check out selections from JohnnyHarris BBQ, Wiley's Championship BBQ and Angel's BBQ. A myriad of flavors can be amped up with aged balsamic vinegars and flavored olive oils from Lowcountry Gourmet Foods -- where you can taste before you buy. Lastly, locally roasted coffee offers a huge selection, with custom blends and roasts from PERC, Cup to Cup and Ogeechee River Coffee.

  Can't decide? Gift cards are always a perfect choice to give your favorite foodie a night out or a shopping spree of their own.Most can be ordered over the phone, call your favorite restaurant, kitchenware store or coffee roaster.

Sources:

Thanks to Kitchenware Outfitters, 5500 Abercorn Street, 12 Oaks Shopping Center, Savannah GA 31405, 912.356.1117, for providing props for the TV broadcast. Most, if not all cook's tools can be found at this locally owned kitchenware store and cooking school. Cookbook author Damon Lee Fowler works and teaches at the store -- where you can also find autographed copies of his books.

Lowcountry Gourmet Foods, 123 East Liberty Street, Savannah, GA 31401, (912) 233-9155

PERC Coffee, 2424 DeSoto Avenue, Savannah GA, 31401, (912) 209-0025. Check the website for retail locations

Cup to Cup Coffee Roasters, 140 Johnny Mercer Blvd., Savannah GA 31410, (912) 856-5866

Ogeechee River Coffee, 4517 Habersham Street, Savannah GA 31405, (912) 354-7420

Leoci's Trattoria, 606 Abercorn Street, Savannah, Ga (912) 335-7027

Espy's Tybee Island Tomato Chutney

Johnny Harris BBQ, 1651 East Victory Drive, Savannah, GA 31404-4139, (912) 354-7810

Wiley's Championship BBQ, 4700 US Highway 80 East, Savannah, GA 31410, (912) 201-3259

Angel's BBQ, 21 West Oglethorpe Lane, Savannah, GA 31401-3971 (912) 495-0902

E. Shaver Books,326 Bull Street, Savannah, GA 31401, (912) 234-7257

Savannahfoodie.com 2011 wine & beer gift guide

The challenge was this: Short list or long list?

There is a seemingly unending stream of wines pouring through the market -- and hopefully into consumers' glasses. For bargain hunetrs, there is plenty to be found among the selections from South America, Spain and Italy. I've seen several young Bordeaux lately for under $20 -- and truckloads of perfectly enjoyable California wines that still fall under the $15 target.
Beer? Ditto.
With the number of American craft beer breweries growing in number and production with each passing month, it's tough to not visit the shop and find a new label or two. Of course, there are great imports coming to market as well. Devoted beer drinkers have never had it so good.
So how did I choose?
I went with a handful of favorites from among the dozens of wines and beers I've tasted in 2011. I have chosen some main stream labels -- and some more obtuse selections -- that will make your gift stand heads above the crowd.
TO DOWNLOAD the gift guide, click here -- it's an easy to manage PDF.

2011 savannahfoodie spirits gift guide

I love shopping in the package stores over the holidays. The gift sets are often very cool -- and I know my friends will truly appreciate a gift of fine spirits.
On many of those shopping trips, I begin answering questions from other shoppers who are looking for that special bottle for their friend, family member or, gulp, the boss!
This guide is meant as a simple problem solver for just those folks!
TO DOWNLOAD the guide as a PDF, click here.
Guides for Beer & Wine and Cook's Tools are being finished, check back to get more ideas for your hoiday gift giving!