The Goods guide to gifting: Tasty treats for the food enthusiast in your life

If you've got someone who loves food on your list, this gift guide is for you. Whether they love to cook, or simply enjoy trying new foods, a delicious gift may be just what they're wishing for this holiday season. Instead of a generic gift card, try gifting these tasty treats with an artisanal and local spin. They can be sourced from your local market or from local makers and add an extra special touch to your gifting this season. Here are some of Shahir's suggestions for the food fans on your list.

For the artisanal foodie

Get your hands on some good quality local honey, such as Staite's Honey from Zephyr, Ontario, so your foodie can add some sweetness to their dishes. We also love this family owned and operated honey distribution out of Vancouver Island, called Big D's Bees. And if you're not on the West Coast, there are lots of apiaries that you can contact to ask how to buy their sweet-local product. Support the bees!

You haven't had hot sauce until you've tried artisanal hot sauce, such as this spicy one from SupiCuco. Local artisans use different combinations of peppers to give you ultimate taste experience. Pick a sauce that suits a flavour profile you know your friend is into and you've got the perfect gift. It's a great way to bring the experience of one of your favourite restaurants home, such as this one from Joe Beef.

Olive oil is also a thoughtful gift that all foodies need. You can even shop local olive oil tasting bars such as My Olive for oils infused with garlic and other spices to really pump up your giftee's next dish. Some oils are even available in fruit flavours, which make for a delicious salad dressing and allow for greens to be dressed with some added flavour.  

For the practical foodie

These are great gifts that are inexpensive but make a difference in a kitchen. Let your giftee cook in style with a beautiful, sturdy and durable apron – they're often available at a local farmer's market or Christmas fair. We're really into these ones that are handmade in Ottawa. Freshly cracked pepper is also a must in a foodie kitchen and a pepper mill, such as this sleek one by Trudeau, makes for a beautiful display item. Pair this with a salt croc such as this bamboo one from Kitchen Stuff Plus for a match made in gifting heaven! Don't be like Shahir's mother and pour salt right out of the box – you will use too much or too little. Instead, a salt croc helps you control the amount of seasoning you use and there's tons of them from makers on Etsy. And finally, tea towels always come in handy, so why not get ones with cool prints? They'll add some cheer to any countertop.