I do of course hope to see as many readers as possible at the “Underground Christmas Market” on December 5th where you will be able to buy food and craft gifts as well as eating and drinking and hanging out listening to music. Here’s the link to buy tickets:
http://www.wegottickets.com/event/96668
But in the meantime here’s a few things I personally would love to get for christmas and I hope it gives you all some great ideas for what to buy your loved ones, assuming they are foodies like me.
This glass teapot from Siléa would show off one’s whole leaf teas beautifully but I’ve not found it in Britain.
Retro oilcloth for tables from Casa Mexico. You can wipe it down, and it will brighten any kitchen.
Subscription to Fire & Knives: Tim Hayward’s bespoke food quarterly, elegant writing, fine illustrations.
Pretty much anything from Toast. I like this bread board made from Mango wood £35 but I also love their jackets(and they do big sizes for piggy cooks like me).
Books from Persephone. They are beautifully designed, reissued classics. Six month subscription ‘one book a month’ £54. I’ve already got ‘Good Food on the Aga’ by Ambrose Heath. Gorgeous.
Anything by Cornishware. Cheering seaside colours, sturdy porcelain, simultaneously modern and vintage. Classic.
I love this chocolate which has salty liquorice in liquid toffee form inside. From this Finnish site.
Sacred Spirits gin and vodka. Hand made in a micro distillery in Highgate. Ticks all the boxes for me.
I love Labour and Wait near Brick Lane. I buy my candles there. I like ‘quincaillerie’ hardware shops, in France, Labour and Wait approximates their style.
Anonymous
November 10, 2010 at 8:30 amMmmm, lovely stuff.
I bought some herb markers from Etsy for my sister-in-law. I think they may have been buried in the earthquake though.
theundergroundrestaurant
November 10, 2010 at 8:32 amWhich earthquake? yikes
Catherine
November 10, 2010 at 8:53 amI have the exact same copper bain marie saucepan – the only copper piece I brought from Norfolk 🙁 The rest all needed retinning & I couldn't find anyone to do it.
Gerry Snape
November 10, 2010 at 11:55 amGreat list…I think I might print it off and leave it lying around with my Toast Catalogue.
theundergroundrestaurant
November 10, 2010 at 12:13 pmCatherine: yes it's difficult to find someone to retin. They do it in carcassonne but I'm not sure where you would find that here. I have a few copper pans I need retinned too.
Gerry: yup, brilliant idea! hehe
MsMarmitelover
November 10, 2010 at 12:20 pmFound this info on retinning: http://www.housetohome.co.uk/articles/Who_repairs_antique_copper_pots__118676.html
Interesting thread on how to retin and how it used to be done, someone would come round every year to retin people's pots: http://www.finishing.com/255/53.shtml
chumbles
November 10, 2010 at 1:05 pmSome really pretty stuff here; the sort of thing I admire when I go and visit other people's houses! I'm far too idle for the active stuff and far too clumsy for the delicate. But the oilcloth is a great idea- I bought the plastic equivalent from Carrefours, which has a lovely Autumn Harvest sort of theme and protects my walnut surgeon's table.
MsMarmitelover
November 10, 2010 at 1:08 pmWalnut surgeon's table…that sounds lovely!
The Curious Cat
November 10, 2010 at 3:13 pmHey, finally getting a chance to catch up – I love some of your ideas – especially that chocolate bar with liquorice in it! And only just heard of Toast but loving it already…Great recommends! xxx