Welcome back to Sweet Things and our first ever gift guide! I was completely disorganised last year and didn’t put one together in time but this year, I’m excited to share a bumper guide filled with gift inspo for all of your food loving friends and family. Or for some ideas on what to buy for yourself.
The vast majority of these gifts are from smaller brands and independent makers with a large proportion coming in at under £50. These are all things I would either buy for myself, already own and love or would be very very happy to receive. And not an Amazon link in sight.
Enjoy!
Benjamina x
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I, for one, am a big fan of an edible gift - homemade or otherwise. It’s a great way for the recipient to try things they perhaps wouldn’t normally buy and discover new brands.
Anything by the London Borough of Jam will be a winner. They have the most creative flavours out there including lemon & vanilla marmalade, rhubarb and cardamom and damson & black pepper. £6.50 - £7 a jar
Mama Yu Chilli Oil. Are you a millennial if you’ve not got at least two jars of chilli oil on the go? Lao Gan Ma Chilli Oil is a staple in my fridge but the mother and daughter duo at Mama Yu are making very delicious jars. Check out the garlic chilli oil and the curry chilli oil. £6.99
A festive season without some chocolate isn’t very festive, is it? I always pick up bits from Chocolate Society every year (the malt balls and tea and biscuit bar are favourites) or Pump Street has a winter tasting box including a cinnamon bun bar and a panetonne bar. £6-£20
I love a good biscuit all year round but Christmas is where I splash out. And it’s a good thing these Fortnum’s Toffolossus Biscuits come in high at £27 because if they were any cheaper, it’d be a dangerous weekly purchase. Honourable mention to the ginger version too. £26.95
Citizens of Soil Olive Oil for small batch extra virgin olive oils. They offer a subscription membership where you can discover a new oil every month. Bottles from £19, subscriptions from £15 a month.
You can’t go too wrong with a cookbook and no matter where your interests lie, there are so many to choose from, be it new releases or older classics.
*All books below are affiliate links to Bookshop where I receive a small commission if you purchase at no extra cost to you. They’re a great alternative to Amazon and support local and independent bookshops.
It would be rude of me not to recommend my own books! There are three (!) to choose from with the most recent being I’ll Bring Dessert. For a wider mix of sweet and savoury baking, try A Good Day to Bake and for a real throwback, my first book, A New Way to Cake has 60 recipes for flavour forward cakes. £16-£22
Weekend Recipes by Jess Elliot Dennison is such a cosy book with homely recipes that you actually want to make. It’s a follow up to Midweek Recipes, also filled with delicious, accessible cooking. £23.50
For Caribbean flavours and essays, pick up Kin by Marie Mitchell or Caribe by Keisha Sakarah. Or both!
Chop Chop by Ozoz Sokoh is a beautiful introduction to Nigerian cooking.
Sweet by Alexina Anatole unlocks the secret of sweetness and shows you how to bring out the best in your desserts. Get it for the Milky Bar basque chseesecake alone.
For the pasta lovers, Padella would be a fab gift. It’s one of my go to spots for fresh pasta in London and remains consistently delicious and affordable.
All Consuming by Ruby Tandoh is not a cookbook but is essential reading if you’re interested in understanding how the way we eat and our tastes have changed over the years.
The king of plant based baking is Phil Khoury and his latest book Beyond Baking is a must for anyone looking to understand and master the art of baking without dairy and eggs.
A good knife is an essential piece of equipment and the range of knives from Katto are both stunning and great to use. They’re made in Sheffield using Japanese steel and also offer free sharpening. From £140
For a more everyday knife, All Day Goods have the prettiest butter knives complete with butter box. £29
My cordless electric whisk is very well used and loved. Just charge it and you can whisk anywhere your heart desires. £123
Once you learn how to properly use a stainless steel pan, there’s no turning back. I love the range by Made In. From £99
I have more aprons than I care to admit but it’s hard to resist when they come in patterns like these Damson Madder ones. Also worth checking out the matching oven gloves too! £36
My most used baking tins are all by Silverwood. They’re long lasting and come in pretty much every shape and size.
A good spatula is a small but mighty bit of kitchen equipment that I would be lost without. You can get these from lots of places but for a gift, the Le Creuset ones come in the largest range of colours and are pretty sturdy. £13
Keep your dates organised and remember what’s in season with this Seasonal Eating Calendar by Emma Cantlay. Also includes a small selection of recipes too. £21
I always get asked where my plates and platters are from and for the most part, they’re handmade by independent ceramicists. Klei Shop is my go to place to get pieces by different makers all in one place. If you’re local to Hackney you can pop in to look at pieces in person.
In particular, I have lots of pieces by Lily Pearmain and Skye Corewijn
Recently purchased these beautiful dessert bowls by Stick Ceramics. £30
For something fun, these cherry or strawberry plates are cool! Sourced via Lamp in Peckham which is full of colourful homeware, including this butter dish. £18
These food candles by Introna are SO fun! There are loads to choose from; I particularly love the baguette, fried egg and raspberry tart. £15 - £45
I LOVE a good jigsaw puzzle and I’ve got my eye on the butter themed puzzle by Piecework . They have the most chic puzzles you’ve ever seen! Piecework is US based so shipping to the UK is pricey but you will have access to the whole range. I’ve found and linked to a UK stockist for ease. £38
Silverware is very much on trend at the moment and these silver coupes would make a great gift for any keen dinner party hosts you’re buying for. These are by far the most affordable out there at the moment. £3 each
Piglet in Bed Linen Napkins will add a pretty pop of colour and texture to any dinner table. £39
Experience based gifts give some of the best memories. Here’s one I think you’ll love.
I’m yet to attend but I’ve heard nothing but great things about Karla Zazueta’s Mexican Cooking Classes. I’ve cooked from her cookbook, Norteña, but you can’t beat learning from the master. Classes are in Karla’s north London home where you can learn how to make everything from mole, tamales, birria and a range of tacos. £70-£130
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