We think that many chefs will be surprised by a 52-pound box beneath their tree this year because Modernist Cuisine is high on people’s lists. But beyond MC, gift options are plenty: we’ve put together a gift guide to help you find the perfect present for every foodie in your life. Each member of the MC team has come up with his or her favorite suggestions. Many of them are much easier to lift! These are all things that we personally have, wish we had, or would give as a gift. For other great ideas, see Eater.com’s and Seattle Food Geek’s gift guides, as well as our equipment page.
Vitamix
$378 5.99
Available at Amazon, Sur La Table
Recommended by Sam Fahey-Burke, Culinary Research Assistant
Cuisinart Stick Blender
$19.73
Available at Amazon, Sur La Table
Recommended by Judy Wilson, Editorial Assistant
Aroma Kit
Cost varies by size and brand
Available at various online retailers
Recommended by Maxime Bilet, Coauthor
Excaliber Food Dehydrator
$105 – 2.19
Available at Amazon
Recommended by Johnny Zhu, Culinary Research Assistant
Inventing Cuisine DVDs
$19. – 22
Available at Amazon
Recommended by Aaron Verzosa, Culinary Research Intern
Uni Opener
Approx. $128
Available at various online retailers
Recommended by Nathan Myhrvold, Coauthor
Lucky Peach issue or subscription
$9. 28
Available at McSweeney’s, Amazon
Recommended by Chris Young, Coauthor
Benriner Japanese Mandoline
$26. – 64
Available at Amazon, Sur La Table
Recommended by Anjana Shanker, Culinary Reasearch Assistant
FoodSaver Vacuum Sealer
$66 – 1.48
Available at Amazon
Recommended by Wayt Gibbs, Editor-in-Chief
Liquid Nitrogen
Approx. $2/gallon
Available at welding supply stores
Recommended by Aaron Verzosa, Culinary Research Intern
Pacojet
$3,998
Available at Pacojet
Recommended by Nathan Myhrvold, Coauthor
Heston Blumenthal at Home
$37
Available at Amazon
Recommended by Chris Young, Coauthor
Deni or Kuhn Rikon Pressure Cooker
$66 1.49 (Deni brand), $95 – 259 (Kuhn Rikon brand)
Deni available at Amazon
Kuhn Rikon available at Amazon, Sur La Table
Recommended by Mark Clemens, Art Director (Deni); Mark Pearson, Business Development (Kuhn Rikon)
Microplane
$8. – 17
Available at Amazon, Sur La Table
Recommended by Anjana Shanker, Culinary Reasearch Assistant
SousVide Supreme
$299 3.99
Available at Amazon, Sur La Table
Recommended by Daniel McCoy, Editorial Assistant
Thermapen
$89
Available at Amazon
Recommended by Wayt Gibbs, Editor-in-Chief
Kopi Luwak Coffee
$50 and up
Available at various online retailers
Recommended by Mark Clemens, Art Director
Artistre Experimental Kit
$59
Available at Amazon
Recommended by Judy Wilson, Editorial Assistant
1800 Watt Induction Burner
$66 4.15
Available at Amazon
Recommended by Johnny Zhu, Culinary Research Assistant
Thank you for sharing these ideas. I found the blender is a good idea for me.
What is a good choice in a vacuum that can handle liquids. I like my sous vide but the small vacuum I have can’t handle even drops of liquid
Linda, a chamber vac sealer will handle liquids.
The other choice would be to freeze them when possible before sealing. Sometimes you can use gravity (ie, hold the bag below the counter edge while you seal it) with small amounts of liquid. Another solution is to use ziploc bags, and a water bath, then lower the bag into the water until near the zip line, and this should force most of the air out. Not ideal, but workable.