When it comes to choosing the perfect Father's Day gift for a dad who's obsessed with food and wine, the standard tie or putter just won't do. So we've put together a list of some of our favorite food and wine-related finds sure to please even the finickiest of foodie dads. Just find your foodie dad type below and get shopping!
1. The gadget dad: We're more than a little bit obsessed with our SodaStream, which allows you to turn water into seltzer or soda with the press of a button. It's cost-effective and eco-friendly and kids love the buzz sound the SodaStream makes when it adds carbonation.
2. The java junkie dad: If dad wakes up craving that jolt of caffeine, make things as easy as possible on him by getting him the Keurig Mini Brewer. For those java hounds with a bit more time on their hands, Oakland-based Blue Bottle Coffee Co. has some of the best beans around (indeed, they've developed a special blend just for the famed Chez Panisse restaurant in Berkeley, and you can purchase it online!). A close second is Peet's Coffee & Tea, another Bay Area favorite that has garnered a worldwide following.
3. The gourmet chef dad: Whether dad's a serious chef or just testing out his culinary chops, The Filling Station is a veritable treasure trove of brilliant gift ideas. We're partial to the Test Tube Salt Sampler and the Oil & Vinegar 12-Pack Sampler. If dad's a steak guy, treat him to a selection of steak sauces from award-winning chef Tom Collichio's Craft restaurants. And for the grillmaster, you can't go wrong with the new Steel Grill Wide Chef's Pan from Williams-Sonoma. Be sure to pair it with an assortment of Regional BBQ Sauces from some of America's best barbecue joints. And check out this recommendation from celebrity event planner Cathy Riva: a personalized, eco friendly cutting board from Soundview Millworks - I may just have to order one of these for myself!
4. The carnivore dad: One word - bacon. Namely, Zingerman's Bacon of the Month Club. What dad wouldn't love having a pound of homemade, cured bacon delivered straight to his doorstep each month?
5. The cheesehead dad: Cheese really should be a food group unto itself. New York City based purveyor Murray's Cheese has some of the best cheese around. You can feed dad's cheese habit all year round by purchasing him a membership in Murray's Cheese of the Month Club.
6. The carb loading dad: If dad tends to devour the bread basket before you've even had a chance to order at a restaurant, then he'll go gaga over the bread from famed French boulangerie Poilane. Poilane ships its legendary sourdough loaves directly from France, and you can even personalize dad's bread with an inscription!
7. The vino-obsessed dad: If dad fancies himself an amateur sommelier, he'll love these picks from Richard Coraine of Union Square Hospitality Group. Richard has a pick for every price point. In the $20-$30 range, try a Pinot Noir from Evening Land Vineyard. If you're able to spend a bit more, you can't go wrong with Shafer's Red Shoulder Ranch Chardonnay ($49.99 on Wine.com). And if Dad's been extra good this year, treat him to an acclaimed Chardonnay or Pinot Noir from Kistler Vineyards.
8. The after dinner drink dad: My husband and I were thrilled to discover Castoro Cellars' Late Harvest "Port" Zinfandel on a recent trip to the Central Coast of California. It's a port-style Zinfandel that's a perfect ending to a special meal, or a sweet indulgence to sip on its own at any time. Feel free to gild the lily by pairing it with Teuscher's famed Champagne Truffles.
9. The dad with a serious sweet tooth: As a California native, it's in my blood to love See's Candies. Since turning my husband on to these delectable creations, he's also become hooked, and we never fail to leave California without a substantial haul. If dad's more of a baked goods guy, you can't go wrong with e.e. cookies' Cookie of the Month club or an assortment of treats from Brooklyn-based One Girl Cookies. You can even send dad a "Father's Day Dozen" assortment of cupcakes from Georgetown Cupcakes (yes, the one from TLC's DC Cupcakes show).
10. The restaurant connoisseur dad: If dad loves discovering the latest and greatest restaurants, treat him to a Zagat Smartbox, which comes complete with a $99 gift card that buys dinner for the recipient and a guest of his or her choice at some of the highest rated restaurants in America’s most exciting cities, including Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, New York and Washington, D.C. (more cities are in the works!). If you'd like to treat your restaurant-loving dad to a dinner out but you're on a tight budget, consider purchasing a reservation through Village Vines, a members-only concierge that offers insider pricing of 30% off all food and drink at leading restaurants in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. (with Atlanta, Boston, Denver, Philadelphia and Miami on the horizon).
Other great ideas for any type of foodie dad include a subscription to Bon Appetit or Food & Wine, as well as a cooking or wine tasting class (I'm partial to the cooking classes at Williams-Sonoma). And if all else fails, companies such as Dean & Deluca make some fabulous gourmet gift baskets.
GIVEAWAY! One lucky Macaroni Kid EATS! subscriber is going to win a Father's Day prize pack valued at over $450! The prize pack includes a SodaStream starter set, a Zagat Smartbox, 5 free reservations from Village Vines (a $50 value), a Williams-Sonoma Regional BBQ Sauce Set, the Craft Steak Sauce set, a Williams-Sonoma Steel Grill Wide Chef's Pan, and a 3-month subscription to ee cookies' Cookie of the Month Club. Amazing, right?! Here's how to enter:
- Leave a comment here letting us know what Father's Day gifts you plan to give or hope to receive this year (this part is mandatory).
- Want an extra entry? "Like" Macaroni Kid EATS! on Facebook by clicking here, and then leave a separate comment here letting us know you've done so.
- Want another extra entry? Follow @MacKidEats on Twitter and leave a separate comment here telling us that you've done so. Be sure to include your Twitter handle in the comment or it won't count!
- Want yet another extra entry (or two or three or twenty)? Get a friend to subscribe to Macaroni Kid EATS! and put your name in the "How did you hear about us?" field when signing up. You'll receive one extra entry for each friend you refer who puts your name in the "How did you hear about us?" field.
- You can only enter once via commenting regarding what Father's Day gift you plan to give or hope to receive, a second time via "liking" Macaroni Kid EATS! on Facebook and a third time via following @MacKidEats on Twitter, but there is no limit on the number of extra entries you can receive via referring new subscribers.
- You must be a Macaroni Kid EATS! subscriber to be eligible to win. Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up (it's free and you'll love it)!
- Please note that the SodaStream Starter set may only be shipped within the continental United States and the recipient of the SodaStream must have a valid street address for a UPS delivery (i.e., no P.O. or APO/FPO boxes).
- We'll use Random.org to draw one lucky winner from all eligible entries received by 5pm on June 28, 2011. No purchase necessary. Good luck!
