There Are Gifts That Are Worth It, I swear!

Here are a few of them...

My preferred method of gift giving is more of the random variety - I see something that makes me think of you and I give it to you! Maybe in the form of a tiny shell that I found or a cake that I baked (and only ate half of). These are spur of the moment love notes to people in my life and I feel as wonderful about being the giver of them as they feel as the receiver. This is sort of the benchmark for good gift giving in my world.

The oppressive feeling of having to give the gift really kills my vibe. Alas, the holiday season, in its condensed frenzied energy, calls for the exchange of goods and so I calmly oblige. Because when you do get that perfect gift for someone (if there is such a thing) and that person feels so seen by you, then the circle is complete and everyone can go to sleep. Here are a few of my hand selected gifts that I think will hit just right with someone you know and hopefully love.

these are a few of my favorite things, duh

For Coffee Lovers:
Trade

Udi (ie my left foot) subscribed to Trade, a coffee subscription, a couple of years ago and I have yet to drink a mediocre cup of coffee in our house since then. I love it for a few reasons. You set the tone of the subscription, like what style of beans you are drawn to (dark or light), flavor profiles you enjoy, your preferred extraction method, etc. They source the beans that match your interest like a matchmaker of caffeine. You arrange a delivery schedule that correlates to how you consume coffee (so no wasted product idling on your shelf) and you can adjust your choices as you go according to your taste. We have been able to sample a glorious number of small roasters from around the country that I now love and am thrilled to support. When all is said and done - this subscription also saves us money on what are generally pretty costly high quality beans. *The first bag is on Udi!

For Your Friends Who Host or Meet You at the Farmers Market:
Xenia Taler

This designer makes plates and bowls (made from recycled bamboo chopsticks and melamine) in truly rad prints/ colors that we use all the freaking time in our house. They are practical, indestructible, and light as a feather. We throw them in a tote bag for an impromptu picnic or stack a bunch outside when eating al fresco. Loosha eats off of them 99% of the time because she can pick the one she likes and carry it to the table all by her big-girl-self.

For Friends That Cook or Just Moved:
Diaspora Co

Boy, I could talk about these spices for a long-ass time. Diaspora Co. is woman owned and operated, ethically sourced and harvested, and has a mission statement that should be studied at business schools everywhere. Sana founded this company at 23 (!) and I doubt she has slept a single day since then. The spices are DIVINE. I’m talking vibrancy and richness and complexity you may have never experienced before. We buy the Aranya Black Pepper in bulk and they have a black pepper subscription (you can taste so many notes in these peppercorns it’s unreal on the tongue), and I will never use another turmeric after cooking with the Pragati Turmeric - which the website describes as deeply floral and I describe as deeply turmeric-y. Do yourself a favor and buy some for your own kitchen as well.

For Hummus Junkies:
Har Bracha Tahina

I have spoken many times before about my love of tahina and specifically of Har Bracha. What makes their product stand out (especially amongst the other brands I’ve tried stateside) is how fresh and nutty the flavors are, and how consistent the tahina texture itself is. When sesame is old it can taste bitter and a lot of tahina companies are known to use salt to mask the bitterness. Har Bracha is made in small batches from very high quality sesame seeds and I can taste that - which is why we often eat it straight out of the container in this house. If you know someone who already loves tahina, get them the best. Sadly, Amazon is the easiest way if you don’t live near an Israeli supermarket.

Friends That Cook But Seem Short On Time:
Oxo Mandoline

You need this tool. I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again - it will change your salad game and your vegetable game full stop. Can you gift other mandolines? Sure, you can send someone you know and love a more professional version with many settings and blade options and risk their literal life and limb. Because if you have ever messed around with a big mandoline it can be a very frightening tool (I’m looking at you, Andy). This version is easier to handle safely and takes the intimidation out of using one. Anyone you know can confidently slice vegetables like they are a prep cook on The Bear and the clock is ticking towards service.

Invited Somewhere and Don’t want to Bring Wine?
Hebel & Co Halva

Made in Los Angeles, this Halva is so freaking good I think it’s a no brainer. This stuff practically melts in your mouth in a dreamy way. I love the double chocolate flavor for munching on. I love baking with them all and I love just having their Halva on standby for the all-purpose need of something sweet in my life (but now clawing).

Friends Who Need New Knives (you know who they are because you have tried to cook dinner at their house and it’s a disaster with the knives):
Kiwi Knives

I have knives that cost $$$ and I have knives that are less expensive than a bag of chips. For my day to day cutting needs I tend to grab the less expensive knives. The reason being that they are sharp and easy to handle. They do the job at without asking much of me. I don’t have to be precious and I like how versatile they are. The price tag means you can easily gift them and know they will get used happily in any home. It’s not that I don’t also use my fancier knives, it’s just that the kiwi knife has become the workhorse in our kitchen and I’m totally okay with that.

For The Person Who is Always Cooking for You:
Calzuro Clogs

When I say these clogs changed my footwear game I mean it. Kitchen clogs were never actually my ‘thing’. I tried a bunch of different brands over the years and nothing ever worked for me. Instead, I defaulted to sneakers that were not only very much unsupportive, they were probably ruining my body. Then came Calzuros, the preferred clog of doctors and nurses in Italy. And who doesn’t love a Dr. recommended piece of footwear, especially from folks that are notoriously on their feet all day? These feel comfy right out of the box and you can literally throw them into the washing machine when they get dirty. *Pro tip: wear them with socks!

FOR EVERYONE and ANYONE !!!!!!!!
ZoëFoodParty Merchandise is HERE!!!!

Have you been waiting with bated breath for this one? Me too! But it’s finally starting. Now you can snag some gear designed with you in mind. I want us all decked out in ZFP gear to celebrate all the foodpartying we have done together and all the foodpartying we are destined to still do. This is just the first mini-collection to launch and there will be so much more to come. The t-shirts are meant to be worn baggy and comfy (I like to size up for Tees), the totes are a no brainer, the kids t-shirt is so good I’m working on one for adults as we speak (and a sweatpants version for us as well, squuueeeee!!!). AND SHIPPING IS FREE ! Go to town and let me know what you think!!

Paid subscribers get a first time discount on me as a thank you for the incredible showing of love and support this newsletter has provided (Scroll down). Oh, and…