Is finding that perfect present for the food enthusiast who has everything putting a damper on your holiday cheer? Here's Eater LA's curated list of local gifts to make your days merry and bright.
Gjelina Cookbook
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One of the originators of the vegetable-centric small plates revolution, Gjelina is a restaurant wholeheartedly dedicated to its surroundings. Executive chef Travis Lett's homage to his city is filled with dreamy images of Venice and relatively advanced recipes suited for the effortlessly chic home cooks among us.
Price: $35
Where to Purchase: Amazon
Sqirl Jams
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Is there anywhere more hip than Silver Lake's beloved Sqirl? Feel like a hipster in your own home with Jessica Koslow's insanely delicious, seasonal jams cooked in those gorgeous copper pans, all packaged up in a handy box set. The fruits come from farms within a 350-mile radius of Sqirl's kitchen, which means you're really gifting a taste of Southern California.
Price: $25
Where to Purchase: Sqirl
Salt & Straw Sundae Kits
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Now that Salt & Straw is well on it's way to total domination in LA, you might as well enjoy one of the city's finest ice creams right in the comfort of your own home. But what's better than the scoop shop's holiday flavors like eggnog and peppermint cocoa? A full sundae kit full of Los Angeles-based treats like Sqirl's Santa Rosa plum and flowering thyme jam, Compartes pecan Love Nuts, and Rose Avenue Sweets Himalayan salted caramel corn. There's even a recipe included to make the ultimate Southern California ice cream masterpiece.
Price: $40, ice cream not included
Where to Purchase: Salt & Straw, online only beginning November 27
American Tea Room Classic Bento Box
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Tea aficionados and those interested in learning about the world of fine teas would be well served by American Tea Room's Classic Bento Box. Filled with eight beautiful, high-quality teas, a pyramid strainer, and plenty of information to keep you informed on what you're sipping, it's a classy gift for those with discerning palettes.
Price: $60
Where to Purchase: American Tea Room
Golden Road Gingerbread Stout Box
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These charming 16 oz cans come in festive boxes that make for the ideal host gift at any holiday party. This LA-brewed stout is full of gingerbread flavor, and is quite conducive to holiday cheer.
Price: $15
Where to Purchase: Golden Road and select local retailers
Crossroads Cookbook
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For vege-heads in your life, there's the Crossroads cookbook. The vegan tome by the executive chef of the eponymous restaurant on Melrose, Tal Ronnen's cookbook is full of sophisticated vegan recipes, everything from kale spanakopita to faux oysters, that even carnivores will love.
Price: $35
Where to Purchase: Amazon
Valerie Confections Fruit Cake
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Fruit cake has been in need of some serious reputation management. Thanks to LA's own Valerie Confections, fruit cake is a whole new kind of awesome. This one comes filled with white fig, golden raisins, pears, apples, blanched almonds, and a generous dousing of brandy. Forget re-gifting, you're going to want to keep this for yourself.
Price: $60
Where to Purchase: Valerie Confections
Three Jerks Jerky
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If the holiday season gives your sweet tooth a run for its money, there's Three Jerks Jerky, the fanciest take on the meaty treat you've (probably) ever come across. Made from filet mignon and all natural ingredients, it's the ideal gift for meat lovers and food snobs alike.
Price: 3 for $30
Where to Purchase: Three Jerks Jerky
Little Spoon Frozen Pudding
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Once upon a time, a local food writer and food stylist froze a leftover batch of their homemade banana pudding. The result wasn’t great, but after tinkering to get the perfect consistency, Little Spoon was born. Get the four most popular flavors of the perfect frozen treat, nana banana, coconut cream pie, campfire chocolate, and brown sugar vanilla, delivered right to your door.
Price: $16 plus delivery
Where to Purchase: Little Spoon
Junk in da Trunk Cookies
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It was a huge boon for Los Angeles when celebrated Miami pastry chef Hedy Goldsmith moved to town. Now Angelenos can get a taste of Goldsmith’s playful, retro-modern desserts like her Junk in da Trunk cookies. Loaded with bittersweet chocolate, crushed kettle potato chips, pretzels, and a variety candy bars, these cookies are the ideal treat for everyone on your nice list.
Price: $50
Where to Purchase: Sweet Hedy
Tripli-Kit's Dominik Woods Cutting Board
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Blending every day utility with artistry, Dominik Woods produces gorgeous handcrafted cutting boards right from its Los Angeles workshop. Seriously step up your cheese and crackers game with a birdseye maple cutting board that is hand sanded until stunningly smooth. Dominik Woods products can be purchased at Brooke Williamson’s Playa del Rey shop, Tripli-Kit.
Price: $140
Where to Purchase: Tripli-Kit
M Café Matcha Granola
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Looking to find just the right gift for the health nut on your list? Want to kick off your days with feel-good food before attacking the holiday cookie jar? Enter M Café's matcha granola. Packed with the green tea goods, Goji berries, and raisins, it's a tasty way to go guilt-free.
Price: $9.50
Where to Purchase: M Cafe, in-store only
Garibaldi Goods
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Looking to eat locally? Keep your loved ones' pantries stocked with a gorgeous array of California-made foodstuffs thanks to Garibaldi Goods, an online purveyor of curated, Golden State-born artisanal products. The large gift basket comes loaded with products like Scout olive oil, Semolina artisanal pasta, and Massey Honey Co. wildflower honey.
Price: $125
Where to Purchase: Garibaldi Goods
The Larder's Sunday Supper Basket
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For the classiest hostess gift, there's The Larder's Sunday Supper basket. Filled with a signed copy of Suzanne Goin's Sunday Suppers at Lucques cookbook, black rice, sherry vinegar, and Ortiz tuna, it's a fine way to thank those with the most refined of palettes.
Price: $77.50
Where to Purchase: The Larder at Burton Way
Solstice Canyon Almond Butter
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You've never really had nut butter until you've had Solstice Canyon's stone ground, unpasteurized offerings. Their handy gift trio comes with original, cardamom & clove, and Aztec chocolate flavors, all wrapped up in an undeniably cool box.
Price: $50
Where to Purchase: Solstice Canyon