Holiday gift guide for the foodie in your life

There are tons of options for holiday gifts for the food lovers in your life. Many of them can even be found right in our own backyard of Tampa.

Check out the farmers’ markets for local food treasures from pasta to sauces to fresh honey. Farmers’ markets are really growing in Tampa Bay, it seems like almost every neighborhood on both sides of the Bay has one; from downtown Tampa’s weekly market on Fridays to St. Pete’s Saturday Morning Market to Seminole Heights’ monthly market on the second Sunday of the month and many more.

When strolling the markets, check out Brimstone Originals for their award-winning Bleu Heat dressing and dip and their pepper jellies.

Another market staple is Intensity Academy Gourmet and Hot Sauce Company. Pick up a bottle, or two or five of these all natural sauces, which have won 40 national awards including their Chai Chipotle Chup, which was named the #1 ketchup in the nation by the 2010 Scovie Awards, which is like the Academy Award for ketchups. Check out their Facebook page to see all their products. You can order from there or via their Web site.

Eden’s Nectar offers raw, seasonal honey. They even offer a little sampler pack, which is perfect for gifts. Visit their Web site to order online or check out which local stores and markets you can find them at next.

For the coffee lover in your life check out Buddy Brew Coffee, a local company that imports some of the best coffee beans from all over the world and then roasts them in-house. Buy online or check out their shop on West Kennedy Blvd.

Kitchen gadgets make great stocking stuffers. Check out The Rolling Pin Emporium in Brandon. They have all the latest and coolest gadgets the professionals use. They also offer cooking classes almost daily. Pick up a gift card that can be used towards merchandise or a cooking class.

Want to make your gift extra special? Put together a basket. Find a pretty basket and fill it with special gifts such as a person’s favorite bottle of wine and a pair of wine glasses; a bag of coffee, biscotti and mugs; hot sauces and tortillas for a homemade taco kit; packages of pasta and a jar of marinara sauce presented in a colander; a cute apron, cookbook and kitchen gadgets for the home cook; homemade cookies and chocolate for those with a sweet tooth or an endless other possibilities. 

Homemade gifts come from the heart and can also be quite economical. Make a batch of pesto or tapenade to jar, fresh cookies to place in a holiday tin or assemble a handy soup-in-a-jar or cookies-in-a-jar kit.

With any of these gift ideas, you’re sure to receive a reputation for best gift giver.