Playlist #17: Last Minute Gifts!

As we slip into the months-long spell of short days, cold weather and inescapable holiday music, I try to remind myself of the bright side of wintertime (yes, there are plenty of things to appreciate!): cozying up by a fire, soup season, cookie swaps and of course, the warm feeling of finding the perfect present for someone I love. And while your inbox is undoubtedly already brimming with gift guides, here’s an extra special one featuring food-centric baubles I curated just for you, my fellow JSC aficionado.


P.S. Don’t forget those shipping deadlines!


By: Kourtney Paranteau

1. Hometown Hero 

Whether you’re in Hillsboro, Oregon shopping for a tree or enjoying a famous Helvetia Tavern burger, we recommend making a side quest to the city’s hidden jewel, Helvetia Farm Market. You can stock up on locally crafted goodies to hide under your aforementioned tree and get yourself a little treat from their cafe or bar while you’re at it. But don’t leave without the market’s main offerings: fresh produce and pasture-raised meats sourced from their farm — both of which I’ll be featuring front and center at my holiday table.

2. Long Distance Crush

If you’re the kind of shopper who’s easily overwhelmed, you might have to pinch yourself after checking out A Pinch of Pepper. This one-stop shop that feels too good to be true is the place to find a gift for everyone on your list, from the tinned fish enthusiast to the expert baker. Colorful brands like Spicewalla, Primary Beans and Fishwife are just a few of their offerings that are as eye-catching as they are mouth-watering.

3. Beverage Pairing

Pour some holiday spirit and gift the craft cocktail devotee in your life Straightaway’s stunning, and equally cute, 12 Nights of Cocktails, featuring a dozen of the brand’s ready-to-drink beverages, like Thai Gimlet, Oregon Old Fashioned and, my go-to order, Espresso Martini. For a week and a half, your favorite drinking buddy can enjoy a nightcap, which beats a carton of eggnog any day.

4. Pantry Pal 

Move over Willy Wonka, not even Timothee can sway me from my latest chocolatier discovery! Seattle-based company, Spinnaker Chocolates, can sweeten your giftee’s pantry with their nibs, spreads, drinks and 70% Madagascar Chocolate featuring some familiar salt flakes. They also offer pre-selected gift sets ranging from $40-$50 to take the guesswork out of satiating cacao lovers. But let’s be honest, no matter what, you can never go wrong with the gift of chocolate.

5. Reading Material

Give the baker in your life a gentle push to step out of their cookie comfort zone and learn from Benjamina Ebuehi’s dessert-focused volume, I’ll Bring Dessert. Cleverly arranged in categories of cravings like “something fruity”, “chocolatey”, “creamy” and “nutty”, Ebuehi’s recipes are luxurious yet approachable. With her prep (make a day ahead!) and transportation tips (bring your sheet pie in its pan and reheat!), there’s a level of accessibility in the book’s presentation that, though beautiful, is never pretentious.

6. Entertainment

 A JSC Playlist first, I’m inducting Overcooked into the canon of food-related recreations. As if the holidays weren’t stressful enough, this beloved video game finds itself somewhere between the likes of Animal Crossing and our favorite show, The Bear. In it, players pick an adorable avatar and assume the role of a line cook at a fast-paced restaurant and work either alongside each other or as competitors (that’s where the real fun begins) assembling virtual dishes. Trust us, it’s a game you’ll love to hate, or is it vice versa?

7. Merch

On my recent trip to Phoenix, Arizona, I came across Monsoon Market and was transported to a too-cool wonderland brimming with Baggu, natural wine, mood gummies (plus plenty of other snacks), every cookbook I've been coveting and of course, merch. The store's on-point swag is what I’ll be sending the hippest person on my list: a chocolate bucket hat, classic tote, graphic tee, and my favorite, a babydoll shirt all featuring different designs to signal to your foodie friends that your knowledge of cool, snacky places extends past state borders.

8. Equipment

When I’m gifting kitchenware to any well-seasoned cook, I find myself worrying about taking up counter space or, worse yet, supplying them with something they already have. With Nordic Ware’s Cheese Melting Dome, I can confidently arm their kitchen with a niche item they’re likely unaware of and can store discreetly in their cabinets. Applicable for both stovetop and grilling purposes, the dome makes sure that the cheese atop their dishes achieves peak gooeyness.

9. One of Our Own

The best things come in threes: TLC group members, installments of Richard Linklater’s “Before” series and now, JSC’s products. But since they know everyone’s palates (and pantries) vary, they’re leaving the fun part to you! You can hand-pick a trio of their infused salts and raw honey to gift the person in your life who deserves to spice up their cooking routine in the new year. And if you’re someone who dreads wrapping, each trio comes delivered in a beautiful gift-ready box.