622985 Wed May 27 10:51:34 -0700 2009 10 27 General Chowhounding Topics 0 4719024 Not sure if I'm posting this on the right board, but my best friend recently started a culinary program and is finally pursuing his dreams after years in the high tech business. His birthday is coming up, and I wanted to get him a gift that's around $50. I've given him lots of wines in the past and also given him a bacon of the month subscription, and I'll be taking him to dinner, too. Any ideas on culinary tools or food essentials that I can get him? Thanks! Wed May 27 10:51:34 -0700 2009 126639 marilees 1 4719219 I'd suggest a high quality tourne (bird's beak) knife and a microplane. http://www.jbprince.com/CB7B80E2EC9B4151A6774CFBA9BD480E.asp?p_key=639E4579629D4EC085F2399397A35A74&keyword=microplane&catname=&skeyword=1&ppage=1&pc_key=&nm=&spath=&path=&cat_id=545F96C713344B04AB9D91560F0D09B3&retpage=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jbprince.com%2F33962883CB4746D1BE511C0E1252C63D.asp&product_class= http://www.jbprince.com/wusthof-german-cutlery/peeling-knife-275-inch.asp or a subscription to "Art Culinaire" http://www.getartc.com/ Wed May 27 11:45:22 -0700 2009 4719024 102066 almansa 2 4729014 I second the knives. Nothing makes me happier than good knives. Conversely, nothing pains me more than cooking in a kitchen with lousy knives. Sat May 30 20:23:30 -0700 2009 4719219 134437 salsailsa 1 4720264 We sometimes donate back issues of various food/cooking magazines to the local culinary school and the students are SO grateful and enthusiastic. For $50 you could get multiple years or multiple magazines. Wed May 27 17:29:39 -0700 2009 4719024 19003 PAO 1 4720316 "Herings Dictionary of Classical and Modern Cookery", unbeleivable and indispensible reference book for anyone serious about professional cooking. ISBN 3-8057-0244-2 Wed May 27 17:41:15 -0700 2009 4719024 140140 mrbigshotno.1 1 4723344 A really good bottle of balsamic vinegar; a 5 lb. hunk of Callebaut chocolate; a subscription to an organic food box for a few months; a lb. or so of vanilla beans - basically some lavish ingredient that he might not buy for himself. I wouldn't get any "tools" because I suspect he probably already has what he likes to use OR knows exactly what he wants when he's ready to buy it. Thu May 28 16:47:48 -0700 2009 4719024 12383 Nyleve 1 4724173 All Clad 10 inch sautee pan. It will cost a little more than $50 but it is worth it. You can never have too many pans. Thu May 28 23:54:19 -0700 2009 4719024 146405 stricken 1 4725001 Or a gift card to the local restaurant supply store, gourmet store, or wine shop. I also recommend a copy of "Heat (An Amateur's Adventures as Kitchen Slave, Line Cook, Pasta-makeer, and Apprentice to a Dante-quoting Butcher in Tuscany" by Bill Buford. VERY entertaining!! Fri May 29 08:57:54 -0700 2009 4719024 322300 Michelly 1 4725832 You can get a Thermapen for around $70. It's a wonderful tool. Fri May 29 13:02:57 -0700 2009 4719024 89493 scubadoo97 1 4727115 Thanks, everyone, for all these great suggestions! I have a couple weeks to go, and I'll let you know what I decide on. Fri May 29 21:56:30 -0700 2009 4719024 126639 marilees 1 4727361 A copy of McGee or Larousse. http://www.amazon.com/Food-Cooking-Science-Lore-Kitchen/dp/0684800012/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1243685818&sr=1-1 http://www.amazon.com/Larousse-Gastronomique-Jenifer-Lang/dp/0517570327/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1243685625&sr=1-4 Sat May 30 05:16:34 -0700 2009 4719024 253154 Fritter