Down South Gift-Giving Guide for Foodies & Drinkies

Down here we love to cook. Almost as much as we love to drink! Give us a chance and we'll incorporate both into any event that we can!

This list is a compilation of my greatest holiday gift-giving hits for people who enjoy crafting both great food and drink.

Great Books:

The Encyclopedia of Cajun & Creole Cuisine by John Folse
$70
Folse is a renowned southern writer and chef, and in his best-selling work, he takes you through the ins and outs of crafting classic southern cuisine. An absolute must for any gourmet chef (or wannabe) in your life.

   

But Always a Fine Bourbon by Sally Van Winkle Campbell
$75
A lovely pictorial jaunt through the history of one of the world's most famous distilleries. A gorgeous table book that also gives great insight into the inner-workings of the First Family of Bourbon.




Cooking in High Cotton by The Junior League of Monroe

$25

A southern gal's best friend, Junior League cookbooks are the gold standard for regional specialties. This one is a delicious and sumptuous production for all senses. If you're looking for Aunt So-and-so's best recipe for Cream Puffs, look no further. 

Gifts for Grub:

Cellar Salt Co. Gulf Sea Salt

$9 for 1.4oz jar

A small chef/owner run salt company based in Lafayette, LA that specializes in sea salt from the Gulf. On occasion the company also produces specialty salts from other regions that they fancy, such as oyster beds.

Holiday Fried Pecans

$8 for 1/4lb sack

Brainchild of Keith Holiday and based on a rediscovered family recipe, this sweet, salty, crispy treat is the perfect snack as you await the Christmas dinner to finish cooking. Fantastic for cooking, and great alone, these pecans are 100% organically farmed in Colfax, Louisiana by the Holiday family.

The Oyster Bed Oyster Plate
$70 for Half-Dozen (Le Petite) plate
Developed by an idea hatched over seafood and family, this item was specially designed and crafted by legendary forgery Wilton Armetale. The resulting plate is light, durable, and can withstand temperatures of 1000 degrees. Plus, and proceeds from each sale go to directly repairing oyster habitats in the Gulf. Did I mention they are also gorgeous pieces of work?!

For your Special Sippers:

Garden and Gun Mercantile Co. Stirrers (Horse or Dog sets of 10)

$20

Add a bit of whimsy to your next stirred (not shaken) cocktail with these whimsical sets of horse or dog cocktail stirrers. Each is different, so choose your steed wisely! This cute gift can turn any day into derby day.

Rhino Coffee 1lb Bags (rotating selection)
$12.99/lb
Rhino coffee is a small independent coffee house and roaster established in Shreveport, LA. The blends are diverse and delicious, and bring out the long history of coffee's journey to the American south from the "horn" of Africa.

Pink House Alchemy Infused Syrups and Shrubs

$13/16oz

A curious offshoot from the University of Arkansas Food Science program, these lovely flavorful cocktail mixers fill an important niche in the southern booze-scape. Our current favorite is the Blood Orange & Clove simple syrup. Their line-up is delightfully seasonal, so there's always something new.