Brad Leone’s Very Specific Holiday Gift Guide 2018
There’s a new holiday tradition in my life, and it comes with an open door policy. Starting at 11 a.m. on Christmas Day, friends, family, whoever, is welcome to swing on through my place—I’ll be cooking and drinking from morning till night. This year it’s looking like bagels and smoked salmon, Island Creek oysters, and a big five-bone dry-aged ribeye steak from Snake River Farms, along with some really awesome low ABV beers that I’ve been stockpiling for some all-day drinking.
What hasn’t changed, though, is what happens before then: present time. And if your routine is anything like my family's, then I know what a high-stakes moment it can be. So whether you’re looking to give or receive, I’m here to share some advice. Think of the stuff below as my ultimate wish list—a mix of products that I use (and beat up) in my daily life working in the BA Test Kitchen and shooting It’s Alive!, and those special pieces that I cherish for their craftsmanship. Either way, it’s all stuff I’ve tried, tested, and stand behind. This is the stuff that I can’t live without. This holiday, you and yours won’t have to either.
Photo Courtesy of Luscious Porcelain1/17The Crock
Boy, do I love a good crock! There’s always lots of kraut and miso to be made, and this beautiful stoneware vessel from Luscious Porcelain is as much a ceramic work of art as it as a practical tool. Just because we’re doing some controlled rotting doesn't mean we need it to look bad. This one really does stand out on the counter.
Buy it: Luscious Porcelain Locavore Fermentation Crock, $140 at Luscious Porcelain
Photo by Alex Lau2/17The Pocket Knife
I’ve had this Japanese knife in my pocket for years. It’s long and sharp enough to cut a steak, and elegant enough to carry around all day and forget about it.
Buy it: Shun DM5900 Higo Nokami Personal Folding Stainless Steel Steak Knife, $100 on Amazon
Photo by Alex Lau3/17The Olive Oil
Get some good olive oil and use it! Yes you can cook with it and yes you can eat it with a spoon. I’m in love with extra virgin olive oil, and these three—from Il Cavallino, Castillo de Canena, and Cobram Estate—are excellent. Warning: Once you start using the good stuff, it’s hard to use anything else.
Buy it: Il Cavallino Extra Virgin Olive Oil, $60 at Aha Life
Buy it: Castillo de Canena First Day Harvest Picual, $40 on Amazon
Buy it: Cobram Estate California Extra Virgin Olive Oil, from $13 at Cobram Estate
Photo by Alex Lau4/17The CBD Drops
Life's tough on the body and I’m a big fan of preventive maintenance. Put a little of these CBD drops in a drink and help balance things out—if you're into that. The folks at Plant People have a culinary background, so they get how it works for cocktails and other food applications. (They make a great olive oil too.) Plus, they care about the environment; they’re in it for the right reasons.
Photo Courtesy of Yeti5/17The Bag
Yeti is known for its coolers but its Panga 75 duffle bag is one of the best things I own. It’s waterproof and tough—a total workhorse. You gotta have good gear when traveling; this has become my go-to checked bag, no matter the destination.
Buy it: Yeti Panga 75 Duffel, $350 from Moosejaw
Photo by Alex Lau6/17The Cutting Board
Stop cutting on a glass or bamboo cutting board and invest in a nice, handmade hardwood one. The boards from Brooklyn Butcher Blocks use quality woods and great craftsmanship. As a woodworker, myself I can appreciate the finer details. Pro tips: Go for an end-grain board, it’s better for the longevity of your knife. And, don’t forget to wash and dry both sides—the wood will warp if you don’t.
Buy it: Brooklyn Butcher Blocks End Grain Walnut Butcher Block, $200 from Brooklyn Butcher Blocks
Photo by Alex Lau7/17The Knife
A good knife is an essential tool in the kitchen, but when you get one handmade, it becomes something special. Don’t get me wrong: I’m not about making something that’s just pretty and fancy. If it’s not functional, I don’t care what it looks like. Fell Knives gets that balance right. Treat it well, and it can last many lifetimes. I dig that.
Buy it: Fell Knives 8-inch Chef’s Knife, from $125 at Fell Knives
Photo by Alex Lau8/17The Knife Sharpener
Speaking of knives… Learn to sharpen your own! It’s worth it, and it’s very satisfying. I even find it to be meditative. This kit designed by legendary knife maker Bob Kramer will definitely set you up right. It’s easy to start, but you’ll need practice, so don’t start with your best knife.
Buy it: ZWILLING J.A. Henckels 6-Piece Glass Water Stone Sharpening Set, $300 on Amazon
Photo by Alex Lau9/17The Honey
I love honey, and this manuka from Activist in New Zealand is something special. I feel like Winnie-the-Pooh while spooning it into my mouth. It’s a real treat to eat and has great health benefits. (I give the 850+ to my kids. It’s like medicine.) Keep it raw, since heat will remove all those good properties—this is definitely not something to stir into your tea! Leave it in the fridge and it gets like toffee. The texture is insane!
Buy it: Activist Raw Mānuka Honey Box Set Trio, $150 at Activist
Photo by Alex Lau10/17The After-Dinner Drink
When cherry wine is good, it’s great, and the guys at Frederiksdal are nailing it. Rancio (which means “Rancid” in Catalan) is the perfect little dessert wine that won't let ya down, with lots of complex cherry, orange, fig, and nut notes. Hanging out by the fire, sipping on it after dinner—it all feels very Danish. It drinks like a port, so you can keep it around for a while without having to down it all in one sitting.
Photo Courtesy of Juvale11/17The Steamer
Steam. More. Food. I’m in love with bamboo steamers. You can stack ‘em up and make a whole meal over one pint of water. It’s super efficient and a great weeknight thing, or any time really. Fish, chicken, veggies. It’s a really healthy, clean, fast way to cook and eat.
Photo by Alex Lau12/17The Salad Bowl
I know quality woodwork when I see it, and too many people don’t have the good stuff. That’s why I love beautifully crafted pieces from artisans I respect, like this walnut serving bowl from designer Scott Alexander of Warren, PA. It sure ain’t cheap, but quality, handmade things shouldn’t be.
Buy it: Alexander Designs Walnut Bowl, $289 at Alexander Designs
Photo by Alex Lau13/17The Watch
I’ve recently become a watch guy, and the ones from Hook & Gaff are great for me: They’re made to take a beating and be around the sea, but they’re nice enough to wear with a suit (I love me some leather). I don’t like big, clunky watches and these are so lightweight that they practically disappear on your wrist.
Photos Courtesy of Filson14/17The Jacket
If there’s one kind of jacket that I love the most, it’s a non-flashy, well-thought out raincoat. This Filson jacket has lots of pockets—big cargo ones in front; a convenient, quick-access one in the zipper line—which is perfect for when I’m on the go. Plus, it can take a beating and it only adds character! The wool liner zips in and out, making it adaptable for warmer weather too.
Photo Courtesy of General Admission15/17The Shirt
I’m from New Jersey, but man, I swear in another life I lived in California. I really dig the style the guys at General Admission have. Their shirts fit well, they feel great on, and I like their subtle branding so I don’t feel like a walking bulletin board. Overall cool surfer vibe. I dig it.
Buy it: General Admission Pique L/S Polo, $85 at General Admission
Photo Courtesy of Edgevale16/17The Pants
I was a carpenter before I came to Bon Appétit, and Edgevale makes the best pants I’ve ever owned. Period! Made from canvas, they’ve got a comfortable fit and a durable build, yet they’re classy enough to wear out to dinner, no problem.
Photo by Alex Lau17/17The Gloves
These gloves are not for a fancy winter wedding, but if your going ice fishing or shoveling the driveway, these bad boys are the gloves to get. I picked them up at a gas station while I was crabbing in Alaska and I’ll never not own a pair now. They’re warm as hell, and way more comfortable than any of that Gore Tex stuff, which feels like wearing friggin boots on your hands.
Buy it: Showa Atlas 460 Vinylove Cold Resistant Insulated Gloves, $14 at Amazon
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