Christmas shopping can be nerve-wracking, especially when you are running low on gift ideas. For those on your list that love cooking and eating, look no further. Brooklyn is the heart of the new foodie movement, with great communities and classes sure to impress any foodie on your gift list.
1. Cooking Classes at The Brooklyn Kitchen
For the foodies in your life, sign them up for a cooking class at The Brooklyn Kitchen, located in Williamsburg. Prices vary, but generally range from $40 to $150. Your options include classes on Homebrewing Beer, Wine Pairings, Mozzarella, and Baking Your Own Sourdough. This is the most perfect, thoughtful gift for those who are culinarily curious. And if the classses are too ambitious or expensive, The Brooklyn Kitchen also offers gift cards.
2. A Slice of Brooklyn Tour
roadfood.com
If you have a friend or loved one who's new to Brooklyn, a fun gift (that you should also sign up for yourself -it'll be better if you do it together) is A Slice of Brooklyn Tour. It might seem cheesy (pun intended), but this tour of the best Pizza in Brooklyn is a lot of fun. Buses leave from Manhattan. The Pizza Tour costs $75, but that includes two slices of Pizza and a soft drink at every pizzeria on the itinerary.
3. Membership to the Park Slope Co-Op
brownstoner.com
For your pals in Park Slope, there's nothing better than a membership to the Food Co-op. Not only will they get great deals on fresh produce, the Co-Op is a great way for them to get involved with the community. The joining fee is only $25. Do consider, however, that the person in question will have to put in some volunteer work at the Co-Op, so this gift is only appropriate for those interested in food and sustainable, organic farming.
4. Cheese Classes at Stinky Cheese
allotment.org.uk
Making cheese sounds impossible and weird, but Stinky Brooklyn in Carroll Gardens wants to convince you otherwise. Not only do they offer classes on how to make cheese, they also feature classes on different wine and cheese pairings. The classes cost about $40 each. If you've got someone on your list that loves wine and cheese - these classes make for a great gift.
5. Tour Mast Brothers Chocolate
dossierjournal.com
Located in Williamsburg, Mast Brothers Chocolate is its very own chocolate factory and chocolate shop. Take a tour of the facility for $9.99 per person - sign yourself and a friend up as a gift (book now, reservations go quickly). Better yet, make sure to buy them all the chocolate bars that their little heart desires at the end of the tour. Merry Christmas indeed. Or, if you're not into the tour idea, buy a collection of all ten of their chocolate bars for $80.
6. Wine Classes at Brooklyn Winery
penhall.co.uk
The recently opened Brooklyn Winery in Williamsburg offers wine making classes. What better gift for your wine connoisseur? This is much fancier, pricier gift option for someone very special. Prices range from $3,550 to $5,700--but at the end of the day you get to take home 1/2 to a full barrel of wine! Wine that you made. Pretty impressive.