It was designed by an experienced top chef, so you can be assured that this is the best way to prepare food in your kitchen.

Ingeniously, this combines a work surface, chopping board, ingredient storage and waste disposal all in one deliciously compact unit.The main body of  this work station is made from sustainable bamboo which has a natural ability to repel bacteria and resist cracks and stains. It’s also covered by a lifetime guarantee.

The food storage sections are plastic, which is vastly superior for food storage, and is BPA-free. Don’t you think this would inspire anyone to create wonderful meals? What a wonderful gift for the gourmet. See more at the link below.

See this food preparation station and ... Read More »]]> http://tastesmagazine.com/the-ultimate-food-preparation-station/feed/ 0 http://tastesmagazine.com/chocolate-gifts-with-a-difference/ http://tastesmagazine.com/chocolate-gifts-with-a-difference/#comments Thu, 13 Nov 2014 17:57:02 +0000 Jackie http://tastesmagazine.com/?p=5659 Chocolate is always delightful to receive. But this is even more the case when you receive gorgeous chocolates from the Astor Company. The full range includes many stylish products as well as novelty chocolates which make wonderful gifts – or a treat for yourself.

The Astor Chocolate Company has been in operation since 1950 and uses only the finest ingredients (including luscious Belgian chocolate) to produce a high quality gift. Scroll down to see a wonderful chess set -made of chocolate. What a perfect gift for a chess player.

They offer so many different services too including customised gifts that will always delight. Learn more about this long-established company, their history and products using the link below.

Click here to visit the site

This is so pretty

Everyone is crazy about crafts these days. In the last few years, our creative sides have really been expanding their horizons. Today, we hanker for homemade products. We enjoy the act of creation.

That’s why we’re so delighted to have found this brand new online store from the award winning Food52. You’ll find goods for the home, kitchen products and so many more delightful items that are wonderful additions to your home but also make excellent gifts.

We are in love with almost everything on the site. The craft kits are particularly intriguing though – make your own goods for the home, create authentic French bread, handmade soap, beer and even bacon. There are wonderful articles and tutorials too.

Take a look – you’ll love this site.

Click here to see more

Here’s a great example.

Firstly, it looks very elegant because they have designed it to be exactly the same as the original espresso coffee machines that sit on the hob to perform their magic.

Secondly, it makes the most delicious espresso ever!

Thirdly, it has a timer, so it will make your morning coffee while you sleep. It is as easy to set as an alarm clock, and if you want to sleep in, it will even keep your coffee warm!

I love waking up to the smell of fresh coffee don’t you? A wonderful gift idea.

Find out more here.

They say that France produces more cheeses than any other country but when I think about the wonderful country cheeses that are available from England I suspect that statistic isn’t fully accurate. England has a cheese-making history that goes back hundreds of years and produces marvels such as superior Stiltons to mature farmhouse Cheddars.

But this website offers so much more than cheeses. See delectable desserts, chutneys, chocolates and much more. You don’t need an excuse to have an English or British themed dinner party but next time there’s a royal milestone or event, celebrate in British style!

Shop now

Amazon.com Widgets

Mmm … who doesn’t love food? And I don’t know about you but that’s a problem for me. I find that the easiest way to ruin a diet – either simply eating healthier or a weight loss diet – is when I get the nibbles. We are almost hard-wired to snack these days and it’s so easy to reach for the wrong kind of food.

Having a good supply of fresh fruit in the house is one way to combat this problem but it’s not always practical. Not everyone can get to the store on a regular basis and fresh fruit can turn bad so quickly. But subscribe to this ‘snack club’ and you’ll have wonderful healthy nibbles delivered to your door every month.  This is a great idea for keeping your family healthy but what a ... Read More »]]> http://tastesmagazine.com/healthy-snacks-delivered-to-your-door/feed/ 0 http://tastesmagazine.com/stylish-delicious-cakes-order-online/ http://tastesmagazine.com/stylish-delicious-cakes-order-online/#comments Mon, 25 Aug 2014 06:24:49 +0000 Jackie http://tastesmagazine.com/?p=1388

Wow, just look at these wonderful cakes. On this fabulous site you’ll find cakes that are perfect for weddings, birthdays, holidays or for an elegant finale to a special meal or sophisticated dinner party. Most of these delectable cakes will serve a dozen people, so there’s plenty to go round.

You can order these cakes from a name you know and trust – Saks of Fifth Avenue, where only the best will do. Make a celebration into something truly special with one of these wonderful creations.

See this wonderful selection

No matter how much we enjoy other cuisines, I think that many of us admit that foods from France just have a special caché, flavor and unmistakable style that is missing from other country’s offerings. The finest cheeses, charcuterie, chocolates and more are all available to us all to buy online.

Gift baskets are available but you can also buy single items to make that special meal or party even more sophisticated. I’m strongly tempted to say that almost any specialty food can be bought at this wonderful website.

Read more

I know I can’t and yet it’s very rare that I’d buy it for myself. After all, I like to think that I’m eating healthily – most of the time. But what can I do it someone buys me some beautiful chocolate as a gift? Of course I can’t resist and this is what makes it such a special gift that’s suitable for almost everyone.

But this selection isn’t just featuring ordinary chocolates and candies – this range is truly sophisticated, stylish and decidedly delicious. They are also the ideal dessert to serve when you’re entertaining – no one wants to refuse the meal and accompaniments you have so carefully prepared and these delights are stylish enough for the most sophisticated dinner party, wedding or event. They also make welcome corporate gifts. What a treat!

See the entire delicious ... Read More »]]> http://tastesmagazine.com/chocolate-with-style-no-better-gift/feed/ 0 http://tastesmagazine.com/meat-naturally/ http://tastesmagazine.com/meat-naturally/#comments Tue, 22 Jul 2014 22:28:39 +0000 Jackie http://tastesmagazine.com/?p=5140

Recently we’ve been researching a question we’re often asked. ‘Where can I buy meat that is completely natural?’ And admittedly, it is difficult to come up with the answer. So many vendors have, to put it bluntly, leapt onto the bandwagon.

But happily, we have found a solution. It seems that every day there’s a new scandal or exposé about the food we eat. We all want to eat healthily but not everyone is prepared to adopt a vegetarian diet. But we all read so many horror stories about the meat industry.

It’s not just the hormones, the additives and the effects on the environment. There’s also the humane aspect  towards both the animals and the workers. The horror stories abound.

So is there such a thing as guilt-free meat eating? Indeed there is. If you’re looking for the best, the answer is ... Read More »]]> http://tastesmagazine.com/meat-naturally/feed/ 0 http://tastesmagazine.com/serve-afternoon-tea-from-harrods-of-london/ http://tastesmagazine.com/serve-afternoon-tea-from-harrods-of-london/#comments Tue, 22 Jul 2014 09:26:03 +0000 Jackie http://tastesmagazine.com/?p=862

There was a time when the highly prized branded goods from Harrods were only available to lucky Londoners or to tourists visiting Britain. (Doesn’t everyone visiting London go to Harrods?) But that was in the old days; today this prestigious store ships its luxury, branded goods worldwide. (Food items cannot be delivered to Australia and New Zealand however, but other purchases are fine).

The tea and the preserves that you see here represent only a fraction of the highest quality goods available. What wonderful gifts these items make – a true symbol of style.

Visit Harrods of London

Seriously. This is a wonderful gift or treat. (Scroll down to see a couple of the lobstermen). There are several places online that sell fresh and prepared lobster and this site does that too but in addition, you can have your own dedicated lobster trap, complete with its own fisherman, who will send you your own catch. But that’s not all.

You can order fresh lobster, or ready-prepared meals if you wish, plus all the other bits and pieces you’ll need. That’s an excellent idea for entertaining, for a romantic evening a deux or for a lovely luxury gift. If you join the ‘your own lobsterman’ program, you can have your catch sent to your home, next time as a gift, next time to a business colleague … whoever you choose. ... Read More »]]> http://tastesmagazine.com/the-ultimate-gift-your-own-maine-lobsterman/feed/ 0 http://tastesmagazine.com/culinary-classes-fabulous-locations/ http://tastesmagazine.com/culinary-classes-fabulous-locations/#comments Sun, 13 Jul 2014 20:04:52 +0000 Jackie http://tastesmagazine.com/?p=5049

There’s more to culinary classes and tours than simply ‘learning to cook’. These are social occasions plus, if you check these out, a wonderful way to travel and discover new cuisines.

All these classes take place in cities and  locations over America and include wonderful special culinary breaks in places you’ve always wanted to visit.

Spend time in New Orleans for example, learn the secrets of local cuisine, enjoy local restaurants and sightsee and enjoy the area at the same time.

These foodie travel ideas make wonderful gifts too.

Click here to learn more

Grilling classes

Are you a tea drinkers? Or maybe a collector of ceramics? These lovely items satisfy both interests. Available to buy online, these beauties feature a variety of styles to suit and home, or grace any collection. Many have glazes which are completely unique.

You’ll find Japanese styles – which are so very fashionable at the moment – plus European and traditional examples. You can also purchase tea and some lovely accessories to help you make the most of these delightful teapots and sets.

See the gorgeous selection here

The word is so often misused, don’t you agree? But when you buy online from the collection carefully curated by Saks of Fifth Avenue, you can be sure of sending a gift that will be truly appreciated by those who love the finer things in life.

Although I have shown chocolate here (which is definitely one of my passions) you will also find charcuterie, fine artisan cheeses, caviar, nuts, dried fruits and dipped strawberries (oops! Chocolate again!) And these beautiful gifts start at under $50. Click on the images or on the link below to see the full range of fine, top quality gourmet goodies.

See all gourmet gift baskets

Isn’t it excellent when you find a marvelous collection of curated items? And it’s even better when that collection has been put together by a group of people such as the talented stylists at Anthropologie. Known for their fabulous fashion and excellent taste, this retailer has searched for – and found – the very best in mouthwatering recipe books.

Many different types of recipes are featured as you can see here, from classic cocktails to tempting treats. Check the link below and you’ll see that a simple recipe book can be an art object in itself. I want all the books featured! On the site, you’ll be given tantalizing glimpses of the full color photography, the delicious recipes and the stylish typography and design.

See the gorgeous selection here