Holiday Gifts for the Rhode Island Foodie

December 5, 2022

Shop local? We live the shop local mantra at Rhode Island Red Food Tours as we consistently shop at local shops and markets, and from our food tour partners. When we shop local, we keep dollars in our local economy, which boosts the bottom line of mom-and-pop owners who are our friends and neighbors. 

We’ve curated a gift guide for the foodies in your life with some of our favorite finds! But don’t forget our Food Tours make great gifts too!

Rhode Island Red Food Tour: Gift certificates

STOCK CULINARY: CAST IRON COOKWARE BY NEST

Rhode Island’s own Matt Cavallaro merges his passion for artistry and metals by handcrafting smooth surfaced, heirloom quality cast iron cookware that is meant to last for a lifetime. A RISD grad who launched the business in 2013, Cavallaro’s pieces are like art on your table, with ergonomic handles and beautiful detail. These pieces are the best of the best and ideal for the avid cook in your life

UTILITY: EVERYBODY GRINDER

The newest kitchen retail shop to come to Rhode Island is not like any other. You’ll know the moment you walk in the door that this is not a quick trip. Whether your a professional chef looking for the best bread knife or you just can’t help yourself from picking up the coolest new gadgets or you simply need some retail therapy, UTILITY will fill all those needs and wants. Like these fabulous Salt & Pepper Grinders designed by Ellen Van Dusen, inspired by the brain’s reaction to color, movement, and contrast. I assure you, you won’t find anything here on Amazon, this is a fun and carefully curated store of kitchen curiousities made by artistisans from Brooklyn to Austria.

Some of the gifts of the season are right here because everyone from the professional & at-home chefs to the hostess to the casual cook will love it!

Beehive Handmade: Pewter Measuring Spoons or Coffee Scoop

Be warned: the moment you step into Beehive Handmade’s studio in Warren, Rhode Island, you might have a hard time shopping for others as you’ll want to take home everything for yourself. Since 1999, the Water Street studio has produced modern and classic home goods, custom engraved jewelry, pewter holiday ornaments, and personalized baby gifts to be enjoyed for a lifetime. The studio shop is also conveniently available online as well. 

On our last visit, we fell for the precious pewter measuring spoons inspired by traditional, New England style (with a pinch of minimalism added in for good measure). The set includes one tablespoon hand cast from lead free pewter in their original mold, one teaspoon, 1/2 teaspoon, and 1/4 teaspoon.

Our other favorite gift is a lovely coffee scoop for the java junkie in your life. These are a few to choose from but we can’t help but love this fanciful one with a bird design. Your giftee will think of you every time they make their morning joe. 

Borealis Coffee: Five Bag Coffee Sampler

There’s a reason Borealis Coffee Roastery and Café in Riverside, Rhode Island, the Borealis Coffee Company near the East Bay Bike Path in Bristol, and the roastery (with some retail) in Pawtucket, has a cult following. With their brew being served at nearly a dozen popular cafes and eateries throughout Rhode Island, Borealis sets itself apart with seriously savory java. For the coffee lover in your life, go big or go home with the five-bag sampler. 

Leave it to the pros and have the Borealis team choose five favorites to go in this sampler. 

Wald & Sea: Cutting/Charcuterie Boards

One of the most beautiful gifts for the charcuterie enthusiast in your life is a handcrafted board for displaying their talents. Wald & Sea on Newport’s Spring Street has a stunning array of charcuterie and cutting boards in a variety of sizes from Mosaic Woodworks, also based in Newport, made from sustainably sourced hardwoods, so no two are alike.   

Homestyle: The Charcuterie Essentials Kit

Okay, so you got the charcuterie board (see above!), but you want to take it to the next level? Enter The Charcuterie Essentials Kit from Homestyle, the longtime Westminster Street shop known for its one-of-a-kind card selection of innovative decor, art from around the globe, jewelry crafted from precious metals or found objects, clever books, stylish accessories, and a few whimsical finds for kids. 

A great gift for foodies everywhere, this Charcuterie Essentials Kit includes three different meat and cheese knives and comes in a cardboard box. The interior features a description of each knife and when to use them and a guide to creating your charcuterie board.

Ink Fish Books in Warren: An Irreverent Guide by Anthony Bourdain

Danger: when you go to Ink Fish Books in Warren, you can get in trouble. It’s palpable charms can easily turn your “just running in” outing into and hours-long experience because their carefully curated selection of books and cool things seems endless.

For the wanderlust wanderer in your life with a taste for food and culture (you know…like food tour people!!!), we suggest World Travel: An Irreverent Guide by Anthony Bourdain. The beloved and sorely missed chef-turned-global explorer has tales to tell and he saved them for this book which any reader, adventurer or culinarian will love.  Consider this a lifelong guide to some of the world’s most fascinating places, as seen and experienced by writer, television host, and relentlessly curious traveler.

Groundswell Table & Provisions: Selections from The Free Spirits Company

Insider’s tip: before you explore the campus of the Groundswell mini-empire at Tiverton’s Four Corners, properly nourish yourself with one of the cafe’s expertly foamed lattes and perhaps a savory pastry or unbelievable croque monsieur. Once properly sustained, head to the neighboring Garden & Home Shop where you’ll find gift inspiration galore.

Our suggestion for everyone’s liquor cabinet today: one of the many selections from The Free Spirits Company. For your favorite friend who wants to feel like they are part of the party and likes to create cocktails without the booze, there’s non-alcoholic gin, tequila and “milano,” which is the company’s answer to aperol. What a concept!

Rhed’s Hot Sauce: The 3-Pack Hot Sauce Gift Set

So we told you all about Rhed’s in our last blog post on great food and drink gifts with Rhode Island roots, but we want to take a moment to wax poetic about the Rhed’s hot sauce 3-pack. The perfect gift for the friend or family member who loves hot sauce, well on everything, you can even play your own version of Hot Ones!

Order online or visit the Farm Fresh/Sims Market in Providence. The set includes three 5 oz. bottles of hot sauce of your choosing (or leave it to the pros to pick) packaged in a decorative gift box with artwork by local Rhode Island artist Ashley Van Etten of Willywaw.

Wickford Gourmet Factory Outlet: The thing you didn’t know someone needed 

Some people are not easy to shop for – fact. But it seems like the Wickford Gourmet Factory Outlet has what you didn’t even know you were looking for. Folding omelet pan? They have it. Cool textiles? A ton. Glassware? Yep. The perfect platter? 100%. Cool cookie molds? But, of course. Just go to this interesting emporium right on Main Street in charming Wickford Village.

Queen of Hearts: Rainbow Fish Dinner Plate

Queen of Hearts owner Karen Beebe is known as a leading tastemaker in Rhode Island, and her keen eye for fashion and style has poured over into her shop’s unique finds. We adore this Earthenware freehand-painted rainbow fish dinner plate by Sobremesa by Greenheart, a fair-trade lifestyle brand.

Our gift suggestion: stack the plate with a selection of Italian holiday cookies from nearby Scialo Bros Bakery (founded in 1916!): wrap, add a bow, and voila!

Hawt Chocolates:  Artisan made Bonbons

Want to make an impression with your Christmas or holiday gift (hello boss, colleagues or clients)? Check out these artisan made bonbons that are almost too beautiful to devour! Hawt Chocolates founder Miguel Allis, who is from Mexico City but now calls Rhode Island home, created these gastronomic gems to give people comforting food experiences, the same way food has always linked him to his homeland, his family and warm memories. (Fun Fact:  ‘Hawt’ started as an acronym for ‘Having a Wonderful Time.’)

Flavors include eggnog (spiced eggnog ganache in a white chocolate shell), cranberry and dark cherry, whiskey caramel, salted caramel, hazelnut praline, and of course, Rhode Island coffee milk. Order now for shipping before Christmas!

Craftland: Ceramic Bowls by Michelle Phaneuf

Is it even a Rhode Island gift guide if Craftland isn’t included?  This landmark art & gift boutique emporium in the heart of Downcity Providence has an expertly curated collection from local makers and artisans including the collection of beautiful Rhode Island bowls made from white stoneware clay by lauded ceramic artist Michelle Phaneuf.

Each bowl boasts a hand applied and kiln fired custom decal with a Rhode Island icon. Some include and anchor, Providence Bridge, Beavertail, the Providence Power Plant and more.  Take a closer look here.

FROG & TOAD: STONEWARE BAKE DISHES

When your looking for those quirky novelty gifts if your a Rhode Islander you know, Frog & Toad is the only place to go. For those holiday festivities that require you to bring that 3 Bean Casserole Family Recipe, bring it in style with these sweet handstamped stoneware bake dishes to set off the table.

We hope we helped you with some of your holiday shopping for the season! What a great way to get in the holiday spirit by starting the celebrations this season supporting these small mom & pop businesses and gifting unique gifts not found on Amazon!🎄🎁🎄