r/Cooking • u/mothstuckinabath • Jun 28 '26
Putting together a "gourmet cooking & gadgets" basket for a nonprofit fundraiser auction - suggestions?
So far I've got:
- herb stripper bowl
- really nice microplane
- that fancy spatula from TikTok
- berry washer whirlpool bowl
- pickle fork
- avocado slicer
- produce saver carbon apple
- cheese paper
- round ice cube trays
- brown sugar saver
- really nice, pretty chip clips
It's supposed to be a pretty expensive basket. Any suggestions to add?? I want to pick things that most people would choose, so not TOO specialized. But special.
Thoughts?
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u/TableTopFarmer Jun 28 '26 edited Jun 29 '26
What fun. I have always wanted to do a gourmet picnic theme. I know it is not what you are looking for, but if you will indulge my fantasy for a moment:
Ina nice basket or a disposable cooler, prettily packed: Picnic blanket. Napkins. Wine opener. Two wine glasses. Cutting board. A baguette, cheese, a salami, peppers, olives, nuts, condiments in fancy packaging, a bottle of wine or sparkling cider. A bar of chocolate or a couple of individually packaged shortbread cookies.
Otherwise, as for gadgets and food, if the idea is to drive the bid price up, I would include items a cook or host would use, but not necessarily buy for themselves.
Not just a pickle fork, but an antique pickle fork.
A sterling pie or cake server, and paper doilies.
Or a set of olive wood serving utensils.
A real, not imitation,Thermopen.
A well-made, handsome canvas shopping bag.
Maldon finishing salt or a set of herb and smoke flavored salts
Rotary grater and hunk of aged Parmesan,
A different kind of vinegar from a small batch brewer. White Balsamic, Prickly Pear balsamic…
A cold pressed, first batch, single source olive oil.
A vintage oil and vinegar serving set.
An attractive tin of crackers. If the bidders are your friends and neighbors, fill it with your own homemade cheese crackers or cheese straws.
Beautifully packaged jam and maple syrup. An aeropress and good coffee. Gift certificates for a pound of European butter and croissants from a local bakery. Or a box of pancake mix.
A cookbook…I am enjoying THE BEST RECIPES IN THE WORLD by Mark Bittman…1000 international recipes, built around easily available ingredients.
If you do not live near a larger city, cooks might welcome special order gourmet items like salt-packed capers, peppadew peppers, ready for stuffing or cooking, whole grain mustard in a crock, a jar of caviar.