Only Father's Day could inspire someone to buy a car lock de-icer in the middle of May. If you're about to buy Dad another goofy gadget or his umpteenth tie, consider this: food gifts are the real winners. No matter Pop's tastes, you're bound to find something he'll truly appreciate. And best of all, gourmet Father's Day gifts are meant to be enjoyed together, so Dad gets what he really wants — quality time with his thoughtful kid.
1. For the Grillmaster
Image Courtesy of Williams-Sonoma
Even if Dad's the sort to dig the barbecue out of a snowstorm for some mid-winter grilling, he only needs so many barbecue tongs and "Born to Grill" aprons. And really, grilling is about making great food, so why not add something to Dad's culinary arsenal this year? Spice rubs are an incredible way to add a hit of flavor to grilled meats, fish, tofu — even vegetables. Williams-Sonoma's Ultimate Grilling Rub Collection includes mini tins of Chili-Lime, Spicy Chipotle, Smokehouse, and Potlatch spice rubs. Vanns Spices' Rubs Sampler lets Dad experiment all season long with a generous selection of BBQ, Espresso, Mole, Mediterranean, Green Tea, Thai, and Beijing rubs. Price: $24, Williams-Sonoma Grilling Rubs; $29.95 Vanns' Rub Sampler.
2. For the Pancake Flipper
Image Courtesy of Daddy Cakes
Whether Daddy-O has the lockdown on the annual Little League pancake breakfast, or just prides himself on wowing his brood with his awesome griddling skills, Daddy Cakes pancake and waffle mixes make a cute, clever gift. The ingredients are high quality, the names silly — think "Blueberry Bonanza Blast" and "Glamorous Gingerbread" — but that's part of the fun. Simpler flavors, like Witty Whole Wheat Organic or Better Batter Buttermilk, are best bets if Pop likes the latitude to doctor the mixes with his own favorite additions. Most are "Just Add Water" mixes, so he might even be insipired to start making breakfast on weekdays. Price: $13.50 for a gift tin with 3 pre-portioned 8-ounce packs; $7.99 for a bag of pancake & waffle mix.
3. For the Movie Buff
Dad's going to love the "Avatar" DVD you got him for Father's Day. And no, watching it won't be the same as it was in the movie theatre — at least not if you upgrade his popcorn, too. Boulder Popcorn's heirloom popcorn kernels pop up beautifully, and are a tremendous step up taste-wise from supermarket popcorn. The red, yellow, and blue kernels — dubbed Ryder's Red, Cambria's Cream, and Kailey's Kernels, respectively — are sold individually, or combined in the Mayor's Mix. The GMO-free kernels are pretty, their flavors distinct, and the yellow and blue varieties are hulless, so they're easy to digest, and less apt to get stuck in your teeth. Price: $4.95/ 1.5 pound bag; $44.95 for a gift set with 3 popcorn varieties plus a Whirley Popper.
4. For the Baseball Nut
Cooperstown Cookie Company®, Richard Walker, Photographer
Based in Cooperstown, New York, home to the Baseball Hall of Fame, the Cooperstown Cookie Company turns out classic shortbread with a novel twist: these cookies look like baseballs, down to the stiching. Flavors include Classic Shortbread, Mudville Mudball Chocolate Chip, or Boys of Summer All-Natural Lemon. The "Bunts" are bite-sized, but if Dad's a trivia buff go with the large cookies and see if he notices that they're the size of regulation baseballs. There are lots of ordering options, but I especially like the team, stadium, and Hall of Fame tins. Plus, purchases help support Pathfinder Village, a residential community for children and adults with Down Syndrome. Price: $10.99/Tin of 12 "Bunts"; $25.99/Tin of 12 large cookies.
5. For the Chilehead
Image Courtesy of AllSpiceCafe.com
If Papa's a fiery food connoisseur, then introduce him to the hot sauces from the Scovie Award-winning All Spice Cafe. The line includes Chipotle Garlic, Cayenne Habanero (in Hot or XXX), Caribbean Spice, and the intriguing Bhut Jolokia Ghost Pepper Sauce. Developed by a Grillmaster and Certified Kansas City BBQ Judge, these are hot sauces with a gourmet sensibility. The heat isn't ramped up just for the thrill of the burn — these sauces are plenty fiery, but well-balanced, flavorful, and recipe-compatible, too. Price: $8.99/12 ounce bottle; $24.99/3-bottle variety pack.