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Alison Roman’s Holiday Gift Guide for the Food-Obsessed
The cookbook author shares what she’s gifting this holiday season — and what she hopes to receive.
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Photos by Nicole Franzen
The one cookbook that will be on everyone’s holiday wish list this year? DINING IN by Alison Roman. The recipe developer and food writer has written for major food publications like the New York Times, GQ, Lucky Peach, and Cherry Bombe, not to mention her regular contributions to Bon Appetit. Before joining the editorial world, Roman worked professionally in kitchens such as New York’s Momofuku Milk Bar and San Francisco’s Quince.
On the heels of her cookbook release, we asked Roman, who lives in Brooklyn, to share her ultimate holiday gift shopping list. What’s on her list for the season? Classic tote bags, stoneware casserole, and naturally, her new book.
I don’t think my sister wears a watch, but I think she might if it were this one from Fossil. It’s subtle, super chic and kind of signals that you are definitely an adult (but a fun one). She can swap out the interchangeable watch band to match whatever she’s wearing; plus, she’ll be able to sync up the watch to her phone to get notifications, control her music on Spotify, and even set step and fitness goals. This is my “welcome to your mid-twenties” gift.
I am going to gift this to my friends who just moved in together. Their new spot is close to me and bigger than my apartment, so I have a feeling we will start hosting our Sunday dinners there, and obviously we need good music. I live by my Sonos and it’s actually an affordable little speaker, given how convenient it is to use and how great the sound is.
A Plane Ticket
One of my best friends had a baby this year, and my other friend and I want to take her on a short, three-day trip somewhere fun and warm, sans bebe. Not that babies aren’t great, it’s just more that we think she deserves a tropical vacation. With us. And cocktails. And no baby.
I’m not sure anything would make my dad happier than to see Bruce live, on Broadway, off Broadway, at a stadium, at a gas station, etc. I’m pretty sure these tickets are impossible to cop, but I did tell him if he comes to visit me in New York City I will try like hell to take him.
I don’t know anyone that couldn’t use a new wallet, but my aunt is an especially bad offender. Normally she’s got a bunch of cards and bills crammed into something way smaller than it should be, a la George Costanza, and honestly I don’t know how she finds anything. This little — or should I say, big — number will fit all of her stuff with room to breathe. It even has a pocket for her to tuck in her iPhone in a pinch. And the soft pebbled leather is definitely an upgrade from her current, banged up wallet.
Russian Baths
My boyfriend loves the Russian Baths but hates paying for the Russian Baths. A little massage/steam combo all paid for already on a Sunday is the ideal gift for him (okay ... for us).
I want these in every size, every color. Great for baking, for serving stews and other sides. They are classy as hell but also, you know, hyper functional. I would be happy to gift these to any of my friends who cook and like nice things, but if I’m being honest, I really just want them for myself.
I. Love. This. Tote. I don’t really feel comfortable owning things I think I’m going to break, stain, rip, or destroy. A good tote that can fit all of my dirty vegetables, sharp knives, groceries, and my laptop without fear of ruining it is invaluable. This one comes in genuine leather (durability for the win) and has all of the pockets I could dream of: four zipper pockets, another pocket just for my phone, and more zipper compartments on the inside. With this tote, I’m no longer the most disorganized bag lady on the subway — plus, it’s cute as hell.
I have a few friends and family members that would seriously benefit from this service, which is basically a kitchen reorganization. Emily comes to your house, tells you what you need (and what you definitely do NOT need) and helps you arrange everything so that cooking is way more enjoyable. It changed my life.
Everything on this list would be a nice gift to give, but the reality is that if I’m giving a gift, it’s gonna be this book because I wrote it and it’s great. Surprise! But seriously, this book is for anyone who loves to cook and needs some new inspired-but-effortless dinner ideas, for anyone who thinks they can’t cook but wants to, and for anyone curious about what I think of boiled potatoes. It’s all in there!