Overview
We all have a mate who thinks, talks, and posts stories constantly about eating and drinking. Not that you mind too much. They've always got the best new bar and restaurant recos, and they bring excellent snacks to picnics. When it comes to getting them a gift, buying something they can consume is a pretty safe bet — but you've gotta keep your standards high because theirs certainly will be.
In partnership with Square, we've picked out nine gourmet gifts for the epicurean in your life. If you're lucky, they'll share some of the tasty goodies with you. And you may even impress by introducing them to a local producer that wasn't on their radar yet. If you are a small business owner, Square has the tools you need to take payments and maximise your sales, including an ebook with tips to help you get started this holiday season.
MONTHLY CHEESE SUBSCRIPTION, MOULD ($75 PER MONTH)
If you don't like to remind your mate regularly of just how lucky they are to have you as a friend (even though they are, of course), a subscription gift will do it for you — every month. And a cheese subscription? Well, you may be the best friend ever. Available from Mould, host of our favourite annual cheese festival, each monthly box features four gourmet cheeses from artisans across Australia, like a mature cheddar from Pyengana and camembert from Robe Dairy. Payment is processed on the first day of every month and the box is shipped the Monday following, so you'll know exactly when to show up at your mate's door with a bottle of vino for an 'impromptu' catch-up.
VOUCHER, JERVIS BAY BREWING CO (FROM $20)
Is your mate a craft beer nerd? Chances are Jervis Bay Brewing Co is already on their radar — in which case, you can shout their first few rounds when they finally visit by buying a voucher online. The brewery is based just outside Huskisson on the NSW south coast. It's only been operating for a year, but thanks to its spacious beer garden, food trucks and rolling calendar of events — including trivia, bingo and open mic nights — it's quickly established itself as a must-visit for locals and visitors alike. Oh, and the beer, of course. With ten working taps, your mate can sample some seasonal brews alongside the core range of pale ales, lagers, wheat beers and more.
PICNIC SEASON REALLY COOL PICNIC BASKET, THE SHEARERS WIFE ($69)
We're in prime outdoor dining season right now, and this vibrant basket will level-up your mate's picnic game in no time. With a fully insulated, waterproof lining, it'll keep drinks and snacks cool and is a breeze to clean. At just one kilogram in weight, it's good if they're on the go, but is able to hold up to 30 kilograms if they're really, really hungry. The entire range features colourful designs in collaboration with Melbourne artist Deb McNaughton Art, but we're especially partial to the very seasonally appropriate 'Sunshine and Lollipops'. You can purchase the basket online from Cooma-based store The Shearer's Wife. There's a flat rate of $10 shipping or free for orders over $150.
LITTLE MISS YOKO GIN, LITTLE LON DISTILLING CO ($80)
What with bars being closed for a while and many booze brands jumping on the virtual masterclass trend during lockdown, your mate may have gotten pretty skilled in making their own cocktails this year. And one they should certainly add to their repertoire is a lychee martini using Little Lon's Little Miss Yoko Gin. The limited-batch, double-distilled gin gives off notes of vanilla, baking spices and, of course, lychee, making it an excellent year-round addition to their bar cart. According to the Melbourne-based distillery, it also suits a fruity sour cocktail or, if your mate wants to keep things simple, tell them to mix it with elderflower tonic water.
POUR OVER COFFEE KIT, MARKET LANE COFFEE ($100)
Maybe your mate is one of those still working from home for the foreseeable future. Or perhaps their caffeine game is pretty weak whenever you visit. Either way, they need their coffee situation sorted pronto. Market Lane's Pour Over Coffee Kit will have them ditching the freeze-dried nonsense in the pantry and transform an early morning cuppa into their favourite part of the day. This starter kit comes with a pour over cone, filter papers, digital pocket scales, a Pitchii jug and a guide to make the entire process easy peasy. Shipping is free for orders over $40.
WITH GRATITUDE GIFT PACK, LOVE TEA ($55)
If there is something your epicurean mate loves more than anything, it's trying new things. So, with over 60 different blends on offer, Love Tea is sure to be right up their alley. Founded in 2006, Love Tea's founders Emma Watson and Damien Amos collaborate with growers across the world to source top-quality organic ingredients, before crafting, blending and packing the teas in flavours like dandelion chai, hibiscus and coconut orange in Melbourne. A gift pack is the best introduction to the brand, so thank your mate for another year of friendship with the With Gratitude pack, which comes with white rose and goji, lemongrass and ginger, peppermint and organic chai. Shipping is $9 or free for orders over $65.
BBQ PACK, MOUNT ZERO OLIVES ($65)
For your food-loving friend who always serves the best food at a barbecue, return the favour (and ensure all future events are as well-catered) by sending them a hamper filled with gourmet produce from Mount Zero Olives. The family-owned olive grove, based in the Grampians in Victoria, has a bunch of gift hampers on offer, but the BBQ Pack will be perfect for all those summer happenings your gang has lined up. The rosemary extra virgin olive oil, Egyptian dukka, and pink lake natural salt with chilli will take barbecued meats and veggies to the next level. There's organic kalamata olives and black olive tapenade to snack on, too. Shipping is $12, or free for orders over $100.
CHRISTMASSY FAVES GIFT, HEY TIGER ($45.50)
We've consumed enough chocolate on Christmas Day to know two things to be true. One: it's a winning gift idea. And two: not all chocolate is created equal. And it's that second point that really sets Hey Tiger apart. The Aussie brand is dedicated to changing the cocoa industry by ethically sourcing its ingredients and donating a portion of every bar sold to The Hunger Project. But it's not simply making a social impact — it's doing it with some innovative flavours, including a whole range of game-changing vegan bars. The Christmassy Faves comes with a caramel and gingerbread white chocolate, a strawberry trifle milk chocolate, and three mini bars. To make your life easy, it comes in a gift box already and you can add a card for just a buck more at the checkout. Oh, and every order comes with a free mini bar, so you won't even need to drop hints to your mate to share their loot.
BEEPOWER POLLEN AND HONEY FUSION 1KG, MUDGEE HONEY HAVEN ($50)
When your mate is really into food, it can be tricky to find something that they haven't tried before. You may have some luck with Beepower's flagship product, a fusion of bee pollen and honey. Available from Mudgee Honey Haven, this product is packed with vitamins, minerals and amino acids — and, due to the pollen, is rich in antioxidants. If, by chance, your mate has tried this tasty product before, they'll thank you for bringing it back into their lives — and you may still impress them with the whopping one-kilogram jar.
Find out how Square is supporting small businesses with the tools they need to grow, here. If you are a small business owner, Square has guidance on how best to maximise sales in the run up to the Christmas holiday period in its ebook, found here.