Category Archives: Giveaway

Holiday Foodie Gift Guide – 2016

Posted on by LeAnne Notabartolo

It’s Giving Tuesday (I didn’t know that was a real thing) and it’s that time of year again. You know, the “What do I get for <fill in the blank>?” time of year. We all struggle with that one, so here’s my annual Holiday Gift Guide for all the foodies on your list.

Last year Sister Nancy gifted me with Try the World and I loved it! You can choose an individual month, or select a gift of the month option for a series of gifts. Each box comes themed by country with products fitting that country’s cuisine and recipe ideas to use them. Gifts start at $39

This pic of their Holiday Box borrowed from Try the World

This pic of their Holiday Box borrowed from Try the World

Here is the perfect gift for the cocktail lovers on your list

I am a fan of “Gift of the Month”, so here is another one for the cocktail lovers on your list. Shaker & Spoon sends everything you need to make great cocktails except the liquor, so you can choose your favorite brand. Each box revolves around one spirit and includes recipe cards, bitters, custom made syrups and produce for garnish. One standard bottle makes 12 cocktails based on the three recipes in each box. Gifts start at $50

Shaker & Spoon sample gift box

Shaker & Spoon sample gift box. Photo by Shaker & Spoon

Make your own Advent Calendar! Do you have a chocoholic, cookie monster, stationery whore, toy hoarder, etc. on your gift list? Create your own unique, customized advent calendar just for them. You’ll need 24 small gifts, numbered stickers and mini bags, boxes or other receptacle to put them all in for gifting. You can pick up an empty wine or beer box at your local liquor store to get you started. 24 beers in a case = 24 openings for your Advent Calendar. If you start today, you still have time to gift this on the first! Prices will vary.

Give a gift from your kitchen

Anything from your kitchen. I LOVE it when people grace me with something homemade. The fact that they took their precious time to create something for me means the world. Gift homemade banana bread or cookies on a fun or quirky thrift shop plate. Last year I made Bloody Mary bags with my own canned Bloody Mary mix and pickled garnishes to go with it. I added a bottle of vodka to finish it off. I think the recipients were pleased. Prices will vary.

Last year's Bloody Mary Bags. I even made the cute hang tag with my Cricut!

Last year’s Bloody Mary Bags. I even made the cute hang tag with my Cricut!

Every cook needs the right apparel and Lost Car Chef does it right! Aprons and Custom made Chef Coats are the perfect gift for the serious cook on your list. Aprons start at $40 and Jackets start at $100. Add your own logo, name, company and other embellishments to make it personal for your Chef or home cook. I own the Lillian jacket and it is my fave of all of my jackets. Smart detailing like magnetic cuff holders on the sleeves and an angled thermometer pocket on the front placket make all the difference in the world. Don’t settle for impostors. Most fun part? They do them in the back of a repurposed food truck that travels around to various locations. For the most up to date info check their website Lost Car Chef Apparel.

Photo Courtesy of Lost Car Chef Apparel

The Lillian Jacket – my fave! Photo Courtesy of Lost Car Chef Apparel

The trendy and tough Grenade Apron. Photo courtesy of Lost Car Chef Apparel.

The trendy and tough Grenade Apron. Photo courtesy of Lost Car Chef Apparel.

Sister Tina gifted me with a Yeti 30 oz Rambler tumbler this spring and I am officially in love! There are other ones on the market at a lower price point, but I’ll stick with my Yeti thanks. No matter how hot the Las Vegas desert gets, my drink stays cold inside the stainless tumbler while the exterior remains sweat free. In the winter, hot beverages stay truly hot while the outside remains comfortable to your hand. No coozie needed. If you REALLY want to splurge, they also make full sized coolers. Just a note when buying on Amazon – check the ship and arrival dates. Some of their participating merchants TAKE FOREVER to arrive. MY order was place on Nov 11th and I have yet to receive it…Prices on Amazon start around $30

Rambler - 30 oz stainless steel tumbler

Rambler – 30 oz stainless steel tumbler

 

Anthony Bourdain is my spirit animal.

I feel we may have been separated at birth. Of course his new cookbook is on my gift list this year! Appetites is GORGEOUS from the cover art by Ralph Steadman to the photographs and the recipes within. I love the way Bourdain “talks” to you when you read the recipes. You can hear his voice in your head. Filled with tips and tricks and recipes to fit nearly every palate, you won’t be disappointed. Because I bought this for myself AND the hubs bought it for me too, I’ll be giving one away next week. All you have to do is be a subscriber. Not a subscriber? Hit the SIGN ME UP button above on the right to be included in this giveaway. (US and Canada only – winner announced on my FB page and will be contacted by me for shipping info.) Retail value – $37.50

Appetites by Anthony Bourdain. Cover art by Ralph Steadman

Appetites by Anthony Bourdain. Cover art by Ralph Steadman

It’s On Me digital gift cards are the perfect answer to what to get just about anyone on your list if they live in Vegas, SoCal or New York. Choose from a carefully curated list of locally owned bars, restaurants and merchants, choose your dollar value and send it to any internet enabled mobile device. Android and Apple are both supported, so if the recipient has a phone, VOILA! Holiday Gifts DONE! Check their website often for expanding markets and promos. Be sure to check their blog for new additions and featured merchants.

So there you have it! Gift giving made easy…Enjoy the Holidays! You are welcome to post your cooking, entertaining or dining questions on my Facebook page at any time! To follow along with my dining adventures through the season be sure to follow me on Facebook or Instagram.

 

 

 

Tommy Bahama Cookbook Giveaway!

Posted on by LeAnne Notabartolo

Last week I received the newest Tommy Bahama cookbook – Flavors of the Southern Coast and I am delighted to announce my first giveaway ever! Read on for details on how you can WIN the Tommy Bahama Cookbook Giveaway!

Flavors of The Southern Coast: Cooking with Tommy Bahama

The second cookbook in a series celebrating regional culture and cuisine

 

Love to cook? Hate to cook? Either way this is a great book! Keep it for yourself or use it to cross someone off your Holiday gift list. You can bet on fab flavors and interesting cocktails to keep you busy in the kitchen. 

Info from Tommy Bahama about the book:

Tommy Bahama, the iconic lifestyle brand, is pleased to announce the release of its latest cookbook, Flavors of the Southern Coast: Cooking with Tommy Bahama.  This edition follows the wildly popular debut of Flavors of Aloha: Cooking with Tommy Bahama, the first in the series of culinary adventures that explore different cultural destinations in a tribute to the unique dishes of each locale. In keeping with Tommy Bahama’s distinguished tastes, Flavors of the Southern Coast compliments the incredible foods and artisan cocktails served in its 16 Tommy Bahama Restaurant and Bar locations found throughout the world. Offering stunning pictorials and wonderful recipes that are interwoven with storied character this modern cookbook epitomizes the brand’s relaxed lifestyle. To the delight of Tommy Bahama enthusiasts that have come to admire the art of graceful entertaining, Flavors of the Southern Coast captures the essence of the Gulf Coast.

Flavors of the Southern Coast features over 100 recipes and serves up an abundance of simply delicious soups, salads, seafood, poultry, desserts, cocktails and so much more.  Many creations are Tommy Bahama Restaurants and Bars specialties and guest favorites that continue to stir the palette including its Seafood Avocado Cocktail, Crab Bisque, Baby Back Ribs with Blackberry Brandy Sauce, Quinoa Succotash, and of course, its signature Key Lime Pie. The cookbook’s mouthwatering menu proudly honors elements from both land and sea incorporating dynamic ingredients, farm fresh produce and locally sourced livestock from the versatile bounty of the Gulf Coast states. Spicy chilies, fragrant citrus fruits, succulent shrimp, and market greens, all Southern staples, make for meaningful meals infused with interesting and colorful profiles. The Tommy Bahama food and drink story would not be complete without the inclusion of original, hand-crafted, cocktails designed by superb mixologists divining inspiration from the playful, warm atmospheres synonymous with the Southern Coast. [this info and  copy courtesy of Tommy Bahama, used with their permission]

There are three steps to enter the Tommy Bahama Cookbook Giveaway:

  1. Subscribe to the email newsletter. You will get email once a week on Tuesday evening with links to all posts from the previous week. Read at your leisure and never miss a post! To subscribe, enter your email and hit the black “sign me up” button on the top right of this page. NO, I do not share your info with anyone. Already a subscriber? GREAT – you’re one step ahead!
  2. Like my Facebook page Good for Spooning. Here you will get recipe ideas, cooking humor, food facts and photos of what I am eating and drinking. Already following? Awesome – step two completed!
  3. Share THIS POST from my Facebook page! All entries will be tracked from that page.

 

  • Note – you MUST be a subscriber and follow my page to win. All current subscribers and followers will be automatically entered once they share the post from the Facebook page. See below for rules and restrictions.

    WIN this brand new Tommy Bahama Cookbook in Good for Spooning's first ever giveaway!

    WIN this brand new Tommy Bahama Cookbook in Good for Spooning’s first ever giveaway!

 

Giveaway rules:

Contest open to residents of USA and Canada.

One prize will be awarded.

This contest is open for one week. (November 1st to November 8th 2016. Closing at midnight on November 8th, 2016 PT)

You must be 18 years of age and a subscriber and follower of Good for Spooning.

This blog posting must be shared from the Facebook page for tracking purposes.

Winner will be announced on Good for Spooning’s Facebook page on November 9th, 2016 and here on www.goodforspooning.com

Winner will be contacted by Good for Spooning for delivery instructions.

Retail value of prize is $40US. There will be no substitutions.

If you live in the Las Vegas area, delivery can be made in person. If you do not, cookbook will be sent via media mail USPS (or similar delivery option for Canada).