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With the Thanksgiving holiday and gift-giving season on fast approach, killer kitchenware is top-of-mind for those who like to inspire awe with their ability to cook and entertain with ease. Of course, no culinary kitchen is complete without tools of the trade—and lots of ‘em. With this in mind, here are appetizing assortment foodie gifts and gets that are always in good taste:

AquaChef (www.AquaChef.com) – $159.80
AquaChef is a revolutionary cooking appliance that, using the sous-vide method of preparation, transforms every day food into gourmet-quality meals–from a ham and eggs breakfast to a steak and potatoes dinner. Cuts of meat that are often difficult to prepare, such as flank steak and brisket, emerge fork-cutting tender. With the sous-vide method of preparation, it is virtually impossible to undercook or overcook food. Plus, it eliminates the need for additional fats or oils and also keeps foods at the correct temperature until they are ready to serve. This able appliance is compact, quiet and uses little energy. It also comes with KitchenAdvance’s Seal ‘N Fresh Handheld Vacuum System, including a set of bags.

Messermeister Cheflamme Culinary Torch (www.QVC.com) – $55.00
Your culinary skills will be on fire with this Messermeister Cheflamme culinary torch with four-piece ramekin set. Delight your dining devotees with scrumptious fire-finished concoctions like crème brûlée or sugary tarts, or use the torch on to quickly roast veggies and sear and caramelize meat. With a burn time of up to 200 minutes and an adjustable flame, this versatile gadget will soon become the home cook’s go-to tool. The torch, which measures 11″ x 10-1/2″ x 4,” also features a self-igniting piezo ignition, and a child-proof safety lock system.

George Foreman Multi-Plate Grill (www.Walmart.com) – $59.99
For those with many mouths to feed but not a lot of time, the George Foreman Multi-Plate Grill for 5 Servings makes quick, easy and abundant meals in less than 20 minutes. It can grill, griddle, bake and make waffles not to mention that it has the “George Tough” nonstick coating that eliminates the need to use oil or butter. Plus, this all-in-one meal maker has the exclusive fat removing design, so it removes up to 42% of fat from one quarter pound of 80/20 ground chuck. The grill comes equipped with variable temperature controls, dual power, and a ready indicator light and also has dishwasher-safe removable plates.

Zoku Quick Pop Maker (www.SurLaTable.com) – $49.95
Here’s something fun for gourmands of all ages. The Zoku Quick Pop Maker freezes ice pops straight from your countertop and without electricity. Quickly layer flavors for striped pops, yogurt pops, cream-filled pops and, for the first time ever at home, flavored core pops. Simply add fresh ingredients and in as little as seven minutes your ice pops will be ready to eat. The kit includes six durable, reusable plastic pop sticks, which have unique ridged designs so the pops adhere securely, with special drip guards for a mess-free treat. A specially designed “Super Tool” helps to quickly release frozen treats from the molds. This unit makes up to nine pops before the unit needs to be re-frozen again in preparation. This simple-to-use maker provides delicious fun for the whole family.

Babycakes Flip-Over Cake Pop Maker (www.TheBabyCakesShop.com) – $39.99
Cake pops have never been so popular, and the Babycakes flip-over cake pop maker brings the fun and delicious trend into your own kitchen. Now it’s even easier to get a perfectly round and browned cake pop with this rotating unit, as the upper housing of the equipment rotates after filling with batter. You’ll be able to make 12 cake pops or donut holes in just minutes. Add sticks and creative coatings for a delicious and decorative treat in no time. The unit features a non-stick coating that makes baking and clean up fast and easy. The Babycakes flip-over cake pop maker comes complete with all the accessories you need to bake and decorate cake pops or donut holes.

Cool Baker Cake Pop Maker (www.SpinMaster.com) – $24.99
For those kids who also want a piece of the cake pop action, the Cool Baker Cake Pop Maker makes this banking trend safe and simple for youngsters. Suited for those ages 6 and up, this unit comes with everything you need to make eight delicious cake pops without actual heat baking. Just mix the batter and then set in the refrigerator. In just 15 minutes the pops will be good-to-go. Then, dip the cake pops in icing, decorate with three kinds of sprinkles, and customize using the stencils and tags that all come with the kit. This unique “cooking” device is the perfect way for kids to get in on the fun without safety concerns associated with an oven or electrical appliance.

Nostalgia Electrics CKM-100 Cupcake Maker (www.QVC.com) – $25.00
Another great device for those with a penchant for sweets is the Nostalgia Electrics CKM-100 Cupcake Maker. Use your own favorite recipe or mix with this unique countertop contraption, which bakes up to seven perfectly cooked cupcakes in just five short minutes. The preheat indicator lights tell you when it’s ready to go. Then, just pour in the batter and the machine does the rest. When ready, add your favorite toppings and you’ll have perfectly cooked and uniformly sized cupcakes that are great for any occasion. This space-saving and energy-efficient cupcake maker is often more enviro-friendly over a regular oven. The non-stick baking plates are easy to remove and clean.

Photo Credit: Edward Marc Chocolatier

Edward Marc Chocolatier Caramel Apples (www.EdwardMarc.com) – $8.00 per apple
Often the best foodie find is one that’s ready-to-eat with no preparation required. This certainly holds true with Edward Marc Chocolatier’s Caramel Apples that come in an array decadent flavors anyone with a sweet tooth will savor. Each graciously coated confection adorns a crisp Granny Smith Apple covered in Edward Marc caramel. The company’s Sweet Coconut Caramel Apple features white chocolate rolled in fresh sweetened coconut. The Chocolate Meltaway Caramel Apple has signature milk chocolate topped with a dark chocolate drizzle. The Almond Butter Toffee Caramel Apple is rolled in crushed almond butter toffee. The Pecan Caramel Terrapin Apple is covered in signature milk chocolate and oven-roasted crushed Texas pecans. Need I say more?

Set of Three Etched Pastry Domes by Valerie (www.QVC.com) – $55.00
As a sophisticated way to serve your sweet treats, appetizers or other small bites over the holidays and year round, consider this set of three Etched Pastry Domes from the Valerie Parr Hill Collection. These elegant domes with eye-catching crystal accents offer a way to add a decorative flair to desserts and other apt fare you display at a party. The domes are perched on beautiful elongated pedestals that stand 5-1/2″H, 7-1/2″H, and 9-1/4″H, with domes that measure 7-1/2″ in diameter. Besides being a safe and spectacular way to present food, they can also be used as home décor pieces in the kitchen and dining room.

The Nora Fleming Platter Collection (www.NoraFleming.com) – Starting at $40
Potentially my favorite find of this season. The Nora Fleming Platter collection pairs traditional and ubiquitous ivory-colored ceramic serving platters with decorative, removable, interchangeable pieces called “minis” that represent various holidays and themes. Each platter and serving piece has a small hole on the rim to affix a “mini” to, which adds a fun and festive element to the occasion. Nora Fleming has every serving occasion covered with nine ceramic serving pieces, including four serving platters, a pedestal cake stand, two candy dish/napkin holders, a divided dish and a large serving bowl.  Nora Fleming’s unmatched, distinctive collection also includes 68 of the all-important minis that encompass seasons, sports, hobbies and holidays.  New minis are released quarterly to ensure the collection stays fresh.

Expandable Wine and Champagne Sealers–Set of Four (www.QVC.com) – $22.00
For those occasions you do not actually finish a bottle of wine or champagne but do not want to lose the flavor or effervesce, try these expandable wine and champagne sealers that will protect what’s left and keep it fresh for days. These innovative velvet and plastic sealers go beyond the standard stoppers that traditionally cannot keep wine or champagne fresh amid the pressure build-up. However, these bottle sealers go the distance with high-tech gaskets that expand to fill the bottle’s neck as you turn it, preventing air from entering or escaping so that the champagne bubbles and flavor profiles are there when you are ready to imbibe some more.

***Some or all of the accommodations(s), experience(s), item(s) and/or service(s) detailed above may have been provided at no cost and/or arranged to accommodate this review, but all opinions expressed are entirely those of Merilee Kern and have not been influenced in any way as per the disclosure policy on our “Legal” page***