My mother put a fine dinner on the table every night and was an inspiration to me in the kitchen. But when my father started cookingduring my teenage years, he was fueled by a contagious passion.
It was the kind of exuberance that is often snuffed out by theobligation to ... well, put dinner on the table every night.
My father pored over cookbooks and left cooking magazines lyingall over the house. He made wonderful dishes such as linguine withclam sauce, as well as a few memorable disasters such as thegrilled radicchio with gorgonzola that was too bitter to eat.
He pulled me into the kitchen to show me how to smash garliccloves with a chef's knife and whisk homemade salad dressings,calling me his "little sous chef."
I would imagine fathers are the part-time or full-time familychefs in plenty of households. So why not honor these domesticgastronomes on this Father's Day, June 19, with a gift that fitsthe hobby?
I scoured local kitchen shops for some of the neatest orquirkiest finds. Now, if we could only get someone to scour thedishes ...
Charcoal Companion grill station
This four-piece set includes a large tray for marinating rawfoods and a large tray for storing cooked foods. The tool caddytray, which has space for grilling accessories and a cold beverage,can be hooked to the outside or nestled within for easy storage.
Cost: Available at Provisions for $27 or from various onlineretailers.
Fire Wire flexible grilling skewer
Make better use of your grill space with this bendable stainlesssteel skewer (photo above). Bonus: It's dishwasher safe.
Cost: $10.50 at Provisions; www.firewiregrilling.com
Gamefish bottle openers
These nickel-plated zinc bottle openers are perfect for anglers.They won't tarnish, are heavy weight and come in eight shapes:wahoo, bluefish, marlin, sailfish, flounder, tuna, mahi-mahi andstriped bass.
Cost: $22 at Provisions; also available online from variousretailers
Sodastream
Home soda makers like this are all the rage these days. Users canmake their own sparkling water or soda, controlling the amount offizz and choosing from 30 different flavors, including cola, lemon-lime, diet cola, orange or ginger ale. And they are environmentallyfriendly, producing no bottles to throw away.
Cost: $99.99 at Provisions and Ladles & Linens;www.sodastreamusa.com
Norpro ceramic compost keeper
Is Dad also a gardener? If so, he can toss kitchen scraps in thiscontainer as he cooks. The keeper comes in red, white or black, witha replaceable odor-absorbing charcoal filter under the lid. Whenthe container is full, he can make the kids tote it out to thecompost pile.
Cost: $35.95 at Ladles & Linens; www.norpro.com
Smathers & Branson flasks
The workmanship on these needlepoint flasks is impressive. Orderone with your father's favorite team logo, such as UVa, VT or VMI,or one that matches his style. If you get him this camouflageflask, maybe nobody will notice he's spiking the punch.
Cost: $65 at Provisions; www.smathersandbranson.com
Catstudio state glasses
These fun, colorful frosted tumblers come in all 50 states.Perhaps Pop would like one for each place he's lived, or a full setof Virginia glasses to remind him of our beautiful home while he'ssipping iced tea on the porch.
Cost: $12 each at Provisions; www.catstudio.com
Le Creuset cookware
This fine, iconic French cookware comes in an array of colors,and they aren't all girly. Invest in a handsome black, brown ordark green enamel-coated Dutch oven for perfect pot roasts and coqau vins. It'll last a lifetime.
Cost: $240 for a 5 1/2-quart Dutch oven at Ladles & Linens; www.lecreuset.com
Umbra Portochef recipe album
If Dad prints recipes from the Internet or clips them fromnewspapers and magazines (and who doesn't?), he'll love thisproduct, which has 26 waterproof sleeves and a design that allowsit to stand up for easy reference while cooking. Additional sleevesmay be purchased.
Cost: $32.95 at Ladles & Linens; www.umbra.com
On the blog
The burrito chain Chipotle opened in Roanoke Tuesday. Check outwhat readers had to say about it at blogs.roanoke.com/fridgemagnet
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