Best Sustainable Gifts for Food Lovers
-
October 1st, 2024
Browse hundreds of extraordinary Christmas food gifts at Sous Chef. Or for the foodie Christmas gift that every food-lover is hoping for, see our finest Italian panettone.
This year, give a gift that also casts a vote for the kind of world we want to live in. Our round-up of sustainable and eco gifts include stunning artisan pieces made in small batches, recycled materials, low-carbon production, and locally-made items that support rural communities.
Find a beautiful gift, that also has a positive impact on planet, in Sous Chef's selection of sustainable gifts for food lovers, 2024!
Biodegradable Tree Decorations
With hundred of playful festive characters to choose from, these felt decorations are some of our favourites at Sous Chef.
Felt So Good was founded by Adele Zara Collinson in 2009, after she was inspired Nepalese handmade felt. Her colourful designs are crafted in Nepal, by skilled artisans who use traditional techniques. All materials and dyes used by Felt So Good are natural and biodegradable.
Choose between the bumble bee, lobster, Christmas prawn or - new for 2024 - the Bakery Bunny, BBQ King, and 'Got Milk?' Christmas Cow!
The Re-usable Advent Calendars!
Maison Bremond's showpiece Advent calendar is filled with artisan treats from their local area in Provence. Think fruit jellies, lemon biscuits, olive oil, balsamic, nougat and a few treats for pampering yourself, like olive oil soap and lavender hand cream. Treasure the contents - which all support the local economy in Provence - then keep the wooden box and use it to store ingredients, tins or make your own Christmas hamper-tray for friends and family!
Crackers That Do Good
Wooden Children's Toys
The Opinel Blue Le Petit Chef 3-piece knife set is a fun and safe way to introduce children to cooking. It’s perfect for encouraging your little one to help out in the kitchen!
The set includes a specially designed knife with a rounded end for safety and an educational ring to guide proper finger placement. The peeler also has a ring for easy grip, making it great for peeling fruits and vegetables. Plus, the finger guard protects their hand while chopping. The stainless-steel blades offer excellent cutting quality, and the beechwood handles come from ethically sourced forests, making this a thoughtful, durable, and sustainable choice.
Artisan French Knives
Laguiole en Aubrac brought the art of knife-making back to Espalion in the 20th century, creating the highest quality, artisanal stainless steel knives. The original Laguiole knife dates back to 1829. A simple folding knife became the talk of not only the town, but the whole country loved for its practicality and elegant, intricate design.
These knives are some of the finest examples of Laguiole artistry.
The origin of the blade must also be authenticated. Laguiole en Aubrac is a registered trademark which proves its origin. The logo and name of the registered brand must also be visible - Laguiole en Aubrac signifies this with a bull.
Stylish Organic Cotton
Quite Nice Clothing is a small independent producer of playful food and drink themed cotton goods. Made in the UK and committed to being as green as possible, designs are hand-drawn and screen printed onto the best quality, durable 100% Organic cotton. Sustainable and environmentally-friendly, even the packaging is compostable and recyclable!
Cast Iron For Life
Cookut is a cookware company with a mission to promote joyful living that has a low environmental impact. The French brand prioritises the use of renewable and natural raw materials in all of its products, from sustainable wood to recyclable metal. By creating multi-functional and easy-to-use cookware, Cookut hopes to encourage more people to discover – or rediscover – the joy of home cooking. And, it doesn’t stop there.
For every product made, Cookut finances the reintroduction of a bee in France by supporting local beekeepers, as well as financially supporting projects that protect endangered species.
The board that keeps your knife sharp
Made from sustainable teak wood, it’s thick and heavy, giving you a sturdy surface for chopping and carving. Teak exudes oily resins that keep it conditioned, so it requires less maintenance than other wooden boards.
Use this heavy-duty chopping board to prepare your favourite cuts of meat or to serve sliced steak straight to the table. It could also be used to serve cheese and charcuterie.
The hardwood end grain is much more durable than other boards and will keep knives sharp and will look beautiful stored on your counter or stovetop. With minimal care, your board will last for years.
Sustainable Kitchen Knives
The Japanese knife duo is a sleek, elegant set that covers the essential tasks of every Japanese kitchen. It’s a versatile and thoughtful gift for anyone who enjoys cooking. This set includes:
Santoku – a lightweight, all-purpose knife perfect for slicing, chopping, and mincing. It handles vegetables, meat, and fish with ease.
Nakiri – the go-to knife for chopping vegetables, allowing for precise, wafer-thin slices and evenly sized cuts.
Both knives are made from high-quality MV stainless steel, which is easy to sharpen and holds its edge for a long time. The steel’s excellent resistance to corrosion makes it ideal for both beginners and experienced chefs. Crafted in Seki City, Japan’s renowned knife-making capital with nearly 800 years of tradition, these knives offer premium quality and durability.
Stylish Bag For Life
This 100% cotton bag is compact, soft to touch and made from sustainable materials. Never have to reach for a single-use plastic one again with one of these stylish bags in your handbag or backpack.
String bags like these have been used in France for decades and were traditionally used to carry groceries. The strong cotton net bags squish down into almost nothing, so they’re a convenient way to make sure you always have a bag to hand.
Regional Honey
Maison Bremond’s PGI lavender honey from Provence is fresh with floral notes of lavender that beautifully compliment the sweetness of this sticky syrup. This honey has a light golden in colour, to reflect the delicate flavour from the PGI lavender, which has a subtle fruity note.
The lavender that Masion Bremond use in their honey has protected geographical status (PGI), meaning they only use the finest and freshest lavender from Carces in Provence.
Enjoy this honey drizzled over porridge or sweet fruit tarts, or dissolve a teaspoon in water for a sweet herbal honey tea.
100% Recycled & Elegant Placemats
LIGA’s range of colourful rectangular placemats adds a vibrant touch to your dining table, while supporting the environment. Each placemat is made from a blend of naturally organic cork and recycled EVA plastics rescued from the oceans – your new placemat might even contain a lost flip flop!
The cork is ethically sourced from Portugal, harvested without damaging the trees, and continues to absorb carbon dioxide even after being transformed into tableware. The recycled materials create unique patterns in every piece, so no two placemats are the same.
LIGA’s Beach Clean range is perfect for eco-conscious homes, blending style and sustainability in every item. Wipe clean with a damp cloth and enjoy the splash of colour they bring to your table.
