Gift Guide 2018: Last Call

I was really sad to read that Shed, the great Healdsburg emporium, restaurant and cooking school is closing its doors.  It's one of the great food institutions of the West, a gorgeous and impeccably curated collection of everything having to do with food. I never fail to stop in when I'm in Sonoma County, and I've discovered many of my favorite products there. But alas, the Sonoma fires took a toll on tourism - and thus on this seminal shop.

Happily Shed will continue as an online emporium.

Although they have a slew of wonderful products, what I particularly appreciate is their selection of Japanese goods.  The donabe up above is a pretty perfect pot that any cook would be happy to receive. But they've also got spectacular organic black sesame oil, made by the same Japanese company for 130 years,

furikake powder, which adds a teasing sweet and savory touch to all manner of dishes

and this lovely stoneware hot pot that goes easily from oven to table.

But don't take my word for it: go to the site and take a look.  I'll be very surprised if you don't find something fascinating that you've never seen before.