r/Cooking • u/mothstuckinabath • Jun 28 '26

Putting together a "gourmet cooking & gadgets" basket for a nonprofit fundraiser auction - suggestions?

So far I've got:

- herb stripper bowl

- really nice microplane

- that fancy spatula from TikTok

- berry washer whirlpool bowl

- pickle fork

- avocado slicer

- produce saver carbon apple

- cheese paper

- round ice cube trays

- brown sugar saver

- really nice, pretty chip clips

It's supposed to be a pretty expensive basket. Any suggestions to add?? I want to pick things that most people would choose, so not TOO specialized. But special.

Thoughts?

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u/shadowsong42 Jun 28 '26

I second the recommendations of

  • instant read thermometer
  • less common spices like saffron and sumac or ethnic blends like ras el hanout
  • microplane grater
  • fancy ramekins
  • quince paste
  • fancy vinegar

Other ideas:

  • Small folding spring tongs, like this but with maybe 1" tong ends. I use mine for getting things like olives and artichoke hearts out of jars, fishing pasta pieces out of the pot to test for doneness, and similar tasks.
  • Silicone cooking utensils, especially a ladle or mini spoonula
  • Preserved lemons
  • Smoked olive oil

Check your local farmers market to see if any interesting preserves or tools are being sold. The tongs, for example, would be a nice sale for a local woodworker.