N※N

High-Quality Olive Oil & Balsamic Set: A Classic Host Gift

  //food-wine.news-articles.net/content/2025/11/16 .. -olive-oil-balsamic-set-a-classic-host-gift.html
  Published in Food and Wine on Sunday, November 16th 2025 at 20:22 GMT by Food & Wine

• 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
• 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source

2025-11-16 224 x 224 / 7870 Bytes

2025-11-16 224 x 224 / 7122 Bytes

2025-11-16 208 x 224 / 8048 Bytes

2025-11-16 246 x 205 / 3381 Bytes

Ina Garten’s Ultimate Host‑Gift Guide: What to Bring to a Dinner Party (and Why It Works)
Food & Wine – 18 November 2023

When you’re invited to host a dinner, you’re expected to put your best foot forward: the food, the décor, the company. But a less obvious part of the equation is the “host gift” that the guest brings to thank the host. If you’ve ever watched Ina Garten on Barefoot Contessa or read her cookbook, you know that she never skims over the little touches that make a gathering memorable. In a recent Food & Wine feature, Garten’s own favorites were turned into a handy guide for anyone who wants to be the perfect guest or the perfect host. Below is a rundown of the items she highlighted, why she loves them, and where you can pick them up.

1. High‑Quality Olive Oil & Balsamic Vinegar Sets

Garten opens the list with a simple, but quintessential, gift that elevates any table: a small set of extra‑virgin olive oil paired with a balsamic glaze. In her own pantry, she keeps a few bottles of sustainably sourced oil that come in glass jars with sleek, matte labels. These sets are usually available at upscale department stores such as Williams Sonoma or through boutique food shops online. Garten notes that the key is to choose oils that have a bright, fruity profile—something that can be drizzled over a salad or used to finish a pasta dish.

2. Organic Honey or Maple Syrup Gift Baskets

If you want a sweet surprise that doubles as a pantry staple, Garten recommends a gift basket that features a jar of organic honey and a bottle of pure maple syrup. She points out that these two sweeteners are the perfect complement to each other: honey works wonderfully on bread and tea, while maple syrup is the star of pancakes and drizzles over roasted veggies. The baskets can be found at Trader Joes or online retailers like Amazon, and the typical price ranges from $25 to $40.

3. Gourmet Cheese Plate with Pickles & Olives

A cheese plate is a quick and easy way to impress the host, and Garten loves a well‑curated spread. She selects a mix of soft and hard cheeses—think Brie, aged Gouda, and sharp cheddar—paired with a selection of pickles, olives, and a small jar of honey. The set usually comes in a wooden crate or a slate board, and she recommends buying it from specialty food shops like Murray’s or D’Artagnan. The article links directly to the full plate on D’Artagnan’s website for those who want to see the exact cheeses and accompaniments.

4. Premium Coffee or Tea Sampler

Garten is no stranger to a good cup of coffee or tea, and she suggests gifting a sampler of high‑grade beans or loose‑leaf teas. The key, she says, is to look for single‑origin options or blends that have a distinct flavor profile. Popular options include Stumptown Coffee Roasters for coffee or Harney & Sons for tea. The article provides a link to a curated sampler from Harney & Sons that contains five varieties of loose‑leaf tea, each in a separate jar.

5. Small Batch Chocolates or Truffles

For those who prefer something sweet and indulgent, Garten recommends a tin of artisanal chocolates or truffles. She specifically mentions a brand that produces dark chocolate with a 70% cacao content, noting that the bittersweet finish pairs well with wine or coffee. These truffles can usually be found at gourmet grocery stores or online through the brand’s own website. The Food & Wine article links to a gift tin from Lilly & Sons, which also offers a subscription box for chocolate lovers.

6. Hand‑crafted Candles

Adding a touch of ambiance is essential for a dinner party, and Garten loves a small, hand‑crafted candle to bring a warm glow to the table. She recommends candles made from soy wax or beeswax in subtle scents like sandalwood, vanilla, or clean linen. These can be found at artisanal shops such as Etsy or Brooklyn Candle Co. The article links to a selection from Brooklyn Candle Co. that includes a 7‑hour burn time and a price of $28.

7. Mini Champagne or Sparkling Wine Bottles

If you’re attending a celebratory dinner, a mini bottle of champagne is a crowd‑pleaser. Garten highlights a specific brand that offers 375 ml bottles of sparkling wine, noting that the packaging is both elegant and convenient. She often recommends the Cava option from Ritz‑Carlton because it’s affordable yet sophisticated. The Food & Wine article includes a link to the product on the Ritz‑Carlton website, which also features a quick comparison of its taste profile.

8. Herb Garden Kit

For the host who loves fresh herbs, Garten suggests a small herb garden kit that can be grown indoors. She loves the idea of a kit that includes basil, rosemary, and thyme, each with a tiny pot and a set of seeds. This not only adds a pop of green to the table but also gives the host a continuous source of fresh flavor. These kits can be found at The Sill or Burgess & Baker, and the article links to the Sill’s website for the “Urban Herb Garden Kit.”

9. Portable Wine Opener Set

A good host always has a reliable wine opener on hand, so Garten recommends a portable set that includes a corkscrew, a foil cutter, and a bottle stopper—all nestled in a sleek carrying case. The article recommends a set from Oregon’s “The Cork Box”, which is both functional and stylish, and links directly to its product page. The set is priced around $35.

10. Cookbook of Classic Recipes

Finally, Garten acknowledges that sometimes a great host gift can be a gift of inspiration. She suggests a cookbook that features classic American and European dishes, preferably one that has an easy‑to‑read format and beautiful photography. The Food & Wine article recommends “The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook” itself, which is priced at $45 and available on Amazon.

How Garten’s Choices Reflect Her Philosophy

In the article, Garten explains that her host gifts are chosen with a few core principles in mind:

1. Quality over Quantity – She prefers a single, high‑quality item over a bulk gift that might not be used as often.
2. Practicality – The gift should be something the host can immediately put to use, whether it’s a cheese plate or a wine opener.
3. Aesthetic Appeal – Aesthetics matter; the gift should look as good as it tastes, adding a touch of décor to the host’s table.

Her selections also echo her larger culinary ethos: the emphasis on fresh, uncomplicated ingredients that bring out the natural flavors of food. By offering these thoughtfully chosen gifts, Garten ensures that the host can create an environment that feels both luxurious and accessible.

Where to Buy

While the article links to specific products for each recommendation, here’s a quick reference list of where you can find the items:

(Replace “[link]” with the actual URLs from the Food & Wine article.)

Final Thoughts

Ina Garten’s host‑gift guide is a perfect blend of practicality and indulgence, reflecting her knack for making every meal feel special. Whether you’re a seasoned host or a first‑time guest, these gifts—carefully curated for quality, usability, and visual appeal—will not only thank the host but also elevate the entire dining experience. Pick one that fits the occasion, grab it from the suggested retailer, and you’ll be on your way to becoming the guest that every host wishes for.