From bespoke iced biscuits to a ravishing-looking carbonator

HTSI contributing editor Ajesh Patalay
HTSI contributing editor Ajesh Patalay
FPM Milano leather-trimmed aluminium and wood cookstation, £9,995, mrporter.com
FPM Milano leather-trimmed aluminium and wood cookstation, £9,995, mrporter.com

1 If someone were to gift me this “kitchen in a suitcase”, I would find ways to use it; cooking crêpes Suzette in far-flung locations, perhaps. FPM Milano leather-trimmed aluminium and wood cookstation, £9,995, mrporter.com

Cabana rectangular Persia table linen, £430
Cabana rectangular Persia table linen, £430

2 Can you ever have too many tablecloths? In my case, yes. But I’ll make room for this one from Cabana. Cabana rectangular Persia table linen, £430

Papava iced biscuits, papava.sugarcraft@gmail.com
Papava iced biscuits, papava.sugarcraft@gmail.com

3 These bespoke iced biscuits from London baker Poppy Cosyns are my kind of stocking fillers. I’d love some that look like BoJo. Papava iced biscuits, papava.sugarcraft@gmail.com

Blenheim Forge Classic set in knife roll, £1,120
Blenheim Forge Classic set in knife roll, £1,120

4 Chefs such as Mark Hix and Gordon Ramsay rave about these Japanese-style knives from Blenheim Forge in south London, and for good reason. They look as good as they cut. Blenheim Forge Classic set in knife roll, £1,120

Cambridge Imprint hardback notebook in Charleston Scumble, £12.95; pack of labels in red, £4.50
Cambridge Imprint hardback notebook in Charleston Scumble, £12.95; pack of labels in red, £4.50

5 I’m always on the hunt for good stationery. A friend put me on to Cambridge Imprint, which creates handsome notebooks and labels to make spice jars look extra-special. Cambridge Imprint hardback notebook in Charleston Scumble, £12.95; pack of labels in red, £4.50

The Tinned Fish Market subscription, from £45 for three months
The Tinned Fish Market subscription, from £45 for three months

6 There are few things I like better than tinned sardines on toasted sourdough. I recently came across a company based in Salford that delivers boxes of tinned fish sourced from family producers across Europe. And such handsome tins. The Tinned Fish Market subscription, from £45 for three months

Witloft Classic leather apron, €139.95
Witloft Classic leather apron, €139.95

7 A handmade leather apron as well suited for chopping wood as chopping onions. What more could a bearded metrosexual like me want? Witloft Classic apron, €139.95

The Nue Co Prebiotic + Probiotic capsules, £55, and Skin Filter capsules, £40
The Nue Co Prebiotic + Probiotic capsules, £55, and Skin Filter capsules, £40

8 Eating out as much as I do requires a gym membership and formidable gut health. So many people have been raving about these supplements to steady the stomach and clear the complexion. The Nue Co Prebiotic + Probiotic capsules, £55, and Skin Filter capsules, £40

River Café large gift box, from £600
River Café large gift box, from £600

9 This hamper from River Café has everything to make your heart sing, from Tuscan honey and La Molina pralines to Cipriani tagliolini and Petrilli tomatoes from Puglia. I’m not sharing. River Café large gift box, from £600

Japanese pestle and mortar, £85, nativeandco.com
Japanese pestle and mortar, £85, nativeandco.com

10 Ever since I saw Chez Panisse’s Alice Waters using a Japanese pestle and mortar to pulverise garlic and make vinaigrettes, I have wanted one. I love everything from the homeware store Native & Co in Notting Hill. Japanese pestle and mortar, £85, nativeandco.com

The Food Almanac (Pavilion), £16.99
The Food Almanac (Pavilion), £16.99

11 I can’t think of any book I’d rather cosy up with on Boxing Day than this collection of food writing edited by Miranda York. Deborah Levy on lemons, Marina O’Loughlin on toast and Raymond Blanc on crabapples are among the treats. The Food Almanac (Pavilion), £16.99

Gavin Houghton Blue Bird platter, £190
Gavin Houghton Blue Bird platter, £190

12 My interior designer friend Gavin Houghton recently got a kiln and started making ceramics. Some of his saucers are quite saucy. This blue bird platter is my favourite, and would look great on a wall or the table. Gavin Houghton Blue Bird platter, £190

AARKE Carbonator II in Copper, £199.99
AARKE Carbonator II in Copper, £199.99

13This gadget looks ravishing and will help me save the planet in weaning me off bottled sparkling water. It also makes staying hydrated at home more exciting. AARKE Carbonator II in Copper, £199.99

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