Holiday gifts: Chopsticks Optional
These adorable figures are not the real Chopsticks Optional. (The real people Chopsticks Optional are even more adorable.)
Gifts and giving are on most everyone's mind this month. So, once again, we thought we'd ask a few people to share some thoughts on presents, past and present.
Today we check in with J+R of Chopsticks Optiona, who devour their way through the culinary cornucopia of the Capital Region and beyond, documenting her obsession for sushi and his love for poutine.
What gifts would you like to get this year?
Dear Santa. We've been dining out a bit too often this year. The Food Lab: Better Home Cooking Through Science by J. Kenji Lopez-Alt would be a great start to getting us back into the kitchen. We also wouldn't mind a sweet treat or two from TC Paris Bakery and maybe a couple boxes of chocolate truffles from Sweet Sue's.
What gifts would you like to give this year?
The best gifts are the edible kind and even better when they give back. A portion of profits from the Beekman 1802 Farm Pantry line, both available at Target and their Sharon Springs-based shop, aids small American farms. We're big fans of their Mortgage Lifter Heirloom Tomato Sauce.
Subscription snack boxes are also a delicious way to spread the love over the next few months. Ones like Love with Food donate a meal to a hungry child for every box sent.
For an added personal touch, we've been steeping a batch of homemade vanilla ready for gifting.
What charity would you like to support?
Goomba is our beloved feline furball. In lieu of wedding favors we made a donation to the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society, where she was adopted. This holiday season is a reminder that our four-legged friends need some TLC, too.
What is your most memorable gift from childhood?
As the daughter of immigrant parents, most of my Christmas presents often got lost in translation. I never quite received the exact presents I asked Santa for ,but he did bring me a Sally Secrets doll one year. Stickers popped out of her tummy and a stamp pad was hidden in her shoes. She was the coolest present!
What is your wish for the new year?
Our wish for the new year is to spend more quality time with our friends and family surrounded by great food. Also, here's to the successful pursuit of local poutine with squeaky cheese curds.
Earlier on AOA
+ Holiday gifts: Craig Gravina
+ Holiday gifts: Karen Tararache
+ Holiday gifts: Truemaster Trimingham
photo: YTK Photography
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... said KGB about Drawing: What's something that brought you joy this year?