Going to a holiday party? Here’s what you should bring

This holiday season, whatever you do, don’t show up to a hosted event empty-handed. A bottle of wine is always fine. A scented candle? Think again. Your winning personality and sense of humour? Not cute. If you’d really like to say thank you to your friends and family for feeding you, bring something thoughtful, useful and local.

Related: The ultimate holiday gift guide

That doesn’t mean your gift needs to be expensive. A nice loaf from your neighbourhood bakery will do, as will a beautiful bottle of olive oil or amaro. Even better: follow the advice of some of the city’s top chefs, design experts and beverage savants. We asked them what they’re bringing to dinner parties this holiday season. Take notes.

Artisanal chocolate

David Schwartz—the co-owner and creative and culinary director of Linny’s, Sunnys Chinese and Mimi Chinese—loves to roll up to friend’s houses with something from Soma, which has locations in Parkdale, King West and the Distillery District. “Any of their single-origin bars or their old-school chocolates are a favourite of mine,” says Schwartz. somachocolate.com

Anything from this Bloordale bottle shop

“This is one of the most unique shops in the city,” says Takja BBQ House chef Edward Bang of Hakko Gakko, Mariko Tajiri and Sean Oh’s Bloordale store. The couple stocks their shop’s shelves with an amazing selection of sake, coffee and even a few snacks. “Mariko is a Master of Sake, and she imports from some of the best sake breweries in Japan,” says Bang. “And Sean, who also runs Regular Coffee, expertly roasts his own coffee beans in-house. Together, they’ve curated an exciting, one-of-a-kind experience, well loved by connoisseurs and industry people. It’s a great spot for holiday shopping.” hakkogakko.com

Gourmet snack board fixings

Meanwhile, Hakko Gakko co-owner and sommelier Mariko Tajiri heads east to Good Cheese when she’s looking for a gift. “It’s a destination for anyone who likes yummy things,” she says. “The team is so knowledgeable and humble. They can help you put together everything from pairings to cheese boards. They carry local and imported delicious wines, jams and preserves; Brets chips, a personal favourite; and a great butter selection. You’re sure to find more than you came for. I have to give myself a time limit or I’ll buy too much.” goodcheese.ca

Brunello di Montalcino or a BC-made bottle

Emad Yacoub, the president and CEO of Glowbal Group and Black and Blue Toronto, is usually the one hosting the party—but if he’s going to one, he shows up with top-of-the-line wine. “I would typically bring a nice bottle of Brunello di Montalcino, which is perfect for every meal and cuisine, every host and wine lover.” Or he brings a bottle from BC, ideally from Martin’s Lane, a North Kelowna pinot noir house led by winemaker Shane Munn.

Fancy glassware

Eric Chong, the chef-owner of Michelin-starred Akin, brings unbelievably thin, hand-blown wine glasses from Zalto. “They’re something people tend not to buy for themselves but love when they’re gifted,” he says. “Everyone can always use an upgrade to their wine glasses, and at least they can reuse them over and over—unlike a bottle of wine. It’s a gift that will always be remembered.” Available at grapewitches.com

Cookbooks

Coulson Armstrong, executive chef at Prime Seafood Palace (and also a contestant on the latest season of Top Chef Canada) always picks up cookbooks he thinks his friends will dig. “Sometimes it’s a timeless classic that I pull out of my library at home and give new life in a new kitchen. Or I browse and shop for cookbooks at the Good Egg in Kingston Market. Currently at the top of my list: Home Made Basics by Yvette van Boven and Food You Want to Eat by Thomas Straker.” goodegg.ca

Related: Six of the city’s best private dining rooms for hassle-free holiday parties

High-quality olive oil

Keri MacLellan of Westgrove, who designs some of Toronto’s swish spots—like the newly opened Eloise and Bar Cart—always shows up with good-quality olive oil from Artie’s, a new bakery and shop on Hamilton’s Locke Street. “It has great branding, which I love, and value—which is important, especially when gifting,” says MacLellan. “It’s very new and has replaced my addiction to Frankies 457 olive oil. Shop Canadian!” shoparties.ca

Hard-to-find wine and tinned seafood

“I always go to Grape Witches for a unique bottle of wine that the host probably wouldn’t have had before,” says Evelyn Chick, owner and founder of Parkdale’s Simpl Things and ECP Hospitality. “Their GW House line is a great starting point.”

And be sure to check out their selection of snacks, which includes Canadian fish from Nice Cans, chef Charlotte Langley’s line of tinned seafood. “They sell really nice conservas,” says Chick. “Who doesn’t love canned goods? And if I really like you, I’ll bring a jar of Terroni’s peperoncini—I put that stuff on everything.” grapewitches.com

Locally made sake

“Forget the usual bottle of wine,” says Kate Fincham, who documents her life in a houseboat on Toronto’s waterfront at @mylittlehouseboat on Instagram. “I like to switch it up with delicious flavoured sake from Izumi. It’s available at the LCBO, but it’s more fun to visit their brewery in the Distillery District.”

Isaac Olivier, Hello Nori’s corporate director of operations, also rolls up to a dinner with something from Izumi—usually their Gold Ginjo Premium Sake. “I was blown away when I discovered Izumi,” he says. “The Izumi Gold label is ideal for both sake lovers and people new to sake. It offers a rich body, subtle sweetness and wonderful complexity. The 375-millilitre bottle makes for the perfect gift.” izumibrewery.com

A hand-crafted cutting board

Olivier also likes to introduce friends and family to his all-time-favourite cutting board. “Our chefs at Hello Nori have been using Hasegawa cutting boards since day one,” he says. “Until I used one for myself, I didn’t know why our supplier described them as the Rolls Royce of cutting boards. Now it’s my go-to at home and my favourite stocking stuffer. Dishwasher safe, soft on blades and self-healing, it’s a game changer. Pro tip: only the yellow one is high quality; the black one isn’t as good.” Available at knifetoronto.com

Artisanal condiments from a cute corner store

And if Fincham isn’t showing up with sake, her arms are stocked with products from City Cottage Market on Kingston Road. “It’s a neighbourhood gem that has a wonderful selection of locally sourced items. Between artisanal beverages, fancy pantry items and deserts, I always find the perfect gift.” Her current favourites: infused Ontario honey from the Heritage Bee Company and Amma’s Malaysian sambal made by Lost in the Sauce.