Backchannelmedia

Backchannelmedia

NEW YORK, Oct. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Sure, sure. You do the dishes when he does the cooking. Big deal. Doesn't he deserve more of a thank-you than that? Specialty Web sites and catalogs are chock full of cool gifts for the family chef. This year, indulge him -- and yourself!

The best place to start your search is at http://www.shopthenet.org/ , the online shopping portal operated by the Direct Marketing Association (DMA). "Home- and kitchen-oriented Web sites and catalogs keep an eye out for innovative cooking gadgets and appliances," says Amy Blankenship, director of DMA's Shop@Home Information Center. "You can trust they'll turn up the latest great gifts for any kind of cook."

Treat that Iron Chef to his own set of knives from QVC (http://www.qvc.com/ ) and watch him get creative! The Tramontina Deluxe Carving Set will help him wow the guests at your holiday dinner. And the Stainless Steel 12-piece Knife Set is all he'll need in the kitchen; it stores in its own wooden block. Wait! Slide a New England Maple 12" Cutting Board on that counter just in case. Finally, add a Kitchen Grips Chef's Apron to his gift box; it's heavy-duty, adjustable, and has a lower pocket for holding utensils.

You'll find more than 40 unique appliances at BrylaneHome Kitchen (http://www.brylanehomekitchen.com/ ). The 3-in-1 Cucina Pro slow-cooks, deep fries, and steams -- and frees up counter space. Mom will love the Rotato Express: no more hand peeling! It even peels zucchini and kiwi. On the cooking side, the MIA Infusion Grill drains away fat while infusing meats with fabulous flavor; it roasts, grills, steams, and smokes right on your stovetop! And their Cast Iron Dutch Oven stews and roasts the old-fashioned way.

Choose the best in baking sets at Bed Bath & Beyond (http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/ ). The Wilton Indulgence 6-Piece Baking Set has the latest in non-stick surfaces, from a cookie sheet to baking pans to a muffin tin. Wilton Oven Gourmet Baking Pans complement the set, with Madeleine and springform pans, and more. The heavyweight Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls stack for storage. Make sure you browse their gadgets for unique stocking stuffers -- pizza wheels, garlic presses, a potato ricer, a pineapple slicer -- the choices are endless!

You can bake pies, steam veggies, or roast a meal in Ginny's Countertop Convection Oven (http://www.ginnys.com/ ). Ginny's brand kitchenware helps the busy cook in practical ways. Her Slow Cooker switches to warm when the cooking's done. Her 9-in-1 Everything Oven is a rotisserie, grill, and griddle; it broils, bakes, toasts, and more. The Super Pot is multi-talented, too: it can roast, braise, stew, steam, make soup, and stir-fry! And the 16-inch Digital Skillet finally takes the guess work out of "Is it done yet?"

Finally, every Iron Chef knows that once the preparation is done, it's all in the presentation. Show off his or her handiwork with one-of-a-kind serving pieces from Garnet Hill (http://www.garnethill.com/ ). You'll find elegant, original products for the home here, in unique colors! Their Enamel Servingware and Flatware in white, blue, red, or lime will add flair to the holiday meal. Dress that holiday table in plum, cilantro, or midnight Garnet Hill Signature Table Linens -- with a monogram! Ready, set, serve!

Source: Direct Marketing Association

CONTACT: Amy Blankenship, of Direct Marketing Association, Inc., +1-212-790-1523, ablanken@the-dma.org

Web site: http://www.shopthenet.org/