8 Gifts for the Gourmet Food Lover

Does a finely broiled filet get your loved one's blood pumping? Do they prefer lobster to lotions and imported chocolate to imported cigars? They're the connoisseur who always knows where the best NY strip steak and mushroom ravioli are in town, and always have recommendations where to take your date or family on Friday night. The following gift ideas should help you decide what to get your gourmand this holiday season:

1. Bountiful Brandy Pumpkin Cake, $19.95 (at the time of this article)
From the Vermont Country Store. Not for the calorie counter, this rich cake is a blend of pumpkin, cream cheese, walnuts, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves, all well-soaked in brandy to add a spicy, moist texture. Fans of this cake might also enjoy Vermont's Harvest Cake and Luscious Lemon Cake. Serves 8.

2. Premium Fillet Mignon, various prices
Omaha Steaks is widely known for its gourmet samplings, not the least of which is their fillet mignon. You can order six of their 6 oz. fillets for $69.99 (at the time of this article) or purchase bacon-wrapped fillets for $59.99. Omaha Steaks also offers top sirloin, T-bone and porterhouse steaks, along with gourmet quality burgers and steak combos.

3. Gourmet seafood entrees, various prices
Along with their red meat offerings, Omaha Steaks has an impressive selection of seafood packages. Enjoy jumbo shrimp with a tangy cocktail sauce for $34.99, or try their hickory-marinated salmon fillets ($24.99 for 4.) You'll also find a wide variety of crab and lobster packages, or steak and seafood "surf and turf" combos for those who just can't choose between the two.

4. Flavored Coffee Collection, $64.95 (at the time of this article)
From Gevalia. For the coffee lover, this gift set offers a variety of flavors to suit any mood or taste: there's 8 oz. each of French vanilla, amaretto, cinnamon, hazelnut, vanilla nut, Irish creme, chocolate raspberry and mocha. Two stoneware mugs are included to round out this flavorful package. A decaf version is available for $69.95.

5. Christmas Tea For Two, $38.00 (at the time of this article)
If your loved one is more of a tea lover, Stash tea offers a delectable gift set featuring Nikki's Reindeer and Nutcracker cookies, one package each of Christmas Eve and Christmas Morning teas, two "cherry red" mugs and sugar swizzle sticks. Stash tea also recommends their old-fashioned peppermint cookies as a compliment to the gift set. The perfect gift to warm them up on a cold winter day.

6. Crate of Plenty, $39.99 (at the time of this article)
For the fan of cheeses and meats, Figis offers a 4 pound basket full of the things they crave - Colby, Edam, Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses; spreadable Creamy Country Cheddar and Cheddar with Bacon; Kave Kure Swiss Cheese Log with almonds; Beef, Beerwurst and Smoky Garlic sausages; Hot N' Spicy Beef Sticks; and Champagne and Sweet N' Hot mustards. Included is a red ribbon you can have personalized with one of several messages, including "Season's Greetings", "Merry Christmas" and "Happy Holidays".

7. Chocolate Lover's Dream, $39.99 (at the time of this article)
Prefer chocolate to cheese? Figi's also caters to your sweet tooth. Stuffed inside a wooden planter is nearly 2 pounds of delicious delights: raspberry truffles, assorted chocolates, chocolate walnut fudge, English toffee, bridge mix, mint creme, raspberry creme and buttercreme bars, chocolate wafers, chocolate raspberry sticks and foiled chocolate balls will ensure your loved one will enjoy this gift basket for months. This gift also has the option of personalizing a red ribbon.

8. New York Cheesecake, $31.99 (at the time of this article)
Galaxy Gourmet Desserts rounds out the "sweet" category (and the list) with their award-winning cheesecake, made with a blend of cream cheese and vanilla on a graham cracker crust. Galaxy offers the cheesecake six at a time, perfect as an end to any holiday meal - or if you prefer, you can wrap it, refrigerate it, and let your loved one enjoy them privately.