'Tis the Season: Kirkland Holiday Events and Gifts for Your Foodie Friends

'Tis the season, as they say, and food-oriented businesses around Kirkland are busy preparing, packaging and getting festive. Here are some things going on around town.

Holiday Gift Boards

This year, don’t settle for a generic mall gift basket. Sure, there used to be a time when giant summer sausages and carefully wrapped pears marked the height of a classy food gift, but the tides have shifted. The foodie in your life is longing for handcrafted treats, unusual ingredients and a touch of whimsy. Enter the DERU Market holiday gift boards, themed for a variety of tastes.

For the aspiring mixologist, try the cocktail trio ($30) or cocktail syrup four pack ($36) that contain such flavors as apple spice, preserved lemon-thyme, ginger or even lemongrass. DERU’s commitment to local and organic ingredients even applies to the cranberry syrup with berries sourced from the only transitional (working towards organic certification) cranberry farm in Washington.

Does that special someone have a sweet tooth? There are several gift boards that will satisfy. The sweet trio ($22), ice cream toppers ($28), sweet treats board ($65) and the ultimate foodie board ($125) all feature DERU’s fantastic chocolate and caramel sauces plus a jar of Big Spoon Jam. On the higher end, expect delectable treats like peppermint bark, candied nuts, fruit-nut crackers and holiday biscotti.

If that doesn’t have you drooling, it is either because you have never tasted DERU’s brilliant baked goods or because you might prefer the savory side of life. The savory board ($65) is your best choice and, among other treats, includes Beecher’s flagship cheese, crisp grissini (long snappy breadsticks) and a jar of specialty pickles. No mere cucumbers here -- think chanterelle mushrooms, fennel, romanesco or figs.

For a complete list of items on each board, check out the options DERU Market’s website under the “Larder” tab or click here. Holiday gift boards will be available beginning December 1.

Events and Classes

Maybe you’re looking for a fun food experience to share with a friend, child or coworker. Between Sur La Table and DERU Market, Kirkland has you covered.

Kids aged 8-12 will love the opportunity to get their hands in the mix at the Kid’s 2-Day Holiday Cooking Series ($110) offered December 20/21 and 27/28. The mini chefs will learn both sweet and savory applications. The Teens 3-Day Holiday Cooking Series ($150) will take them on culinary tours through Mexico and Italy with a final day of baking skills.

For adults, class choices are abundant. From Holiday Hors d’oeuvres to a 2-Day Intensive Baking workshop to Holiday Tamales to Classic Christmas Dinner -- seriously, the list could go on! Sign up soon while seats are still available.

DERU Market is hosting gingerbread mansion decorating workshops for both kids and separately for adults-only. Grown-ups get to indulge their inner-child on December 1 from 7:30-10:30. The $60 fee covers two participants and includes wood-fired pizza, treats and holiday beverages -- oh, and you get to decorate and take home your gingerbread mansion. Bring your kids to the December 16 afternoon class -- light lunch, treats, cider and hot chocolate are included along with what will surely be the most beautiful gingerbread house ever created.

The Woodmark Hotel is hosting its fourth annual Santa Tea on December 9 featuring live music, cookie decorating and photos ops with the big man, himself. Ticket prices ($45/adult; $20/child) also include sweet and savory bites, tea and hot cocoa. Or, join friends at bin on the lake for an Italian feast on Christmas Eve. The “Feast of the Seven Fishes” features an abundance of seafood -- one for each of the seven sacraments, ten stations of the cross and 12 apostles plus Jesus. It is sure to be a night where tradition and creativity result in a unique culinary experience.