Good taste: Gift ideas for cooks, food lovers

The foodie on your list is sure to appreciate one of these items.

Bottle Top: Not everyone enjoys putting their lips on an aluminum can. (Some of us are tender human daffodils.) For those who care, one snap of a Bottle Top to the top of a can eliminates that hazard. They fit virtually any size can - yes, even beer and energy drinks - and are available in a set of 12. $10 at www.buybottletop.com, Walgreens, Walmart, Target, CVS.

Speak n' Brew: Manufacturer Primula claims this is the world's first talking coffee maker. This stainless steel 10-cup machine allows anyone to brew a 10-cup pot of coffee by speaking the time they want their beverage to be brewed. (You also can go old-timey and use buttons.) $79.99 at Macy's, Bed Bath & Beyond, Amazon.com.

Brew Tender: Chill and serve up to 80 ounces of your favorite drinks with this incredible party dispenser. It's built for indoor-outdoor use. Users can illuminate the beverage inside for a dramatic effect. Or hallucination. $59.95 at www.taverntoys.com.

Funny aprons: Enough with the "Kiss the cook" aprons. Here's a set that says, "I like to cook and offend non-meat eaters." Messages include "Vegetarian Except For Bacon," "Vegetarians Taste Like Fresh Pork" and "You Ain't Got The Guts." $15.99 to $18.99 at store.cottonfactory.com/chefaprons.html.

Wishbone necklace: We've never thought of turkey bones as haute couture, but this necklace by fashion designer Cynthia Rowley certainly has us thinking otherwise. A word of warning about the 18 karat gold-plated necklace with a lobster clasp for closure: You break it and the only person who will get lucky will be your jewelry repairman; $75 at www.cynthiarowley.com.

"Cook or Be Cooked": Food Network's first game for Wii, "Cook or Be Cooked" teaches players practical cooking skills with more than 30 recipes developed by chefs in the Food Network kitchens. From cracking an egg to oiling a pan or seasoning the perfect steak, the game teaches techniques that can be applied in the real kitchen; $39.99 at most large retailers and game stores.

Brrr ale: Mama told you to never go empty-handed to a dinner or party. In keeping with the season, you can take a six-pack of Widmer Brothers' seasonal Brrr ale. This brew is available only from October through January. There's even a built-in gift tag in the carrier; $8.99 at ABC Liquors, Total Wine & More.

Herb Pots: Grow your favorite herbs in a tater pot that just might be too cute. Each porcelain pot comes with soil and seeds to grow either basil, oregano or mint. Imported from Japan, which knows from cute and tiny kitsch; $14 at fredflare.com/.

Designer lunch tote: Designer Cinda B asks, "If breakfast is the most important meal of the day, then why can't lunch can be the most fun and stylish?" I admit, I really don't have a good answer. This bag features an interior pocket for an ice pack or snack, a zip-top closure, an adjustable strap and a flat bottom for easy packing; $39 at www.cindab.com/catalog/Accessories/Lunch-Tote.html.

Recycle your pans: Someone on your list need a new set of pots and pans? Calphalon's ReNew program offers cooks a way to recycle their old cookware after purchasing a set of new Unison Nonstick cookware. After purchasing the 10-piece cook set, register at www.calphalonrenew.com to print a prepaid shipping label to mail the old set - any brand eligible. You'll get two, 100-percent recycled cotton shopper bags as a thank you; $599.99 at Williams-Sonoma, Macy's, Bloomingdales, Crate & Barrel, Dillards, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Cooking.com, Amazon.