The Gift of Gadgetry

GelPro Mats

Without a doubt, the most popular gift I gave last Christmas was a GelPro kitchen floor mat. Every time my sister prepares a meal in the ranch kitchen, she comments on how much she appreciates the cushioning it provides for her rebuilt knees while she's standing and cooking. Indeed, the gel-filled mats relieve the standing stress of knowledgeable restaurant chefs and home cooks alike. The Austin-based company produces its marvelous mats at factories in nearby Leander and Waco. The mats come in different sizes, colors, and finishes in the price range of $100 to $150 and are worth every penny. Anyone who spends much time standing in the kitchen will appreciate this gift forever. Order online at www.gelpro.com. – V.B.W.

Supper Club Gift Certificates

One of the hottest local trends over the past year is the emergence of supper clubs as a component of our diverse culinary scene. Austin chefs and caterers are creating distinctive dinner parties and events at private homes and venues all over town. Many of these meals are in the same price range ($40-$75) as a good restaurant meal but with the added benefit of a complimentary cocktail or the opportunity to bring your own beer or wine. Most of the marketing and reservations are done via websites, e-mail blasts, or announcements on social networking sites, helping to keep things affordable. A gift certificate to any of the following supper clubs would make a delicious present.

Hostess Hannah Calvert sends out an e-mail to her Supper Underground (www.supperunderground.com) mailing list and chooses dinner guests via a lottery system for dinner parties in private homes several times a year.

Locavores Jesse Griffiths and Tamara May­field present everything from seasonal farm dinners to post-hog butchering feasts and Texas seafood samplers under their Dai Due Sup­per Club (www.daidueaustin.com) banner.

Hosteria Verde (www.hosteriaverde.com) owner Anne Rutt-Enriquez throws themed dinner parties in such diverse locales as the Wally Workman Gallery, the Caswell House, and the Monarch.

Caterer Gina Burchenal and chef Kristine Kittrell collaborate on seasonal ethnic dinners as the Moveable Feast (themoveablefeast austin@gmail.com), presenting meals in private West Austin homes.

2 Dine 4 Fine Catering (www.2dine4.com) owner Stephen Shallcross has a secret weapon for the Supper Friends dinners he offers every month – the Swoop House, a vintage cottage for private entertaining on the same East Austin property as his catering facility. – V.B.W.