Holiday Gifts for Shanghai Foodies

Get Cooking!

Love el Willy’s scallop ceviche? Now you can whip it up at home, along with 31 other delicious dishes from his restaurant, including the popular crispy suckling pig. The first cookbook for Guillermo "Willy" Trullas, el Willy, Three Years in China is divided into two parts: The Sexy Chef and The Sexy Recipes.

RMB 320. 20 Donghu Lu, near Huaihai Lu. Tel: 5404 5757. Web: www.el-willy.com

Bringin’ Home the Beer

Cheers In knows that the best way to ring in the New Year is with a nice, cold brew in hand. If you’re stuck in Shanghai for the holidays, order its Christmas special. With a dozen beers from as many countries, you’ll be sent on a boozy trip around the world – all from the comfort of your own home.  

RMB 168 (including delivery). Cheers In. 25 Yongkang Lu, near Jiashan Lu. Tel: 6418 8400. Web: http://cheers-in.com

Haute Couture Cakes

Foodie girlfriend also a bag fanatic? With Shangri-La’s 3D baked goods, now she can have her cake and wear it too! Chef Yusuf Yaran custom makes each bag according to the client’s needs and palate, and has yet to come across a design he can’t turn into a confection.

RMB 888 – 88,888 (depending on design). Pudong Shangri-La. 33 Fucheng Lu, near Lujiazui Huan Lu. Tel: 6882 8888.

Fondue Fun

Curling up with a bubbling vat of gruyere sounds like the recipe for a great Christmas to us. Lemon Zest makes it easy with its Swissmar fondue set – not just fun to dip bread in, this little cast iron cutie comes in a sassy red colour that makes for the perfect countertop conversation piece.

RMB 1,132. Lemon Zest. 1 Taojiang Lu, near Dongping Lu. Tel: 6466 9099. Web: www.lemonzestlife.com

Tasty Spa Treatments

Utilising the healing properties of food, spas are incorporating ingredients into their treatments. Try the healing ginger therapy treatment at Apsara, offering four ‘courses’ of relaxation with the therapeutic root, while Anantara Spa at The PuLi offers a three-hour-plus Green Tea Purification Journey that promotes cleansing. 

RMB 1,280. Apsara Spa. 457 Shanxi Bei Lu. Tel: 6258 5580. Web: www.apsara.com.cn

RMB 2,280 + 15%. Anantara Spa at The PuLi Hotel. Tel: 3203 9999. Web: http://spa.anantara.com

Free Delivery

Nothing beats a hand-delivered meal by the motorcycling boys in orange on a blustery winter day, and now you can give the gift of delivery to your friends and family. To purchase your gift certificate that covers restaurants from Simply Thai to Wagas, just email [email protected]. 

Sherpa’s. Tel: 6209 6209. Web: www.sherpa.com.cn

Get Cooking!

Always wanted to recreate that yuxiang qiezi from your neighbourhood Chinese restaurant? Look no further than Chinese Cooking Workshop’s wok lessons. With wet market tours and cooking classes, you’ll get all the ingredients you need to make your favourite Chinese dishes at home. 

RMB 200 (per person). Chinese Cooking Workshop. Room 108-109, 2 Dongping Lu, near Hengshan Lu. Tel: 137 0187 3243. Web: http://chinesecookingworkshop.com