By Marie-Antoinette Issa.
Mother's Day is the perfect time to let the incredible women in our lives know just how much we love them! While breakfast in bed is a classic gesture, Sunday, May 12 also offers an excellent opportunity to surprise your food-loving Mamma with something truly special
From dessert-inspired beauty products to DIY picnic baskets, here's a curated list of Mother’s Day Foodie gift ideas that will spoil her soul - and treat her tastebuds!
Life’s a picnic:
Celebrate Mother's Day with a picturesque picnic in the great outdoors. Leave it to the pros - like Balmoral Hamper Club - whose original hamper comes with a bottle of bubbly and either a tote, hamper bag or wine cooler to keep it crisp.
Or, pack a stylish picnic basket filled with gourmet goodies, including artisanal cheeses, crusty bread, fresh fruits and sparkling beverages. Don't forget to add some sweet treats like chocolate truffles or macarons for a touch of indulgence.
Whether you choose to picnic in a nearby park or venture further afield to a scenic countryside setting, your foodie Mum will appreciate the thoughtfulness and effort behind this gift.
Have your cake…and wear it too:
So, Mum loves her sweets AND her skincare? Fortunately, a growing number of beauty brands are making it easier than ever to indulge in all your foodie Mum's senses with a selection of luxurious products inspired by her favourite culinary delights.
From gourmand fragrances, such as Burberry Goodess (a unique aromatic featuring three different notes of vanilla, including vanilla caviar) to decadent coffee body scrubs - like the Lillian Muir Freddo Espresso Body Scrub and fruity lip balms in ‘berry adorable packaging (these are by ModelCo) there's no reason why Mum can’t smell as good as the cakes she bakes.
A sweet-scented candle - like Palm Beach Collection's Coconut & Lime - is also an excellent option for Mums with a craving for out-of-season tropical fruit!
Spill the (high) tea:
Delicate desserts, sophisticated sandwiches and British-inspired beverages are almost every Mum’s cup of er…tea. So, spoil yours with an elegant afternoon of indulgence with high tea at a luxurious hotel, boutique tearoom or even boat!
This year Sydney’s Hyatt Regency will bring an Australian, botanical twist to its classic high tea offering, by serving up local gins packed with native flavours alongside signature scones and crustless sambos. Across at Circular Quay, Luna Lu’s take on the occasion is delivered with a uniquely Asian touch, where spring rolls, dumplings and prawn toast, feature alongside mille-feuilles and macarons on the menu.
For something really special, Sydney’s most popular superyacht, ‘The Jackson’ will be hosting a Mother’s Day high tea with dessert queen Anna Polyviou.
Up North, the W Brisbane is also launching a two-day special Mother’s Day edition of their new Pretty In Pink High Tea at Living Room Bar. Where mum can step into a pink wonderland of sweet and savoury treats, with a pretty pink twist.
On a budget? Try it at home and treat Mum’s taste buds to a selection of scones with clotted cream and jam and an array of miniature pastries and cakes. Pair the delectable treats with a pot of fragrant tea or a glass of bubbly for an extra special touch.
Culinary crusades and epicurean escapades:
Embark on a culinary adventure with your Mum by booking a food tour of her favourite city or neighbourhood exploring local hidden gems and eateries. Or, head out of town to a nearby foodie destination and explore its bustling food markets, charming cafes and breweries.
Melbourne’s Queen Victoria Market’s Ultimate Foodie Tour, for example, is a delicious and fascinating two-hour guided walking tour of Melbourne’s iconic open-air market by the same name. Mum gets the chance to taste fresh produce, discover unique ingredients and learn tips and tricks for shopping and cooking as she meets some of the beloved traders.
However, most capital cities will offer similar immersive experiences that will enable Mum to create lasting memories and satisfy her cravings for culinary exploration.
Doing things by the cookbook!
Why make a booking, when you can buy a book? Whether she's out to explore new recipes, refine her techniques or replicate the work of her favourite MasterChef, a cookbook provides an opportunity for Mum to experiment with different flavours and fosters creativity in the kitchen.
If you’re looking for a little inspo, some of the best new offerings can be found at Mabu Mabu, NGV Design Store and ACMI in Federation Square. Such as Mabu Mabu – The Cookbook, Firefly: The Big Damn Cookbook and Now for Something Sweet by Monday Morning Cooking Club.
Otherwise, if she’s a pizza fan, the home oven gurus, Gozney has just released a tome packed with 75 recipes for delicious slices. Bonus hack: She’ll probably need someone to sample the fruits of her labour…
What’s cooking good looking?
While Mum may already be a Queen in the kitchen, a hands-on cooking class led by a professional Chef can offer her a fun way to truly indulge in her culinary creativity without worrying about cleaning up!
Whether she would like to master the art of French pastry, perfect the skills of sushi rolling or learn the secrets of regional Italian cuisine VIVE Cooking School is a great place to start. Alternatively, for something really special, may we suggest a private cooking class with Chef Michele Guarneri? After years of working in hatted restaurants, he certainly knows a thing or two to make mother say Mamma Mia in the kitchen! Bookend it with a wine-tasting class like the one on offer at Bottega Coco, for the ultimate dishwasher-free night out.
Tailor made for her tastes:
Customised creations are the secret to transforming simple gifts into something special. For example, check out Archie Rose’s tailored gin, vodka or whiskey bottles made with bespoke booze and label designs, or, Altina Drinks’ alcohol-free versions which feature a personalised poem by renowned PoemBoii.
Other ideas include an embroidered apron by Cargo Crew, premium spices packaged in elegant jars, engraved kitchen utensils and monogrammed chopping boards. Whatever you opt for, a tailored treat is sure to make Mum feel like her individuality is truly worth celebrating.
Think outside the box:
A box crammed with Mum’s favourite goodies will instantly elevate you to favourite child status. Check out the range by Handsel, who hand pick, hand pack and hand deliver carefully considered and curated packages like the Baker’s Bunch which includes a cookbook, linen tea towel, spatula, apron and more.
Or keep the Mother’s Day vibes flowing all year and surprise Mum with a monthly food or drink subscription box - curated with gourmet goodies and artisanal treats - delivered every four weeks.
Whether she's a cheese queen, dessert diva or cocktail connoisseur (in which case look into The Curatif Club) with a bit of research, you’ll be sure to find a subscription box to cater to her tastes. Plus, with repeat delivery, a food subscription box is the gift that keeps on giving long after Mother's Day has passed.
A latte love:
Finally, for the caffeine-loving Mum, a quality coffee machine is the ultimate Mother's Day gift, with options (like the Vittoria Espressotoria Piccolo Coffee Capsule Machine) starting at less than $100 and others (including the Jura z10) available for those with a slightly bigger budget, it’s now easier than ever to spoil Mum with a sleek and stylish device.
Pair with a selection of gourmet coffee beans or artisanal blends (iconic Melbourne coffee roasters St Ali has currently partnered with Australia Post to offer a special gift pack featuring a pair of cosy purple slippers and 250 g of limited edition St Ali coffee blend 'Love your Mum) and rest assured that Mum will be well equipped to brew her favourite beverages. Whenever the craving strikes!
