No one ever buys me whisky. It’s a problem with being a professional whisky nerd; everyone assumes I have plenty already, or they’re afraid they’ll pick the wrong thing. But I love getting whisky as a gift, especially as I’m of an age where I have all the stuff I need, so a nice bottle to enjoy is always welcome. But I get why people don’t want to take the risk when I’m so loudly and frequently opinionated about booze. Safer to stick with silly socks. 

So what to get the booze professional in your life? Or chef, or barista, or waiter? To help with holiday shopping, we’ve reached out to hospo folks around Australia for what’s on their wishlist this silly season to put together the A+ gastronomic gift guide for 2024.

The Chef: Victor Liong
Lee Ho Fook, Melbourne

Every hard-working hospo professional should have a hobby outside of work, something unrelated that can be a source of calm and creativity. For chef Victor Liong, it’s gardening. “I’ve got a new obsession lately in the garden – I’m really getting into topiary (clipping shrubs into shapes), so I’d love a pair of Japanese topiary shears. It’s like an extension of my love for Japanese chef knives and tools without being work-related,” he says.

Check out UK-based seller of beautiful Japanese gardening tools Niwaki (they ship internationally) to see what Victor is frothing over this season. 

But chefs really do love Japanese knives, so even if they’re fully stocked on steel, chances are they’d still love another one to add to the collection for the sheer aesthetic beauty of the things. Try Chef’s Armory in Melbourne for all things sharp and pointy, and Made In Japan for beautiful tableware. 

For something more Secret Santa appropriate, a line cook at Sparrow’s in Melbourne told me he loves little kitchen gadgets like this tweezer and tasting spoon combo at Chef’s Hat.

The Booze Professional: Jessica Arnott
Idle Hands Drinks Co., Perth

Jessica Arnott is a former bartender and now Brand Manager for bottled cocktail company Idle Hands out of Perth. She’s also a mum, so sleep is a priceless commodity. “I want a sleep mask with Bluetooth headphones in it,” she says. “They’re great for people who work weird hours and need to block out the light while also listening to some sleep music or meditations to wind down after work.”

I can attest to the utility of these things, as my partner Cara Devine, who’s currently making the transition from frontline hospo work to more daytime hours – meaning her sleep schedule is all over the place – loves her bluetooth headphones that come in a comfy headband for sleeping.

There are a tonne of different options on the market, but try Dreamsleep Australia for an Aussie owned and operated option, ’cos Jeff Bezos does not need more of our money.

The Sommelier: Ryan Smith
Bar Rochford, Canberra

“I’d be wishing for some bottles from some young, up-and-coming Aussie winemakers using sustainable practices that I could add to my cellar collection,” says Ryan Smith, Venue Manager and Co-owner at Canberra’s multi-award-winning Bar Rochford. 

Smith suggests Bridget Mac from Werkstatt based in Mount Gambier, James Erskine from Jauma based in Adelaide Hills, and Lewis Martin from Ravensworth/Stratosphere based in the Canberra District. “I love the work these winemakers do to promote sustainable and minimal intervention approaches to showcase where they come from, while not sacrificing quality of product. I’m also a massive fan of chilled reds over the warmer months, anything that’s juicy and fresh but a little heavier than a typical rosé,” he says. 

Smith also rates Noble Rot magazine, a really interesting read for anyone wanting to stay up to date with the wine scene, plus “they’re beautifully put together and look great on the coffee table.”

The Cicerone: Briony Liebich
Flavour Logic, South Australia

Briony Liebich is a professional beer educator and judge who probably knows more about the frothy stuff than just about anyone in Australia. Her go-to glass at home is the Rastal Teku Beer Glass. “I'm not too fussy with glassware, but it's just nice to have some I only use for beer, she says. “These are perfect for when my husband and I share a can of something nice.”

For beer-soaked reading material, Liebich recommends Tasting Beer by Randy Mosher. “It covers all aspects of beer culture, history and ingredients in an easy to digest way,” she says. And she’s always happy to get a big bottle of festive style beer like kriek, Tripel or Dubbel. There’s plenty of fun stuff carefully curated by the team at Mr. West, and they even have beer subscriptions starting from $48/month. 

I know plenty of bartenders (myself included) who’d be over the moon with a big bottle of vintage Rodenbach to enjoy over the holidays, available at Purvis Beer. And if you think the beer lover in your life would appreciate a bit of upskilling, sign them up for one of Liebich’s excellent workshops here.

The Barista: Will Hilder
Cumulus, Melbourne

Long-time barista and restaurant manager Will Hilder has some great recommendations for espresso making tools for the caffeine obsessive. “Anything from the Acaia brand is great,” he says, “but the Lunar is the gold standard for coffee scales at the moment.” Designed for consistent precision, the Lunar allows you to brew your own way with customisable parameters, a choice of automated brewing modes, and a flow rate indicator to monitor extraction in real time.

For something a little easier on the wallet, check out the beautifully engineered coffee tools from Normcore like this WDT tool for breaking up clumps in espresso.

In The Trenches: young frontline hospo workers from all around Australia

Despite the many cool ideas above, by far the most common wish I got from the many young chefs, bartenders and waiters was decidedly anti-stuff. “I prefer experiences over things,” says bartender Corby Small from The Gresham in Brisbane. “Live music, museum exhibits, nice dining experiences, that sort of thing,” she says. 

It’s a sentiment I heard over and over. In an industry where we’re often at work while others enjoy cultural, family and community activities, hospitality pros want to spend quality time with their friends and loved ones, more than just sinking piss at knock-offs. “I don’t really want stuff,” agrees bartender Lee Palomares from The Catfish in Melbourne. “I think we’re all sort of over the materialist gift giving, and what we want is to just spend time with people we love. So, y’know, take me to the arcade or something.”

Rather than just giving someone a voucher, organise something you can do together like a traditional Japanese bathhouse experience at Sense of Self in Melbourne or Ryokan Gojyuan in Sydney, and speak to the hospo worker in your life through the much needed love language of quality time.