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Feast on these Father's Day gifts

By JANET K. KEELER
Published June 8, 2005

Father's Day is June 19 and for dads who like to cook, or at the least play with their food, there is no shortage of gift ideas. From cookware to barware, mail-order ingredients to male-friendly cookbooks, you'll find something for your foodie father (or the father of your children).

Peruse local kitchen shops, such as Beans About Cooking in Clearwater and Belleair Bluffs, or check out discounters such at TJ Maxx. If you order online or by phone, do it now. And don't pay the big money for quick shipping. Enclose a picture of what you bought in a card. The gift will arrive shortly.

Here are some ideas to make his mouth water, and if you're lucky, you might get an invitation to dinner. Kids, no matter what age, have their ways, don't they?

- JANET K. KEELER, Times food editor

Wine-barrel staves, part of grillmeister Steven Raichlen's new line of accessories, puts retired barrels to good use. Place staves, or slats, over the coals or gas burner of a grill to add smoky oak and red-wine flavors to meat and seafood. Each bundle of nine costs $16.50. Call toll-free 1-800-634-3537 or click on www.shopping.msn.com Also consider cedar planks for grilling salmon. Look for them at kitchen shops or at www.williams-sonoma.com

"The Marshmallow Shooter provides safe, ammo-licious fun for the whole family!" That's what the press release says though we doubt Mom would be so effusive about shooting marshmallows out of a toy gun. But it's not her day, is it? The rapid-fire blaster shoots marshmallows up to 30 feet. For $24.95 you get the blaster and a small supply of minimarshmallows. Order at www.marshmallowshooter.com

The Brew Keg Premium Edition Microbrewery System from Mr. Beer allows Dad to make his own brewski. The Brew Keg produces 20 12-ounce bottles of beer every week. Dad's first beer will be ready in 14 days. The $29.99 kit includes everything needed to get started. Call Mr. Beer toll-free at 1-800-852-4263 or click on www.mrbeer.com

Stop by Starbucks and get Pop a gift card for $25, $50 or $100. If you're feeling especially generous, register the card at the store or online (www.starbucks.com) and you can reload it when Dad gets down to the dregs.

Rick Stein's Complete Seafood Ten Speed Press, $40; 2004 is this year's No. 1 cookbook according to the James Beard Association. British author Rick Stein offers 150 delicious recipes, but what's better is step-by-step instructional color photos and classification of seafood in an easy-to-understand way. Look for it at local bookstores or order from www.amazon.com or other online booksellers.

A humorous and slightly risque apron will give Dad a chuckle and keep his Rolling Stones T-shirt from getting stained while grilling or making spaghetti sauce. We found a fun assortment at www.nakedaprons.com including this naughty apron in the style of Colombian painter Fernando Botero. It's $15.

Tickle his inner cowboy with Williams-Sonoma's monogrammed steak brand. Can't you just imagine the glee he'll get from personalizing steaks and chops with his initials? The brand is $40. Call toll-free 1-877-812-6235 or click on www.williams-sonoma.com Order by Monday to receive in time for Father's Day.

When a guy buys hot sauces with names such as Ay! Chihuahua, Caboom! and Insanity, he wants people to see them. How about a shelf to display the mouth-burning collection? Just don't expect him to turn the bottles with the more unsavory names to the back. You know, like smack this or kick that. Cabinets that hold 15 to 75 bottles can be ordered by calling 206 439-0338 or at www.zipcabs.com Prices are $60 to $170.

To cook like a pro, Dad must have chunky salt in bowls, at the least kosher salt and, at the most, trendy artisanal Hawaiian sea salt. And pepper? Don't buy it finely ground; purchase whole peppercorns from India. A selection of both can be paired with grinders. You can spend a little or a lot $10 for an 8-ounce jar of French fleur de sel or $150 for silver Peugeot grinders. Lots of online sources, including www.salttraders.com and www.surlatable.com Check out bay area kitchen shops first for advice and suggestions.

Tiffany's clever silver oil-can vermouth dispenser will ensure that Dad's martinis will be desert dry. The 4-inch novelty is $235 at Tiffany's at International Plaza in Tampa or it can be ordered by calling toll-free 1-800-843-3269 or online at www.tiffanys.com A classy gift for a classy guy.

[Last modified June 7, 2005, 10:35:54]