Gift Ideas for Grads.

"Where does your food come from?"

A recent informal survey of college seniors answered this question with two main sources: a cardboard take-out box and a microwave.

If you are searching for the perfect college graduation gift, we suggest you think outside the box. Skip the cap and gown wearing commemorative teddy bear or the alma mater sweatshirt. Instead, give grads the tools to break out of the box and into the kitchen. New graduates may be wrought with anxiety about the future, but eating should never be stressful. As graduates transition from cramped student residences to apartments with full kitchens it is also the perfect time to learn how to cook. Yet even the students surveyed who already lived in off-campus apartments reported having little more in their current kitchen than a microwave, a couple of dull knives and an old frying pan. Even an experienced chef would be challenged with so few resources.

The seniors also hoped to leave the days of eating cold pizza for breakfast in college, but needed basic cooking necessities to change their habits. They all voiced the desire to create simple, flavorful and healthy meals on a budget, but had no idea where to start. So what would these soon-to-be graduates want for their post-graduation dream kitchen? Hint: no one requested a fancy asparagus steamer or a fifteen-piece fondue set. Think basic. Popular requests included pots, pans, and utensils such as spatulas, whisks and tongs. Another essential kitchen item is a set of high quality culinary knives. If bringing a gift-wrapped frying pan to a party still sounds dull, consider these more creative requests such as a smoothie maker, juicer, or a panini sandwich press. One surveyed college senior admitted that his greatest fear surrounding post-graduation life was the inevitable early mornings at work. "Early" was defined as any time before noon. His ideal graduation gift? "Anything that produces a caffeinated liquid." Know a graduating night owl? To help minimize the pain of weekday mornings buy them a coffee maker with a timed start. Pair it with a quarter pound of fresh ground beans from your neighborhood java shop and they will be thanking you every day around seven am. Caffeine addicted students also confessed to spending up to five dollars on one frothy cappuccino. Help them stretch out their paycheck with a personal espresso machine. No more snobby baristas or waiting in line behind the finicky woman ordering a "skinny-sugar-free-extra-foamy-latte." All ready for the graduation party? Not quite. Give graduates the instruction manual to the kitchen: recipes. How about some healthy and delicious meal ideas, such as parmesan baked pasta or olive and goat cheese quesadillas. They can even search recipes alongside terms and techniques. The pizza delivery place will be officially taken off speed dial.

Great Grad Gifts:

• Coffee pot paired with freshly ground beans
  
• Espresso machine
  
• Panini sandwich press
  
• Pots
  
• Kitchen utensils (such as a spatula, whisk, large serving spoon, tongs)
  
• Set of culinary knives
  
• Smoothie blender
  
• Juicer
  
• Frying pan
  
• And a can of California black ripe olives for the pantry.