By Sarah Willcocks

Out of all the seven deadly sins, the one I lapse into most often is gluttony. I’m the type of person that lives to eat (and cook) not one that only eats to live. I show people I love them with food – if I cook for you I care for you – and see if you can guess how much by how many courses are dished up. Most of the greatest celebrations revolve around food and admittedly a few glasses of bubbly; from hangover-soothing Sunday Yum Cha with friends to chewy pavlova piled high with passionfruit at holiday time to the last barbeque of a long, hot summer with that holy trinity of sausage, sauce and lots of caramelised onions. Life is too short to diet. Who can imagine living without crispy roast potatoes, squishy, salty cheese or juicy mangoes? Who would want to? If you tend to inhabit a kitchen as much as I do you may as well make every time you cook a luxury. Now, who wants to come over for dinner?

onya311. Stoneware designer Brian Turks was inspired to create Bison after his studies in archeology and digs in the Middle East had him pulling out broken ceramics, like ancient shards of history, from the earth. Perhaps future civilizations will find the remnants of these pretty Bison herb pots in centuries to come? For now they would be gorgeous sitting in a pastel-hued row along a sunny windowsill. There’s nothing more satisfying than having fresh parsley, chives and mint at your fingertips.

2. A drizzle of olive oil can make just about anything taste better (and for the cooking disaster-inclined so can a squeeze of lemon). This printed olive oil decanter is designed by Mozi – love the quintessential Australian name of the label. From the imaginations of creative sisters Olivia and Camilla, Mozi’s homeware designs often feature childhood pets in the form of a poodle, rabbit and blackbird.

3. Ugly slogan aprons are stashed in third drawers down the nation over, only to be whipped out for a brief laugh when dad has had a beer or two at the annual family reunion barbeque. Wonderland Avenue aprons are a chic alternative when you want to bake a batch of cupcakes in style. This apron is handmade in a designer Peony-printed fabric in Byron Bay by the crafty Elke Ricks. You’ll want to “kiss the chef” just because they look so cute in this frilled piece.

4. This weighty chopping board, by Sydney-based homewares label Dandi, seems too lovely to actually chop things on. Made from sustainable bamboo the naturally grained surface has the image of a native Lorikeet and Grevillea sprigs etched into it. Isn’t that a much better gift idea for a culinary-inclined overseas friend than a clip-on koala or packs of Tim Tams? Ok, maybe nothing will beat the Tims Tams.

5. My savoury tooth means I don’t go gaga over sweet stuff often. The exception is for the deepest, darkest chocolate – the thin kind that snaps when you bite into it. Spike it with peppermint, cinnamon or chilli and I’m all yours. With Cadbury currently taking hits over recent changes to their famous recipe, there may be no choice but to seek out other avenues in which to get that theobroma cacao hit. These Kennedy & Wilson choccies are made with as much care as they put into their wines in the Yarra Valley, Victoria. Inspired by world-renowned Valrhona chocolates, they aim to create the best chocolate in Australia. I’ll put my hand up to be the official Kennedy & Wilson taste-tester!