Best Gifts For Home Cooks 2021: Safely & Stylishly Transport Food Dishes This Holiday Season With A Portable Casserole Carrier Or Cupcake Carrier

Holiday season 2020 is upon us bringing with it many of the familiar joys -- family, friends, holiday celebrations... Along with some familiar (and not so familiar) stresses as well -- family, friends, holiday celebrations, lockdowns (for some).  Okay, while we are in new, unchartered territory this year, many things still remain the same...  One being the annual high dose of holiday stress that often, unfortunately, accompanies all the fun, exciting holiday preparation.  Alas, here at Sundaze Saltair, we are all about minimizing stress as much as humanly possible.  So, if there is a way to make your life easier, we will find it.  And one of the more timely and helpful gadgets to make your life easier this holiday season is the portable casserole carrier and its close relative, the cupcake carrier.

A History Of Perilous Travels With Food - Life Before The Portable Casserole Carrier

Even if you are not holding a holiday gathering at your home, more than likely you will be tasked with preparing something to take to someone else's home.  After all the hard work in the kitchen comes the challenge of getting your culinary masterpiece to its intended destination.  And if history is any indicator, transporting your signature dish to that holiday soiree is not exactly a piece of cake.  From spillage that occurs as you make your way - maybe not through the woods - but over the pot holes to grandmother's house, to squashed sides or sliding pies, holiday travel has been, and will continue to be, perilous for this most fragile and precious cargo.

Having spent hours slaving away to create the perfect dish, I'm pretty sure the last thing you want is to have to scrape it off the inside of your trunk and toss it in the trash.

One Less Stress This Holiday Season With Stylish Yet Functional Portable Food Carriers To Securely Transport Your Best Holiday Dishes

With this in mind, I was utterly surprised and impressed this Thanksgiving when I saw my aunt casually but confidently stroll into my parent's home with no less than three dishes she had prepared.  In contrast to other guests who arrived stressed about the condition of their dishes and how they withstood the road trip, my aunt was calm, cool and collected despite having transported three dishes alone in her car.  Placing them on the table she revealed a perfectly intact side dish, appetizer and cake.

The Secret To Stress Free Delivery Of Holiday Dishes Is Also A Great Stylish & Practical Gift For The Avid Home Chef Or Baker In Your Life 

What pray-tell was her secret?  As soon as she laid her cargo on the table it was obvious - she had packed each one of her dishes in some version of a portable sturdy, structured casserole carrier or dessert carrier/travel bag.  Genius!  Yet, why aren't these more readily available?  Being immensely practical and stylish too, they struck me as the perfect gift.  For anyone really, and especially for any cooks or bakers on your gift-giving list.  Turns out my aunt had received hers as gifts in recent years as well.  Let's take a look at why these carriers work so well and are essentials for any aspiring chefs and foodies in your life.

**Note: This post contains affiliate links for which a small commission may be earned if you decide to make a purchase through a link.

This Fun & Functional Insulated Portable Casserole Carrier Gets Your Goods To Their Destination Warm, Intact & In Style

This adorable, fall-themed insulated carrier pictured above not only keeps dishes safe and secure but the insulation also keeps dishes warm or cool in transit.  This particular colorful fall/autumn, apple pie version, pictured here, unfortunately, is no longer available, but I found a very similar one in a great burgundy color below.  It also comes in a bunch of other fun colors, too.

With sturdy structured support and a comfortable handle grip that makes it easy to carry, you can feel confident that your dishes will have a spill-free ride no matter how many speed bumps or sharp turns.  The leak-proof lining means any messy drips will easily wipe clean.  Constructed with Triple-tek foam insulation and Temperfoil lining, this carrier has exceptional heat and cold retention.  The secure zipper makes it easy to open or close for extra security.  It also comes with a zippered pocket compartment that allows you to transport any necessary accessories from napkins to utensils to whatever assorted odds and ends you desire.  At 16.5 x 10.5 x 4, it should be able to accommodate many of your signature dishes.

There is also an expandable version pictured below that measures 16.5 x 10.5 x 6.8 inches in the same great burgundy plaid color:

 

Here is an even longer expandable double insulated carrier that comes in a floral print and in a variety of solid colors.  This one measures 21 x 10 x 13 inches:

Transport Your Dishes With A Sleek & Durable Wide Culinary Tote Made Of Organic Cotton Canvas

I was also utterly charmed by the French country look of this stylish casserole carrier tote pictured above.  When I inquired, my aunt said she was gifted this trés chic and sustainable portable culinary carrier/tote which is both plastic- and elastic-free.  It was initially designed as a pie carrier, allowing you to smoothly maneuver a pie inside without disturbing any of the crust.  In this "wide" style it is intended to accommodate and carry all manner of larger dishes to a party or potluck.  Made of sustainable and durable canvas, it possesses two handles that meet in the center over the opening ensuring that your dish remains upright avoiding any spills in transit.  The carrier holds up to a 12 inch round or square dish, platter or casserole.

The natural organic cotton canvas tote comes with a choice of six different colors for the lining so you can customize them for every deserving home chef on your "nice" list this holiday season..

Pyrex Easy Grab Glass Storage Casserole Container & Lid - Large Handles & A Secure Lid Makes For An Easy Transport

Larger handles on this 2-Quart glass baking dish ensure a good grip when moving from the counter to the oven to the table.  A BPA-free secure lid keeps food fresh and minimizes spills until you are ready to reheat or bring your dish to the party.  Taking you from storage to reheating, the high-quality tempered glass is dishwasher, freezer, microwave and preheated oven safe.

A Cupcake Carrier For Desserts

Few desserts are as much of a hassle to haul on a car trip than cupcakes.  This nifty cupcake carrier takes much out of the stress out of your travels and allows you to arrive at your party destination with perfectly frosted cupcakes perfectly intact.  Possessing a two-tier design that allows you to transport up to 24 cupcakes at once, the tier part can be removed to allow you to house and carry an entire cake - frosting and all.  BPA free, this patented design is also dishwasher safe.

Arrive At Your Destination With Perfect Casseroles & Desserts Every Time With Portable Casserole & Cupcake Carriers

During this wonderful season, if you are like most of us, at some point you will be called upon to create and deliver all manner of  holiday goodies.  From Thanksgiving side dishes to Christmas cookies, cupcakes or casseroles to New Year's appetizers, you want to guarantee that all your hard work in creating that signature holiday dish does not go to waste.  Treat yourself and be sure your culinary creations and treats arrive safely in one piece to their destination.   Or help make the Christmas and the holiday season a little less stressful and more merry and bright with these ideal gifts for the avid cook or baker on your gift-giving list.

***********

How do you transport your signature dishes to holiday parties?  Any holiday dish haul horror stories or mishaps?  Share in the comments below!