Different kind of fork to check for doneness

One of the hottest gift items for Father's Day, June 20, is the barbecue fork thermometer that takes the guesswork out of cooking foods safely on the grill. There are several versions available, including the TruCook ThermoFork (pictured), which instantly reads the food's internal temperature. We've tried it. It really works. The fork is available at Target stores and Bed, Bath & Beyond. Also, Brookstone, known for its clever gadgets, offers one that blinks when the meat or poultry is ready. Both sell for around $25 each.

For a father who loves cookies

Of course, if Dad would rather eat than cook, you can indulge him with Death by Chocolate Cookies, which are wonderfully decadent treats available by calling 757-229-8610. The cookies -- including Absolutely Deep Dark Chocolate Fudge Cookies and Mrs. D's Chocolate Chip Cookies -- are the creation of Marcel Desaulniers, acclaimed cookbook author and chef of the Trellis Restaurant in Williamsburg, Va. A dozen of the huge morsels costs around $18 plus shipping.

If you can't resist that deviled egg

The beleaguered egg has gotten a nutritional reprieve. A major Harvard Medical School study found that eating eggs is OK for most people. So go ahead and eat a deviled egg at your next picnic.

Pub Date: 06/09/99