The Best Gifts A Chef Could Ask For:
Picking the best gift for a chef or home cook in your life can be fun - but also quite difficult...
Every chef is different, and there is so much choice that it makes it hard to find cooking-related gifts that are unique, and will actually get used.
Not all culinary-related gifts were created equally.
So, we wrote this guide to help you find a unique gift for your special chef or home cooking enthusiast that they will actually use and cherish forever!
We divided this culinary gift guide into categories for different cooking styles and gift types, so if you already have some idea of what to get, feel free to skip to that section using the list of contents below.
[Table of Contents:]
- Useful Tools & Equipment Gifts for Chefs
- Presentation & Serving Gifts for Chefs
- Ingredients or Pantry Supplies Gifts for Chefs
- Learning & Inspirational Gifts for Chefs
- Storage & Organisation Gifts for Chefs
- Budget-Friendly Gifts for Chefs
- Luxury or Premium Gifts for Chefs
- Gifts Based on Cooking Style
- Unique or Specialty Gifts for Chefs
1. Chef Gift Ideas - Essential Tools & Equipment
There are some tools that you can never have enough of in a kitchen. Those basic cooking accessories and cookware might seem boring or everyday to an outsider, but to a chef, it's serious business.
Knives & Cutting Tools
- Japanese Santoku or Gyuto Knife - A sharp, well-balanced knife is transformative for any cook
- Honing Steel or Whetstone (Sharpener) - To maintain those precious knife edges
- Quality Cutting Board - End-grain wood or high-quality hardwood cutting boards
-
Bench Scraper - Underrated tool for transferring ingredients and cleaning surfaces
Cookware Essentials
- Cast Iron Skillet - Versatile for searing, baking, and everything in between
- Quality Butcher Block or Cutting/Serving Board
- Stainless Steel Saute Pan - Perfect for building fond and deglazing
- Dutch Oven - Essential for braising, bread baking, and one-pot meals
- Half Sheet Pans - The workhorses of any kitchen
- Instant-Read Thermometer - Takes the guesswork out of cooking proteins
-
Hardwood Cooking Utensils Set
2. Chef Gift Ideas - Presentation & Serving
One of the first things chefs learn about is how 'presentation is everything'. So a great gift idea for chefs and cooks is some unique plating and serving accessories like platters, utensils, cheese boards and more.
Something beautiful to serve food on is a gift that any fan of cooking will appreciate and use over and over again.
Plating & Service
- White Plates Set - Classic backdrop for food presentation
- Black Walnut Platters - Makes anything look more delicious
- Serving Utensils - Stylish serving spoons, tongs, and ladles
- Cheese Board Set - For entertaining and presentation
- Wine Glasses - Proper glasses enhance the dining experience
- Reusable Cloth Napkins - Elevates any meal presentation
Remember to consider the recipient's current skill level, cooking style, and kitchen space when selecting the perfect gift. The best gifts are those that either fill a genuine need or inspire them to try something new!
3. Chef Gift Ideas - Ingredients & Pantry Staples
Gifting a cook some ingredients is like gifting an instrument to a musician - more materials to make more art.
Gifting some premium ingredients that your favourite chef might not have used yet, or will use a little bit of every day in their dishes - like rarer spices and seasonings - can be a wonderful gift idea that any chef will really appreciate.
Premium Ingredients
- High-Quality Olive Oil - Single-origin extra virgin varieties
- Aged Balsamic Vinegar - The real deal from Modena
- Flaky Sea Salt - Maldon or similar finishing salts
- Whole Spices - Freshly ground makes all the difference
- Vanilla Beans - Madagascar or Tahitian varieties
- Saffron - or other less common spices
Specialty Items
- Truffle Oil or Truffle Salt - A little luxury goes a long way
- Specialty Vinegar - Champagne, sherry, or fruit vinegar
- Artisanal Hot Sauces - Small-batch, unique flavor profiles
- High-Quality Chocolate - For baking and snacking
- Specialty Salts - Smoked, flavored, or regional varieties
4. Chef Gift Ideas - Learning & Inspiration
Nobody is ever too experienced to learn something new. Whether you're gifting for a new fan of home cooking, to a fully seasoned chef (pun intended), there is always something new to explore and discover in the world of culinary art.
Gifting a chef a cooking course or book might seem like a proverbial slap in the face, but it will usually be received as another tool in their repertoire!
Books
- "Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat" by Samin Nosrat - Fundamental cooking principles
- "The Food Lab" by J. Kenji López-Alt - Science-based cooking techniques
- "Ratio" by Michael Ruhlman - Understanding proportions in cooking
- "On Food and Cooking" by Harold McGee - The science behind cooking
- Cookbooks from their favorite chefs - For inspiration and new techniques
- Cookbooks from their local area - Great for local recipes and ingredients.
Experiences
- Cooking Classes - Local culinary schools or specialty workshops
- Knife Skills Workshop - Professional instruction on proper technique
- Wine Pairing Dinner - Understanding flavor combinations
- Farmers Market Tour - Learning about seasonal, local ingredients
- Online Masterclass Subscription - Access to celebrity chef instruction
5. Chef Gift Ideas - Storage & Organisation
Clutter affects everyone, in all professions, activities, and hobbies - cooking up a storm can create clutter in record time, and if you know a chef then you know just how messy it can get in a kitchen, and fast.
No cook, chef or other mortal being is immune to it - so help out the chef in your life with the gift of more organisation and storage! They will probably thank you every day as their kitchen stays that little bit more tidy.
Kitchen Organization
- Magnetic Knife Strip - Keeps knives accessible and edges protected
- Spice Rack System - Proper labeling and organization
- Airtight Containers - For bulk ingredients and leftovers
- Kitchen Towel Set - Lint-free, absorbent towels
- Apron - Professional-grade with pockets and adjustable straps
- Hidden Storage Drawers - Aesthetic or invisible kitchen storage
Food Storage
- Vacuum Sealer - Extends food life and enables sous vide cooking
- Glass Storage Containers - Better than plastic for reheating and storage
- Herb Keeper - Extends the life of fresh herbs
- Wine Preservation System - For the cook who cooks with wine
6. Chef Gift Ideas - Budget-Friendly Options
For gifts on a tighter budget, there are still so many great options that you can gift to the professional chef or home cook in your life!
There are also a lot of not-so-great options out there, things that only serve one really niche function that nobody asked for. You know the ones! BUT - Here are some awesome budget gift ideas for chefs that are both incredibly useful and easy to come by.
Cooking Gifts Under $25
- Microplane Grater - Perfect for zesting and grating
- Wooden Spoons Set - Essential for stirring and sautéing
- Kitchen Timer - Simple but crucial for timing
- Measuring Cups and Spoons - Accurate measurement tools
- Pastry Brush - For glazing and basting
- Unique Food Bag Sealing Clips - Fun and useful food storage tool
- Unique Egg Slicer - For any fan of eggs an egg slicer is a must have
Cooking Gifts Under $50
- Digital Kitchen Scale - Precision in baking and cooking
- Mortar and Pestle - For grinding spices and making pastes
- Quality Can Opener - Often overlooked but daily essential
- Herb Scissors - Multi-blade scissors for quick herb chopping
- Silicone Baking Mats - Reusable parchment paper alternative
- Salt & Pepper Grinders - A stable of every kitchen
7. Chef Gift Ideas - Luxury & Premium Gifts
If cost is less of a concern, and you want the absolute best gift for your special chef, then there is a wealth of options available.
Funnily enough, similar to the budget gift options for chefs, there are also a lot of useless ones out there, so here are some top picks and ideas for premium or luxury gifts that any chef will love.
High-End Equipment
- Professional-Grade Knives - Handcrafted Japanese Damascus or German steel
- Copper Cookware - Superior heat conduction for serious cooks
- Small Wood-Fired Pizza Oven - For the ultimate outdoor cooking experience
- Wine Fridge - Proper storage for cooking wines and personal collection
- Commercial-Style Range - Restaurant-quality cooking at home
Unique Experiences
- Private Chef Experience - Learning from a professional in their home
- Culinary Travel - Food-focused trips to culinary destinations
- Premium Ingredient Subscription - Monthly delivery of specialty items
- Custom Knife Commission - Personalized blade from a master craftsperson
8. Gift Ideas by Cooking Style:
Everyone has their own style of cooking, and some gifts will be perfectly suited to one kind of chef but almost never get used by another. Here are some top gift ideas for chefs and cooks based on their style or type of cooking.
For the Baker
- Stand Mixer Attachments - Pasta roller, ice cream maker, grain mill
- Precision Scales - For accurate measurements
- Proofing Baskets - For artisan breadmaking - artisan
- Black Walnut Wood Bakeware - Enhance the baking experience
- Offset Spatulas - Essential for cake decorating
- Bench Knife - For dividing dough and cleaning surfaces
For the Griller
- Chimney Starter - For perfect charcoal lighting
- Grill Basket - For vegetables and small items
- Meat Claws - For shredding pulled pork or chicken
- High-Quality Tongs - Versatile and used daily
- Cedar Planks - For smoking fish and vegetables
- Grill Thermometer - For monitoring temperature without lifting the lid
Sustainability-Conscious Chefs
- Reusable Beeswax Sheets - Handy for storing smaller food items
- Wooden Cookware Sets - Always a useful gift, multifunctional & life-long
- Bamboo or Wood Utensils, Cups or Platters - Beautiful and versatile
- Glass or Bamboo Storage Containers & Jars - Perfect for lovers of food storage & organising
For the Health-Conscious Cook
- Spiralizer - For vegetable noodles
- Steamer basket - For gentle cooking methods
- Juicer - For fresh juice and pulp for cooking
- Air fryer - For crispy foods with less oil
- Solid Wood Bowls - Great for eating healthy meals & salads from
- Fermentation crock - For homemade kimchi and sauerkraut
9. Chef Gift Ideas - Specialty Equipment
Some chefs and home cooks can't get enough of the gadgets, the do-das, and the tech. If you know them, you know- it's all about the latest and greatest tool, technique or hack, and a new toy can become part of their everyday arsenal.
For the Technique-Focused Cook
- Immersion Circulator - For precise sous vide cooking
- Kitchen Scales - Essential for baking and portion control
- Electric spice grinders/mills
- Mandoline Slicer - For perfect, uniform cuts
- Fine-Mesh Strainers - Various sizes for stocks, sauces, and more
- Wood or Silicone Spatulas Set - Heat-resistant and flexible for every task
For the Gadget Enthusiast
- Stand Mixer - Opens up worlds of baking possibilities
- Food Processor - Speeds up prep work dramatically
- High-Speed Blender - For soups, smoothies, and emulsifications
- Pasta Machine - For fresh pasta adventures
- Smoking Gun - Adds smoky flavor without a full smoker
- Multifunctional/ Unique Kitchen Timer -
- Multi-functional Thermometer -
Quick Tip: 3 Things That Make Any Perfect Gift:
When choosing a gift for anybody, try to keep the following three points in mind:
1. Great gifts are things that people would like to own (obviously), but for one reason or another, often wouldn't buy for themselves.
2. Great gifts are things that are both unique/memorable, and useful in some way - even if that use case is 'looking nice and reminding me of someone special'.
3. Brainstorm gift ideas for someone by thinking about what things only that person likes, or does, in combination. - Eg: maybe your giftee likes Spanish cooking, nature and gadgets - in which case a great gift might be a smart herb garden with a Spanish herb kit; or a portable outdoor hotplate (for making paella); or a nature-inspired ceramic tapas set with a warming tray... A Gift like this will make them feel you really know them, and might even become one of their favourite things they own.
Still unsure what gift to get?
Virtually everyone likes something made of wood, it's got character, is beautiful and long-lasting, and feels personal - all of which make for great gifts.
Wooden kitchen utensils and boards are also still the preferred choice for most professional chefs because of their resilience, versatility, tradition, and even food safety benefits of wood compared to other materials
Explore the Wondrwood range of stunning wooden kitchenware, cookware, and servingware now.
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