We love to cook, and we love to help others find joy in cooking. Having just the right kitchen gadgets can go a long way in making time in the kitchen more enjoyable. Hence, here are our top 12 gifts for people who like to cook, or people who are learning to like to cook!
This list contains a variety of items (and experiences!) coming in at price points ranging from $8 to hundreds of dollars, so there is something for every budget.
- $ = $8-25ish range
- $$ = $26-$100ish range
- $$$ = over $100
Many of these items are sustainable finds that I have come across and love. I also think these are items that someone who seems to have everything may not have.
1. Bee’s Wrap ($)
Instead of using plastic wrap constantly, try gifting sustainability with Bee’s Wrap. I’ve been using these for years, and love that they help me reduce plastic use. You can use Bee’s Wrap to cover leftovers, wrap up cheese, bread or citrus for example. Basically, you can do anything with Bee’s Wrap that you would do with plastic wrap. I’m a fan of the assorted 3-pack as a gift so your recipient can try out different sizes.
2. Snap on Produce Savers ($)
This is another product I’ve been using for years. Again, a sustainable way to wrap up that half lemon, half lime, onion, avocado, etc. These are dishwasher safe, and will result in far less plastic and foil use.
3. Pancake/Tortilla Warmer ($)
This one was a sleeper hit from my wedding registry. Hands down, one of my most favorite kitchen items. This is marketed as a pancake warmer, but it also works wonderfully to keep French toast, tortillas, naan, and more warm.
It’s dishwasher-, microwave-, and oven-safe up to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. The perforation holes in the top allow for steam to escape so your food does not get soggy while it stays perfectly warm inside the container.
4. Quality Chef’s Knife ($$-$$$)
A really high-quality chef’s knife is one of the few knives a home chef needs in my opinion. Food and Wine has an excellent round-up of best chef’s knives. On that list is my absolute favorite Shun Classic 8” Chef’s Knife. It’s an investment piece, but will last for decades when cared for properly. If you’re looking for a higher-end chef’s knife, I can’t recommend that one enough.
If you do not want to spend that amount, check out Food & Wine’s round-up for some great recommendations at different price points.
5. Cookbooks ($)
Sure, there are plenty of recipes online. But a cookbook full of beautiful pictures you can page through can spark creativity and joy in the kitchen. Plus, some people don’t buy themselves cookbooks since there is so much content online, making cookbooks a great gift idea!
If you have a cookbook you love or one with particularly meaningful recipes to the recipient, that’s a great option. Anyone who knows me well will absolutely not be surprised, but here are some of my favorites:
- Any of Chrissy Teigen’s cookbooks, like Cravings or Cravings: Hungry for More. There is a good range of simple ingredient recipes to more involved ones, so lots for a home chef to choose from.
- Dude Diet or Dude Diet Dinnertime by Serena Wolf. I love both of these books for recipes on the healthier side that taste delicious.
- Any cookbooks by What’s Gaby Cooking
- For those of the scientific persuasion, can’t recommend J. Kenji López-Alt’s Food Lab enough
6) Silicone baking mats or muffin liners ($)
Back on my sustainability train, silicone baking mats and/or silicone muffin liners are a great alternative to constantly using aluminum foil, parchment paper or wax paper. I feel like these are one of those oddball items people may not have, and once they start using them they can’t believe they’ve never tried them before. It feels good to reduce waste!
7) Mortar & Pestle ($-$$)
A mortar & pestle is such a versatile gift! You can grind spices, make guacamole, crush nuts or chiles, or make a garlic paste. It makes certain tasks in the kitchen go much faster, and for that I am a forever fan. If you have been to someone’s house a good amount and notice that they don’t have one, highly recommend. You can make it fancy and put it in a cute basket with some whole spices, coffee beans and/or nuts and make yourself look like a really put-together gift giver.
8) Fancy olive oil and balsamic vinegar ($$)
If you know someone with champagne taste on a beer budget (um hi, it’s me), treat them to a nice set of olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Sure, most people have olive oil, but how many people splurge on themselves and buy the really nice stuff? This makes it a perfect gift.
9) Stasher bags ($-$$)
My sustainability recommendations know no bounds. Stasher bags are one of my favorite kitchen items. Anything to cut down on buying and replacing plastic constantly. These babies work so well for food storage. They are dishwasher safe, can go in the microwave, freezer and oven safe up to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
A truly genius invention with a beautiful mission. They come in all sorts of sizes and colors. You can find them in many retail stores – I’ve seen them at the Container Store, World Market, etc, as well as online.
10) Coffee, wine or olive oil subscription ($$-$$$)
Depending on the type of subscription, this one is a higher price point than many items on this list. If that matches the budget you’re working with, how great would it be to give someone the gift that keeps on giving?!
There are lots of great olive oil subscriptions, coffee subscriptions, and wine subscriptions that I’m sure would delight nearly any recipient. I have not personally tried any I can vouch for, but a simple Google search yields lots of promising results to try out.
11) Virtual or in-person cooking class ($$-$$$)
One of my favorite gifts I have personally given was a cooking class for my parents, my in-laws, husband and myself. We had a BLAST at Cook au Vin, cooking and drinking wine and learning French things. If you’re local to Chicago, can’t recommend them enough. I have also gone to classes at The Chopping Block, which I can absolutely recommend!
If you live elsewhere, I highly recommend looking at what local businesses around you may offer in-person cooking classes. There are also great virtual options! This is a fun experience-based gift that’s sure to create some very fond memories.
12) Knife skills class
For those who love to learn, consider gifting a knife skills class! Many businesses that offer cooking classes also offer knife skills classes. This could also work as an experience-based gift that you do with the recipient.
There you have our top 12 favorite gifts for people who like to cook! This post is not sponsored, simply my opinions!
We hope this helps you find the perfect gift for people who like to cook in your life. If you have any recommendations you’d like to share, please feel free to comment on this post! The more ideas, the merrier.
Feature image credit: Photo by Kira auf der Heide on Unsplash
About the Author: Kelly LaVoie, MS, RD, LDN
