When it comes to finding the perfect gift for the cook or chef in your life, there is a seemingly endless list of fun kitchen gadgets and cutting-edge technology to explore. I’ve thrown a few of those goodies in the list coming up, but I also know there’s something to be said for the classics. Crock pots, a sturdy set of pots and pans, a stylish pair of oven mitts – these things will take you far when it comes to gift giving. So hunker down and get your appetite in check…the ultimate gift guide for Chefs is below!
Sous Vide Precision Cooker
I always assumed that by throwing a chicken breast in a pot of boiling water, I would somehow end up with perfectly decent boiled chicken. That is until I started reading up on the Sous Vide. Then I realized that there is a whole science behind cooking meats, veggies, and other things in the water. I have neither the time nor the patience to go into the science behind it all, but luckily the Sous Vide does all of that for you. Let’s just say that it’s a little Jacuzzi for your dinner.
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Instant Pot 6 Quart
If you want a shortcut to perfectly moist chicken, healthily steamed vegetables, and succulent rice then you need an Instant Pot. An ode to pressure cookers of yesteryear, the Instant Pot is a more user-friendly version of what once were bulky, heavy, complicated kitchen gadgets that only scientists and super smart moms could seem to figure out. Now, this is a quick and easy way to make delicious meals and would make a great gift for your more laid back chef friends.
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Crock-Pot 6-Quart Programmable Cook & Carry Slow Cooker with Digital Timer
A classic gift that never goes out of style is a crockpot. This 6-quart option is perfect for potlucks because, as the name suggests, it comes with a snap-on lid and handles. Simply throw in your favorite dish, let it do its cooking thing, unplug, and carry it over to the potluck, BBQ, or Christmas party with ease. These digital crock pots are also the real MVP for being easily programmable in case you’ve got a long day at work ahead.
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KitchenAid Artisan Tilt-Head 5-Quart Stand Mixer with Pouring Shield
Ah, the KitchenAid Stand Mixer…it’s what we spend an entire bridal shower waiting for. Really it’s the only reason we RSVP. What color did the bride get? Which model was she gifted? Did she get any fun attachments? What’s a spiralizer do, anyway? But brides aren’t the only ones who deserve the famous KitchenAid Mixer.
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KitchenAid 9 Cup Food Processor Plus
There was a time in my life, before I was gifted one of my own, where I assumed that beating things like almonds in a plastic baggie on my kitchen floor was sufficient in lieu of a food processor. I was very wrong. Now I’ll never go back, and I believe every person, especially a chef, needs a nice big food processor so that nobody is faced with hammering almonds again (sorry, downstairs neighbors!). This is a failsafe gift.
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Lodge Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven
In California, there is a chill in the air this time of year. That means it’s time to whip out your best soup recipes, warming pasta dishes, and hearty stews. Something about those things cooked in a cast iron Dutch Oven almost seems to make them taste better, and certainly look more professional. So whether you’re faking your way through this whole cooking thing or are an experienced Dutch Oven user, this family-owned company has you covered with 13 colors to suit your style and a vessel ready for many delicious meals to come.
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Cuisinart MCP-7N MultiClad Pro Stainless-Steel Cookware 7-Piece Cookware Set
If you’re looking for a foolproof gift for the chef in your life, this needs to be your big gift this year. Although it’s a bit of a splurge, you’ll earn enough brownie points to get you out of trouble with that person for the rest of the year. Each and every one of the pots and pans in this 7-piece set will be used throughout the year, and with a name like Cuisinart attached to this gift, you’ll look even more impressive.
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Silicone Cooking Utensils Kitchen Utensil Set
Silicone cooking utensils are key if you use non-stick pots and pans, or while you’re baking. Whether you’re scraping burnt crumbs off of baking sheets, ladling pasta onto a platter, or stirring a pot of soup, this set has you covered. Trust me, you never realize how many oddly shaped utensils and spoons you really need until you start cooking for yourself.
BUY MEFoodSaver Vacuum Sealer Starter Kit
There is nothing worse than wasted food – just ask your mother. This year, make mom proud and show her that leftovers can go a long way with a tool like the FoodSaver Vacuum Sealer. This starter kit will have you well on your way to saving precious holiday dollars and enjoying food that stays fresher longer thanks to an air-tight vacuum seal. Go ahead, gift one to mom while you’re at it.
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Cosmos Kitchen Knife Set in Gift Box
I think knife sets have a reputation for being expensive, boring, and well…dull. So when I saw this Cosmos Kitchen Knife Set, I thought they looked, for a lack of a better term, out of this world. And it’s not just their looks that make them gift-worthy. These stunning knives come in all of the shapes and sizes necessary to cut into meat, veggies, bread, fruit, and more. Plus, they are dishwasher safe, and that is the kind of ease and convenience I want out of a gift.
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Shun 8″ Classic Chef’s Knife
Every good chef needs a signature knife (or as I have dubbed this one…a food sword) that can slice, dice, chop, julienne, and do all of the fancy things that only fancy knives can do. Whether the recipient of this knife is just starting out, or is a seasoned chef, he or she will definitely appreciate a sharper blade formed with 32 layers of high-carbon stainless steel.
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Bamboo Cheese Board Set
This board is more than just a slab of bamboo that holds fancy cheese; it’s a set perfectly tailored for a small party or a fancy picnic. It includes 3 Ceramic Bowls, 4 Cheese Knives, and 6 Cocktail Forks. Every nook, cranny, and compartment is specifically made to hold crackers, baguettes, dips, and all the fixings for a cheese board that is sure to wow.
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Rapid Egg Cooker
Say goodbye to the dreaded “grey” hard-boiled egg with this Rapid Egg Cooker. After all, great chefs can’t be bothered with watching a pot of water boil, only to be greeted by overcooked eggs that smell even worse than they look. This handy device hard boils, poaches, scrambles, soft boils, and even makes omelets cooked to perfection.
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Avo Saver Avocado Holder
There is not a more frustrating food (Is it a fruit or a vegetable; can someone please clarify this!?) than the avocado. You go to purchase one at the store; inevitably the ripe ones have already been bought up; you wait for several days for the rock hard avocado you found to soften; and within hours of it finally ripening it turns to brown mush. That’s why it’s all the more important to keep your precious avocado fresher longer with this Avo Saver. It’s like a little hammock for your avocado that keeps it fresher longer.
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Rinse and Chop Cutting Board
A two-in-one colander and cutting board?! Are we serious?! How has it taken people 2018 years to come up with this thing. Why have I never heard of this before? Why do I not already own one? I have SO MANY QUESTIONS. But importantly, this is a foolproof gift for chefs – both experienced and novice. Especially those who are averse to the dreaded cleanup that follows food preparation. This is one less dish. You’re welcome, America.
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Herb Keeper
When it comes to elevated meals, I’ve been notorious for searching grocery stores and farmer’s markets high and low for the right herbs only to use, say, one sprig of rosemary and have the rest go to waste within days. With this herb keeper, you’ve given yourself a way to store (and prolong) the use of tasty fresh herbs. You can even use it to keep stemmed veggies like asparagus fresher longer.
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Citrus Juicer
Why squeeze an orange or lemon by hand ever again, when you could squeeze the most juice you can out of it with this citrus juicer? Say goodbye to seeds and sticky fingers – a seasoned chef has no time for such inconveniences! The convenience of this juicer is just too good to pass up.
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Droppin’ A Recipe Oven Mitts
Add a little gangster flair to your kitchen experience with these sassy oven mitts. While you’re “droppin” hot recipes for family and friends to share, just be careful that you don’t actually drop your baking sheet.
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Essential Gourmet Finishing Sea Salt Collection
Nothing says sophistication quite like “finishing salt.” When do you use it? I’m not quite sure. What’s the difference between finishing something with salt and adding it in as you go? I’m also not sure. What I do know is that with flavors like Fleur de Sel, Sel Gris, Hawaiian Red Alaea Salt, Black Pyramid Salt, Spanish Saffron Flake Salt, and Alderwood Smoked Sea Salt the chef in your life will have the opportunity to finish any meal with the perfect little sprinkle of flavor.
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Bee’s Wrap Assorted 3 Pack of Eco-Friendly Reusable Food Wraps
The fact that I have not invested in reusable beeswax wraps before now is nothing short of criminal. These wraps work like cling film except they are washable, reusable, and compostable versions of the food saving material we all love to hate. Environmentally-friendly gifts like this are ideal for the sustainable chef who wants to reduce their environmental footprint during a season that is often fraught with excessive gifting.
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If you’ve gone through this list and couldn’t find a single thing to give to the chef in your life – then you need new friends. I think we’ve covered all of the bases here. I’m personally feeling hungrier than when we started, but then again it took me quite a while to write this list out, so there’s that. Here’s hoping you have some fun meals ahead that you can share with friends and family through the holiday season and beyond!
Are you looking for a gift for your friend or family member that is more into baking than cooking? Check out our gift guide for the baker here!
