With Christmas fast approaching, people are starting to think about the perfect gift to buy for their loved ones. But it can be difficult choosing the right thing. It’s worth thinking about the person’s interests and if you know home cooks or someone who has recently discovered a passion for working in the kitchen, then it’s likely that they will want to invest in chef gifts that give them the best equipment. There are all sorts of things out there from a dutch oven to a cast iron skillet and all manner of handy kitchen gadget. But what's going to add value to the kitchen experience of your loved one?
There are so many options when it comes to gifts for the budding chef and we’re here to give you some inspiration. From exquisite knife sets to quirky gifts that are sure to ignite a smile, we’ve got you covered. So, whether it’s for Christmas, a birthday or simply ‘just because’, you’re sure to find something to take your fancy and help the home cooks in your life feel like professional chefs.
Table of contents
Personalised Cutting Board
Meal prep is just as important as the final product. A cutting board is one of the most essential items in any kitchen. It gives the chef a dedicated space to chop, dice and slice their vegetables and fresh herbs and offers protection to the worktop. Moreover, a high-quality wooden cutting board softens the blow for the knife and so doesn’t dull it as quickly as a glass or plastic board.But you can buy a bog standard cutting board at any time of the year; choosing a personalised one adds a certain flair to any chef's countertop and is a very thoughtful gift for any home cook.
Cookbooks
Yes, we know, there are thousands, if not millions of cookbooks out there so it can be a nightmare trying to choose the right one. However, one of the best options is to choose a family cookbook that includes recipes designed for the modern family that wants tasty, healthy meals on the dinner table and your budding chef friend or family member is sure to relish trying their hand at some of these.
Knife Set
Having a good set of kitchen knives is one of the most important parts of setting up as an aspiring cook. This is one thing in your kitchen that you should be willing to invest in as knives are something the chef will use to prep every meal and are therefore one of the best gifts you can buy for any wannabe executive chef.It’s important to choose a set of knives that features versatile pieces with blades that are made from high-quality steel. We have a guide on the best types of stainless steel for knives, so be sure to check this out before buying.
Single Knives
If you don’t want to invest in an entire knife set, you might consider buying the chef a single knife such as a chef's knife. You’ll need to choose between a German and Japanese knife, if you want the best quality and how these knives work is vastly different.
A Japanese knife is made from incredibly hard steel and has a narrow blade. They are much more easily able to retain their sharpness but they are more vulnerable meaning they aren’t suitable for more heavy-duty jobs like boning or cutting dense meats.
On the other hand, a German knife, sometimes called a European knife is better for these heavy-duty tasks but doesn’t offer the precision and longevity of its Japanese counterpart.
Knife Storage
If your chef friend or family member already has a good collection of knives then you might consider buying them something to store them in. While a knife block is a more traditional option, a knife roll offers ample space and gentle protection for the knives. Usually made from leather, canvas or another heavy-duty material, they keep knives separate to prevent dulling of the blade and most come with space for up to 12 knives.Whetstone
They’ve got their knives, and they’ve got somewhere to store them but what about maintaining them? The chef needs a knife sharpener which is a small device, either manually or electrically powered that turns dull blades back into efficient ones.
Do keep in mind that some specialist knives may need professional equipment to sharpen them properly so check what kind of knives the chef uses before opting for this gift.
Non-Toxic Cookware
In this day and age, we’re all super careful about what we put into our bodies and the best chefs know this which is why they opt for non-toxic cookware. What this means is that the cookware is made from materials that don’t deposit chemicals or toxins into the food. While teflon is widely used as a non-stick component for pots and pans, it’s actually one of the biggest culprits for toxicity because of something known as PFOA.The PFOA is released when teflon is heated beyond 300ºc and so choosing something like stainless steel, cast iron, ceramic or glass. There are frying pans, stock pots, saucepans, woks and many other items that are ideal for those setting up a domestic or professional kitchen for safe and delicious meals.
Kitchen Attire
When you’re cooking for the family or your friends at a dinner party, you need to show off your style. That’s why we think it’s an excellent idea to gift some quirky cooking attire. A vibrantly coloured oven glove or an apron with a personalised design are sure to be well received. You can even choose something that reflects the wearer’s other interests to make it even more special.
Gourmet Salts
One of the great things about cooking is that you are able to experiment with lots of different flavours. More and more gourmet artisanal brands are popping up that sell delicious gourmet salts and other products like syrups. These make a stunning gift for anyone who loves to be in the kitchen and since they are made out of passion, usually come in beautiful packaging.
Compression Socks
OK, hear us out. If your friend or a family member has recently taken on a career as a chef then they’ll be spending long hours on their feet. When correct care is not applied, the chef may find themselves with swollen ankles and pain in the lower legs and feet.You can help put a stop to this by gifting them a set of compression socks for all-day comfort and support, regardless of how busy the kitchen gets!
