Having a friend or family member who’s an avid cook takes some of the pressure out of gift giving. Every year brings a fresh crop of trendy kitchen gadgets, countertop appliances, and plain old kitsch to choose from, making kitchen gifts an easy choice. The real trick, however, is knowing which kitchen items to choose.
As a lifelong home cook who went on to become a chef and restaurateur, I’ve given and received a whole lot of them. This gift guide offers 15 evergreen choices that are guaranteed to suit any cook on your list.
1. Asian-Style Knives
Asian-style knives differ from their Western-style counterparts, featuring harder steel, razor-sharp edges, and distinct shapes. If the cook in your life is interested in exploring Asian blades but you don’t want to spring for a pricey Japanese brand, consider Thailand-based Kiwi. Their knives are startlingly good at a price that makes them an affordable gift. Try the general-purpose deba (#171), the vegetable-slicing nakiri (#172), or a bundle with one of each, starting at about $12 a pair on Amazon.
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2. Kitchen Scale
Kitchen scales aren’t just for dieters counting calories; they’re indispensable for consistent cooking and baking. Want to make reliable soup stock? Weigh your ingredients and water to get the right proportions. Want your baked goods to turn out right every time? Use a by-weight recipe, rather than cups. This OXO kitchen scale is a great choice, featuring a pull-out display so you can read it even with a big bowl or pot sitting on top.
3. Instant-Read Thermometer
Forget viral “hacks” and rules of thumb; the only way to really know when something is done is with an instant-read thermometer. ThermoWorks’ Thermapen ONE is the best in the business and you can often find it for under $100 on Amazon. If that’s not in the budget, the company’s ThermoPop 2 is also excellent at less than half the price.
4. Heavy-Duty Kitchen Shears
No matter how good your knife skills are (and I speak as a trained chef), there are times when kitchen shears are simply the better option. Whether you’re cutting herbs or spatchcocking a chicken, OXO’s Good Grips kitchen and herb scissors are an excellent, low-cost option. For something more heavy-duty, you can’t go wrong with Shun’s multipurpose kitchen shears. Both models also come apart for easy cleaning.
5. Mandoline Slicer
A mandoline slicer is a great kitchen tool for quickly slicing and shredding vegetables or fruit. This lightweight slicer is super-sharp and modestly priced, which is why it’s a favorite among professional chefs.
6. Cut-Resistant Gloves
Mandolines scare a lot of cooks, because those blades are extremely sharp, and the included hand guards are not always well designed. Cut-resistant gloves will calm your fears. Put one glove on your dominant hand when you use a slicer, or on your nondominant hand when you use a knife.
7. Automatic Can Opener
Finding a good can opener can be surprisingly difficult. Several of my online friends swear by this hands-free, powered option from Kitchen Mama, which is a “side-cutting” opener that removes the lid and leaves behind a neat edge. It also has a reliable auto-stop feature, which many similar products lack.
8. Frozen Drink Machine
For those really good friends on your list, consider a Ninja SLUSHi. Good food deserves good drinks to go with it, and the SLUSHi lets you create frozen drinks at home in a hurry, without needing ice or a heavy-duty blender. Keep the drinks kid-friendly or crack out the bar cart, as you wish. Plus, it’s small enough to tote to a friend’s party.
9. Salt Pig
Chefs love to grab a pinch of salt from an open container to season a dish to their liking. This open container is known as a salt pig (and no, it doesn’t have to resemble swine). It makes a great little gift for home cooks because they’ll use it every day. You can go for an inexpensive two-pack, such as this one for those with a salt collection, or opt for something stylish and European-made.
10. Magnetic Trivet
Like many cooks, I often forget to place a heatproof trivet on the table or counter until I’ve already lifted a heavy pot of food. Magnetic trivets are great for moments like these. Just set your pot down on the trivet, then lift it up with the trivet in place and head straight for the dinner table. This two-pack, for example, offers excellent value.
11. Finishing Oils
Cooks use different oils for different purposes. Some are the kind you cook with, while others are meant for drizzling over your finished food, aptly known as “finishing” oils. Finishing oils make great gifts for cooks, whether you choose a premium olive oil, an herb-infused oil, a delicate walnut oil, or a richly colored pumpkin seed oil.
12. Pasta Maker
Nothing beats fresh pasta, and it’s surprisingly easy to make at home. Technically you don’t need a pasta roller to make it — just flour, eggs, and a rolling pin — but I can attest that it’s a lot easier with one. The Italian-made Marcato Atlas 150 is the classic choice, and it’s what I used when my kids were little (they loved to help). These days I tend to reach for my KitchenAid pasta roller set instead of the hand-cranked Marcato, but both options are solid and reliable.
13. Kitchen Apron
Time for a shameful confession: I own a bunch of aprons, and usually forget to put one on until after I’ve stained my clothes. But kitchen aprons are getting really good, and you don’t have to spend much for quality. This heavy cotton, cross-back design comes in multiple colors and is well priced. Other options include waterproof aprons for protecting against splashes and scalding, or of course, the ever-popular kitschy aprons.
14. Carbon Steel Skillet
Most of us appreciate nonstick pans for their light weight and ease of use, but concerns remain about their PTFE coatings. Cast iron is a perennial favorite for its durability and the absence of potentially health-hazardous coatings, but it is heavy. Carbon steel splits the difference. It shares cast iron’s durability and high-heat performance, and once seasoned, it’s also nicely nonstick. An unpretentious Lodge skillet is a thoughtful gift for everyday use, or you could take things upmarket with a classic French version from Matfer Bourgeat.
15. Portable Induction Cooktop
I’m really fond of my portable induction cooktops. They heat pans and boil water almost as fast as a commercial gas stove, but without the ventilation issues. I bring them out frequently for holiday meals when I need extra burners, or in summer when I don’t want to add heat to the kitchen. The Duxtop 8500 is a reliable, entry-level model with 15 power settings instead of the standard 10. The sleeker 9600LS burner is a nice upgrade, featuring 20 power settings that can go down to 100 degrees Fahrenheit for gentle warming and melting tasks. The ultimate choice is Breville’s Control Freak, but because the price equals that of a full-sized range, it’s reserved for a truly special cook.
