The Top 60 Gifts for People Who Like to Cook in 2023

Finding the perfect cooking gift for the home chef in your life can be a daunting task. With so many options available, how do you choose the one that will bring the biggest smile to their face? Worry not, as we’ve compiled a diverse list of the top 60 gifts for people who like to cook in 2023. Whether they are seasoned pro or just starting their culinary journey, we have something for everyone.

Key Takeaways

Essential kitchen tools such as quality chef’s knives, cutting boards, and measuring cups are great gifts for home cooks.
Unique cooking gadgets like sous vide cookers, silicone lids, and digital food scales add an element of fun to the kitchen.
Cookbooks provide recipe ideas while cooking classes offer immersive experiences to learn culinary techniques from local chefs.

Essential Kitchen Tools for Home Cooks

Equipping a home cook with the right tools can elevate their culinary skills and make cooking a more enjoyable experience. Essential kitchen tools such as high-quality chef’s knives, durable cutting boards, and accurate measuring cups and spoons can make all the difference in the kitchen.

We’ll examine these vital items every home chef should desire.

Chef’s Knives

Every home chef knows that a quality chef’s knife is the cornerstone of their kitchen arsenal. A good chef’s knife can make tasks like chopping, slicing, and dicing fresh fruit and vegetables a breeze, contributing significantly to the success of a dish. Some widely acclaimed brands of chef’s knives include Wüsthof, Global, and Material Kitchen. These knives come in various shapes and sizes, such as the 8” chef’s knife, paring knife, and bread knife.

Equally significant as investing in a quality blade is maintaining its sharpness. A whetstone, garlic press, or mandoline can be the perfect gift to help a home cook keep their knives sharp and in optimal condition. After all, a sharp knife is a game-changer in the kitchen.

Cutting Boards

A cutting board is an essential tool, providing a secure and hygienic surface for food preparation and protecting countertops from scrapes and knife marks. Cutting boards come in a variety of materials, such as wood cutting boards, high-quality European Oak, carved wood, marble, food-grade mineral oil, bamboo cheese boards, and organic bamboo cutting boards.

These options are perfect for preparing a fresh batch of ingredients with fresh spices.

Adding other practical items such as the LHS Multifunctional Vegetable Chopper and the Uncommon Goods State Spoon Rest ensures a tidy kitchen and fresh spices.

Measuring Cups and Spoons

Measuring cups and spoons, vital for accurate measurements and a successful dish, make excellent gifts for any home cook. Available in a range of sizes and materials, including plastic, stainless steel, and glass, these tools cater to the needs of both home cooks and professional chefs alike.

A digital food scale, like the Pepper Cannon, offers consistent and accurate measurements, making it perfect for measuring fresh herbs and other ingredients.

Unique Cooking Gadgets

Unique cooking gadgets can infuse a sense of excitement and efficiency into the cooking routine. We’ll investigate innovative tools such as sous vide cookers, silicone lids, and digital food scales that can enhance the joy of cooking.

Sous vide cookers are a great way to cook food evenly and consistently. They use a water

Sous Vide Cooker

Sous vide cooking is a technique where airtight plastic bags are placed in a temperature-controlled water bath, providing precise control over cooking temperatures and resulting in consistently cooked dishes with unaltered texture and flavor.

For those new to sous vide cooking, the Joule by Breville is a great option, while the Anova Precision Cooker Pro is ideal for more experienced sous vide enthusiasts.

Silicone Lids

Silicone lids are a practical and environmentally friendly alternative to plastic wrap. They are heat resistant and can withstand temperatures up to 280°C, coming in a variety of sizes.

Some of the most recommended silicone lids for home cooks include the GIR Platinum-Grade Silicone Universal Lid, Longzon Silicone Stretch Lids, and Chef’n Universal Cover Set.

Digital Food Scale

A digital food scale provides consistent and accurate measurements, making it an essential tool for precise ingredient measurements in the kitchen.

Some of the most recommended digital food scales for home cooks are the OXO Stainless Steel Food Scale, the Escali Primo Digital Food Scale, and the Ozeri Pronto Digital Kitchen Scale.

Stylish and Functional Cookware

Consider upgrading your cookware to stylish and functional options that enhance both the aesthetics of your kitchen and your cooking performance.

We’ll delve into some popular picks such as Dutch ovens, non-stick pans, and cast iron skillets.

Dutch Oven

A Dutch oven is renowned for its excellent heating capacity, making it ideal for slow cooking, braising, and baking. The Le Creuset 5 1/2-Quart Round Dutch Oven, the Lodge 6-quart enameled cast-iron Dutch oven, and the Staub 5.5-quart Dutch Oven are some of the most suitable options for home cooks.

Each of these Dutch ovens has its own unique features and benefits. The Le Creuset brand is a household name when it comes to high-quality cookware. Known for its iconic Dutch ovens, Le Creuset has been delivering exceptional cooking experiences to home chefs for nearly a century. The brand’s products are recognized for their durability, heat retention, and a wide range of vibrant colors. Their Dutch ovens are a favorite among professional chefs and home cooks alike, making them a worthy addition to any kitchen.

Non-Stick Pans

Non-stick pans are a convenient and easy-to-clean option for home cooks. They come in various materials, like aluminum or stainless steel, and feature a non-stick coating that minimizes sticking and makes cooking simpler.

Some top recommendations for non-stick pans include:

Cast Iron Skillet

A cast iron skillet is highly versatile and durable, perfect for:

searing and browning food
frying
baking
sautéing
roasting
grilling

It can be used on any stovetop, including induction, and is naturally non-stick, requiring minimal to no oil for cooking.

Some examples of cast iron skillets include the Lodge 10.25-inch and the Field Company Field Skillet.

Food and Ingredient Gifts

Delight the food enthusiast in your life with exceptional food and ingredient gifts that will tantalize their taste buds. From gourmet spices and flavored salts to premium olive oil sets, these gifts are sure to delight their palate.

Gourmet Spices

Gourmet spices are of higher quality compared to regular spices, often featuring more intense flavors and a higher price tag. Some examples of gourmet spices include Diaspora Co., which sources single-origin, fair-trade spices of superior quality.

Gift sets, such as a cheese-making kit, Bona Furtuna’s organic Italian food gift set, and Brightland’s pantry essentials box, are also some of the best gifts for gourmet spice lovers.

Flavored Salts

Flavored salts can add a unique twist to dishes, providing a distinctive flavor and a vivid hue. They can also be used as a substitute for regular salt in recipes, allowing for more precise control of salt quantity.

Some of the most suitable flavored salts for home cooks include Maldon Sea Salt Flakes, SaltWorks Lav a Salt, and Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt.

Olive Oil Sets

Olive oil sets typically include a variety of oils, such as extra virgin, light, and flavored oils, as well as infused oils like garlic or rosemary.

Some of the most highly recommended olive oil sets include the La Tourangelle Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil Set, the Gaea Organic Greek Olive Oil Set, and the Colavita Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil Set.

Personalized and Customizable Gifts

Add a personal touch to make your cooking gifts extra special. Personalized and customizable gifts like engraved cutting boards, custom aprons, and monogrammed kitchen towels are sure to make the home chef in your life feel appreciated.

Engraved Cutting Boards

Engraved cutting boards can be customized with a name, message, or design, offering a unique touch to any kitchen space. Some of the most suitable engraved cutting boards for home cooks include:

Custom Aprons

Custom aprons can be personalized with a name, message, or design, making them a thoughtful gift for the home cook who loves to express their personality in the kitchen.

Some of the best custom aprons for home cooks include ChefTog, Etsy, and Tilit.

Monogrammed Kitchen Towels

Monogrammed kitchen towels can be personalized with a name, message, or design, adding a personal touch to any kitchen. Some of the most suitable monogrammed kitchen towels for home cooks include:

Zeppoli Classic Kitchen Towels
Personalized kitchen towels from Sockprints
Monogram dish towels from Etsy
Embroidered towels from Initial Impressions

These towels come in a variety of colors and styles, so you can find the perfect one

Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Kitchen Items

Opt for eco-friendly and sustainable kitchen items that are not only beneficial to the environment but also dishwasher-safe, adding convenience to your cooking process.

We’ll examine reusable silicone bags, beeswax wraps, and compost bins, all of which contribute positively to the environment.

Reusable Silicone Bags

Reusable silicone bags are:

An environmentally friendly alternative to plastic bags
Made from food-grade silicone
Designed to be used multiple times
Airtight, leak-proof, and freezer-safe
Ideal for storing food.

Some of the most suitable reusable silicone bags for home cooks include Stasher Reusable Storage Bags, Durbl Reusable Silicone Food Storage Bags, and Homelux Theory Reusable Silicone Food Storage Bags.

Beeswax Wraps

Beeswax wraps are an eco-friendly and sustainable alternative to plastic wrap, made from organic cotton, beeswax, jojoba oil, and tree resin. They can be used to wrap food, cover bowls, and store food in the refrigerator, and are reusable for added sustainability.

Some of the most suitable beeswax wraps for home cooks include LilyBee Wrap Organic Cotton Beeswax Wrappers, Bee’s Wrap, Patabee Beeswax Wrap Rainbow Set, and Etee Organic Reusable Food Wraps.

Compost Bins

Compost bins provide an eco-friendly and sustainable method for disposing of food waste, breaking down waste into compost that can be used as a natural fertilizer for plants. They are easy to use and can be placed in the kitchen or outdoors.

Some examples of compost bins include the OXO Good Grips Easy-Clean Compost Bin, the Utopia Kitchen Stainless Steel Compost Bin, and the Bamboozle Food Composter.

Cooking Classes and Experiences

Inspire kitchen creativity by gifting learning experiences with cooking classes. From online courses and local workshops to culinary vacations, these options provide the home chef with new skills and techniques to elevate their cooking game.

Gifting a cooking class or experience is a great way to show someone you care. Not

Online Cooking Courses

Online cooking courses offer the following benefits:

Convenience of learning new culinary techniques and recipes from the comfort of home
Catering to all levels of cooking experience
Providing access to a wide range of recipes that can be tailored to different preferences and dietary requirements.

Some highly regarded online cooking courses for home cooks include:

Kitchn Cooking School
Udemy
Rouxbe Online Culinary School
Masterclass
The Chef & The Dish
America’s Test Kitchen Online Cooking School
ChefSteps

Local Workshops

Local workshops offer hands-on experiences, allowing home cooks and home cooks alike to learn new culinary skills, access quality ingredients, and connect with other home chefs in their area.

To find local workshops, research cooking classes or workshops available in your area that cater to your interests and needs.

Culinary Vacations

Culinary vacations provide unique opportunities to learn about food and cooking from authentic local chefs around the world. Examples of culinary vacations include:

Cooking schools
Culinary vacations in Lyon, France
Culinary vacations in Bologna, Italy
Culinary vacations in Marrakech, Morocco
Culinary vacations in Bali, Indonesia
Culinary vacations in Chiang Mai, Thailand

These experiences can help home chefs gain new skills, techniques, and recipes while exploring new cultures and cuisines.

Cookbooks and Recipe Inspiration

Stimulate culinary creativity with best-selling and niche-topic cookbooks catering to specific interests. These books offer a wealth of knowledge, tips, and recipes to help home chefs expand their culinary horizons.

Best-Selling Cookbooks

Best-selling cookbooks provide popular, tried-and-true recipes that cater to a wide range of tastes and preferences. Examples of popular cookbooks for home cooks include:

Niche Topic Cookbooks

Niche topic cookbooks delve into specific cuisines, ingredients, or cooking techniques, offering home chefs a chance to explore new flavors and dishes. These cookbooks can help expand a home cook’s culinary repertoire with specialized recipes and techniques.

Examples of niche topic cookbooks include “The Vegan Cookbook” by Mark Bittman, “Gluten-Free Baking” by Elana Amsterdam, and “The Art of Mexican Cooking” by Diana Kennedy.

Summary

In conclusion, finding the perfect cooking gift for the home chef in your life is all about knowing their preferences and needs. From essential kitchen tools and unique gadgets to eco-friendly items and personalized gifts, there’s something for everyone on this list. Whether it’s a best-selling cookbook or a culinary vacation, these gifts are sure to inspire creativity, elevate their cooking skills, and bring joy to their kitchen.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do you give someone who loves to cook? Give the cook in your life a KROK mortar and pestle, a chef’s knife, a rice cooker, a pepper grinder, a kitchen torch, a pasta maker, a pizza stone, and a multicooker for the ultimate culinary experience.

What to get someone who likes baking and cooking? For the baker and chef in your life, consider gifting top-tier tools like a whisk, scrapers, bread lame, cast iron combo, baking tin, cake pan, stand mixer, and food processor. These items will help them take their craft to the next level!

What unique cooking gadgets can make cooking more enjoyable and efficient? Sous vide cookers, silicone lids, and digital food scales can make cooking more enjoyable and efficient by providing a unique and enhanced experience.

What are some examples of eco-friendly and sustainable kitchen items? Reusable silicone bags, beeswax wraps, and compost bins are all great eco-friendly and sustainable items to use in your kitchen.

What types of cooking classes and experiences are available for home cooks? Online courses, local workshops, and culinary vacations offer home cooks the chance to explore and learn new skills in a variety of contexts.

The Top 60 Gifts for People Who Like to Cook in 2023