Finding the perfect gift for the culinary enthusiast in your life can be tricky, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. The most important thing to keep in mind when selecting the best gifts is to look for items that make things easier for them in the kitchen or items that help with making the whole cooking process a little easier. So go ahead and celebrate the cooks, bakers, and snackers in your life with these inspired foodie gifts. By the time you’re through reading this list, you may even want to snag a few of these finds for yourself!
Budget Buys (Under $100)
Every chef knows that having a solid set of essential spices is everything in the kitchen. A little of this and a touch of that help make the perfect dish. Whether they are a beginner in the kitchen or a seasoned vet, every chef needs the gift of flavor. You can start small with a 6-piece spice rack for $15- $20 and go bigger depending on what culinary level they are at.
This must-have device is priced between $20 to $40 and gives precise weight measurements to help with portion control. It also comes in a wide array of designs and colors.
Designed to reach into pots, pitches, and more, an immersion blender is perfect for making purees, mixes, or just generally blend ingredients together with ease. Aside from being functional and durable, most models are dishwasher safe making them easy to clean after (bonus!). So if your home cook is looking to make anything from a velvety smooth soup to a silky smoothie, this tool will definitely come in handy. Priced between $50 to $100 depending on functionality and features.
For the Gourmet Chef (Under $150)
Watch as your giftee’s culinary ability shines through with this fun and versatile table top appliance. Grill meat or vegetables on the top pan while simultaneously melting cheeses beneath in the non-stick, color coded pans. This appliance will allow any at-home chef to prepare yummy charred burgers even in the middle of winter. Prices start from $90.
Now, there are people who love ice cream, and then there are people who really love ice cream. If your chef has a sweet tooth, they’ll love experimenting and coming up with their own flavors that they can create from the comfort of their home. You can get a one quart ice cream maker starting at $50, depending on the number of quarts you want. It can also make fresh sorbet or other delicious frozen desserts.
- Cooking Classes
For anyone who’s gained more confidence in the kitchen this year and is looking to expand their skills, a cooking class is an ideal gift. Classes vary from a single session that teaches a specialty dish, to month-long courses that allow you to master a specific cuisine. This gift can even be a joint experience for you to try together, making it even more special, and with the number of virtual options available online, all of it can be done from the comfort of home.
Kitchen Helpers (Under $250)
This item might be a bit of a splurge, but it’s an all-in-one appliance that works as a pressure cooker, rice cooker, slow cooker, yogurt maker, steamer, and warmer that you can also sauté in. What’s not to love? Depending on the programmable cooking options you choose, the price range for these cookers vary from $100 to $200. We guarantee once your aspiring chef has this, it will become their go-to kitchen device for meal prep.
A french fry that’s healthy? Bring it on! Thanks to air circulation technology, this oil-free wonder can deliver food with up to 70 to 80 percent less fat than typical fried foods. This versatile machine uses hot air and gentle stirring to cook meat, pastries, and other savory treats, so you can rustle up some guilt-free indulgences even with the most delicate recipes. Depending on the number of functions you want, the price range for a good quality air fryer is between $200 to $250. You can even buy a compact version that won’t take up too much space on the countertop.
If you want to give your at-home chef a chance to get gourmet worthy results for almost every recipe they make, then this is the gadget you’re after. This compact smart appliance attaches easily to your pot and gently circulates the liquid inside while heating it up to precise temperatures for even all over cooking. The best part? It all gets done hands free! Equipped with bluetooth connectivity (seriously), this smartphone-controlled wand ensures your meals come out exactly as planned every single time, even if you’re sitting on the couch. Priced between $150 – $250.
