Best 45 Gifts for Chefs (Nov-2023 Update)
Still searching for the perfect gift to surprise a culinary virtuoso in your life? We’ve all been there, scrolling through countless pages of kitchen gadgets and cookware, only to end up feeling overwhelmed and uncertain. After all, when it comes to the world of professional chefs and home cooking enthusiasts, they’re a breed apart, always striving for excellence.
But fear not, we’ve got you covered. After scouring the corners of the internet, engaging in enlightening interviews with cooks of all levels, and gathering valuable insights from the helpful suggestions of our Facebook community, we can present the most meticulous list ever assembled.
So here are the best gifts for chefs, guaranteed to delight and brighten their day.
Chef Gifts Under 50$
1. Gourmet Salt
Salt is not just salt in a chef’s world – finishing salt can provide a very different flavor. If you’d like more gourmet salt options, check out our guide on the most expensive salt in the world.
2. Fun Apron
An apron is a go to gift for any chef. Having a stylish and comfortable apron will make any chef feel more confident and relaxed in the kitchen. If you’re looking for a great fit apron as well as something to make you laugh, check out this one on amazon here!
3. Food Saver
Food waster is a big no for all chefs. Reducing food loss and saving money is important for any kitchen or household. Having a compact food saver makes it quick and convenient to save every last piece of food. This cheap and small food saver is easy to use and takes up no space at all!
4. Cherry Pitter
A cherry pitter is a kitchen gadget that chefs find indispensable in their kitchen. Especially if your beloved chef is cooking lots of cherry pies and cherry sauces. It’s also quite inexpensive – you can grab one for about $10. Where to buy one? Try your local kitchen supply store or Amazon.
5. Vegetable Chopper
Meticulously prepping vegetables hours on end consumes most of the daily work for any chef. From dicing onions to julienning carrots, prep is a job that no chef can escape. Having a vegetable chopper is a great gift to ease the prep load and makes a chef’s job a little easier.
6. Splatter Guard
General mess from cooking can add unnecessary hours into an already long day for any chef or cook. Having a vegetable platter relieves some of that stress. Especially at home, it can help any aspiring cook keep the house nice and clean!
7. Chefs Hat
Finding a hair in a customer’s dish is any chef’s worst nightmare. Having a stylish and comfortable chef’s hat so they can feel safe while looking cool is a fantastic gift for any chef.
8. Compression Socks
Chefs work all day long on their feet and when it comes to swollen ankles, sore arches and lower back pain, compression socks can offer great relief. Buy a set of colorful compression socks to match the colorful holiday spirit.
9. Oyster Knife
Shucking oysters takes skill and time to master as well as being extremely dangerous. Have a safe and durable oyster knife along with a set of gloves will make a chef feel safe and confident in shucking any amount of oysters!
10. Chef Cloves
Forget about dealing with bad smelling hands – buy your chef some gloves. As well as dealing with smells, the gloves will prevent chefs from cutting themselves, which is so common in kitchen restaurants.
11. A Nice Pocket Knife
Many chefs love a pocketknife as they are so versatile in the kitchen. And since people think that pocketknives have fallen out of fashion, chefs don’t get given as many pocketknives as gifts as they used to. Tip: buy a regular one and not a folding pocketknife.
The model displayed below is produced by Opinel and it has a nice thin slicer blade which makes it perfect for kitchen use. It’s also inexpensive and very elegant.
12. Steamer
A chef should have a multitude of cooking methods in their culinary arsenal. This bamboo steamer can help any chef recreate those fluffy bao buns or those umami packed dim sum dishes from your favourite Chinese restaurant.
13. Cookbook Holder
For any home cook looking for inspiration and ideas, cookbooks are a go to read. Having an arsenal of cookbooks in your home will help any chef create even more delicious food. A cookbook holder is the perfect gift to help a cook follow along with their favourite recipes!
14. Handmade Kitchen Boards
Yes, cooks like to prepare food in style and they also really appreciate craftsmanship. A great gift idea is a personalized cutting board. Try Etsy for a huge variety of walnut cutting boards and Amazon, of course.
15. Digital Thermometer
An accurate digital thermometer is an essential tool for success in the kitchen. One chef recommended the Javalin Pro from Javatools, but there are plenty thermometer models available online and in stores.
16. Truffle Oil
One of the most prized ingredients truffle is sought after by chefs across the world. Truffle oil is a fantastic gift that is not as expensive as truffles on their own, but still retains the umami punch! This selection is perfect for any chef to experiment with their cooking.
17. Classic Cookbooks
Chefs enjoy reading a good cook book. Find out what’s missing from their library and help them to build it up. Some of the classics include Julia’s Child Mastering the Art of French Cooking, Flavor Bible, How to Cook Everything, Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking, or the Professional Chef by the Culinary Institute of America.
18. Stainless Steel Soap
Chefs handle a lot of garlic, onions, fish, and other foods with very strong smells. Regular soap is not enough to remove these odors, but one alternative that seems to work quite well is the stainless steel soap.
19. Tamagoyaki Egg Omelette Pan
Breakfast should be both delicious and fun, that’s why a Tamagoyaki pan is an excellent gift idea. It actually makes cooking omelets easier, and there are so many recipes to try that every morning can be a new culinary adventure. (One more reason to wake up early.)
20. Taco Holder Set (6pcs)
Give the gift of mess-free, perfect tacos with Uno Casa’s Taco Holder Set. Whether you’re treating yourself or surprising a taco-loving friend, these stylish holders make taco night a delight. Crafted for durability and easy cleaning, they accommodate both hard and soft shell tacos with no tipping over or spilling.
21. Cast Iron Tortilla Press
This tortilla press is more than a gift; it is a gateway to the incredibly tasty world of Mexican cuisine. Imagine all the tacos, burritos, quesadillas, enchiladas, tostadas it can help produce and all the joy they will bring.
22. MSAAEX Whiskey Glasses
After a long day in the kitchen, there’s nothing quite like unwinding with a well-deserved glass of your favorite spirit. This set adds a touch of elegance to the experience with its textured design, offering practicality, coziness, and stability. The comfortable grip and solid base of these glasses make relaxation even more satisfying.
Chef Gifts Under 100$
23. Designer Chef Coat
Ask 10 American chefs what’s the most chic chef wear brand out there and half will tell you Tilit. Alex McCrery, the founder of Tilit and chef-turned-designer, started the company in 2012 and turned it into one of the most fashionable and respected chef wear brands.
A stylish chef coat for him or her is a perfect present, but you can find other fantastic items from kitchen pants, to aprons and backpacks.
24. Carbon Steel Skillet
A reliable and durable skillet is essential for any chef or cook. Forget about a cast iron skillet, a carbon steel skillet is the next level up. Light weight, durable, and stylish, the carbon steel skillet makes cooking even more enjoyable and delicious!
25. Japanese Knives
Japanese knives are all the rage now and many chefs consider them to be works of art. Even today at the peak of industrialization and mass production premium Japanese knives are still being handcrafted. You simply can’t go wrong with a beautiful Japanese knife.
26. Griddle
A griddle is a chef’s best friend. Grilling steaks, sandwiches, or even some burgers, this multipurpose griddle makes for the perfect gift. There are many griddles available, such as George Foreman, but why not try this on amazon, here.
27. Backpack and Knife Set
If your beloved chef is more like a backpack type of guy or girl, then this is the perfect gift.
28. BBQ Grill Utensils
Is your chef a barbecue fanatic? Few chefs aren’t. So get him or her a stylish grill utensils set.
29. Pasta Machine
There is no pasta lover in the world who doesn’t wish (secretly at least) to make their own pasta. This pasta machine, made in Italy by Marcato Design from nickel and chrome plated-steel, does not take too much space in the kitchen, or storage space for that matter, and is considered “the Ferrari of the pasta machine world”.
30. Dinner at Her Favorite Star Chef Restaurant
Chefs love to eat out as well and certainly appreciate an extraordinary dinning experience. Surprise your loved one with a dinner at that exquisite restaurant that you were either too busy to go to or just felt too expensive.
Chef Gifts Under 150$
31. Ice Cream Maker
What chef doesn’t love ice cream? Creating creamy, sweet and indulgent ice cream helps chefs make the perfect dessert. This easy to use and easy to clean, ice cream machine allows any cook to make ice cream on demand, wherever and whenever! Keep in the freezer and satisfy any ice cream craving, at any time.
32. Beautiful Chef Knife
Yes, your beloved chef has probably quite a few kitchen knives, but a beautifully crafted chef knife will always be a great gift idea. This 8-inch chef knife by looks stunning, is made of high carbon, and pretty much every chef will fall in love with it.
33. Knife Set
The most essential tool for a chef. Having an excellent knife set makes prepping and cooking that much more enjoyable as well as easy for a chef. A variety of knives are essential for different ingredients so an extensive knife set is the perfect gift for any chef.
34. Premium Chef Shoes
Standing all day prepping and cooking in the kitchen os tiresome for chefs. Having some chef shoes that are both super comfortable and slip resistant makes their jobs a little less tiresome. Before you buy, make sure to check their size!
35. Ninja Professional Blender
Meet the ultimate powerhouse appliance! With its incredible blending power and versatility, the Ninja makes it a breeze to whip up delectable smoothies, crush ice for refreshing drinks, and create silky soups and sauces. Healthy eating has never been easier!
36. Le Creuset Classic Cast Iron Handle Skillet
They say “a well-seasoned cast iron skillet is the heart of any kitchen”. And with the Le Creuset, you get quality plus elegance. A pan like this can serve you a life time, offering exceptional heat retention and even cooking. From frying and sautéing to baking and broiling, it excels at every culinary task.
37. Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven
Heavenly slow-cooked meals, simple one-pot recipes and flavorful soups have never been easier to prepare. Thanks to its exceptional ability to retain and distribute heat evenly, this Dutch oven not only streamlines the cooking process but also enhances the flavor and texture of your dishes. Any chef would be thrilled to have such a great assistant.
38. DEATH & CO. Floral Apron
Cooking might not be glamorous, but it can be done in style. Check out this snazzy floral apron that can be customized with different embroidery options. Add a familiar logo or the name of the chef for a genuine personalized gift.
39. Genuine Handmade Mexican Mortar and Pestle
Ideal for any chef who enjoys making fresh and flavorful salsas, guacamole, and a whole slew of other traditional Mexican dishes (and many others). A mortar and pestle is excellent for grinding whole spices, seeds, and herbs to release their essential oils and unique profiles.
Splurge: Chef Gifts over 150$
40. Food Dehydrator
A chef should always be experimental and a food dehydrator allows just that. With this Magic Mill Food Dehydrator, any chef can make dried fruits, vegetables, and meats! This is the perfect dehydrator, coming with various temperature controls, digital timer and thermostat, as well as holding 7 stainless steel trays!
41. Sous Vide
Sous vide is a cooking technique that might scare some aspiring cooks but is loved by professional chefs! This easy to use Joule Sous vide connects to your phone, making it easy to use. Any chef will be able to cook a perfectly cooked and tender steak will this simple sous vide device!
42. Outdoor Pizza Oven
What’s better than relaxing outside on a summer’s day with a barbecue? How about an outdoor pizza oven to cook some delicious fresh pizza with any topping you can get your hands on. This is the perfect gift for any pizza loving chef or anyone that loves to cook outside.
43. Knife Roll
A leather knife roll is an uber-cool gift. Yes, you will not go wrong with this. The only downside is the budget, as a great knife roll can be a bit expensive.
44. Nesco Deluxe Vacuum Sealer
Tired of throwing away food, battling annoying freezer burn, or missing out on the freshness your ingredients deserve? Say goodbye to these kitchen woes with the Nesco Food Vacuum Sealer. Not only will it help save money in the long run, but it also opens the door to tasty and tender sous vide recipes.
45. Breville Food Smoker
The Breville can bring a new dimension to a chef’s cooking repertoire and inspire them to experiment with new flavors and techniques. It lets you infuse a natural smoky aroma into a wide range of dishes, from meats and seafood to cocktails and desserts, with just the press of a button.
46. A Weekend Retreat at Julia’s Child Provence Cottage
The Provence cottage of legendary Julia Child is now available for rent. The property where Julia spent her summer for almost three decades is as charming as ever and its kitchen virtually unchanged.
The property is a foodie paradise come true and your beloved chef would certainly be wowed by such an original gift.
Still not decided? Check our brand new list of personalized gifts for chefs and cooks or our round-up of the best luxury gifts for chefs. If you are also looking for a great gift for your little one make sure you check out our list of gift ideas for junior chefs.
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Wonderful information. I would like a list of the Indonesian spices available