‘Tis the season! For love, laughter, family, friends, and of course the gifts. To make your holiday shopping a little easier, here is my gift guide for your favorite home chef. Whether you are shopping for someone who is just starting in the kitchen, a home cook who wants to become a home chef, or a self professed foodie that loves being in the kitchen, this list won’t steer you wrong! These are my personal favorites. The tools in my kitchen that allow me to elevate my cooking to the next level.
Everyone knows a someone who loves to cook. They may have the basics down. They may have years of experience. Possibly they have the passion for cooking, but don’t have the proper tools to create the masterpieces in their heads. If you know someone like that, this is the perfect gift guide for you!
The gifts you find in this guide are the right tools to do the job right. Nothing super fancy, and no gadgets that serve a single purpose but spend most of their time in the drawer. These are the gifts that make cooking fun and cleaning up fast. The gifts that can make anyone fall in love with their kitchen for the first time or for the hundredth time.
Recommended Kitchen Tools
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Beginner Chef Holiday Gift Guide
'Tis the season for love & laughter, family & friends, and of course the gifts. Here are my favorite gifts to help your favorite foodie become a home chef!
Cutco Petite Chef Knife
My go to kitchen knife is Cutco's 7 5/8" petite chef. It's designed to fit comfortably in your hand, with the right weight to make repeated use easier. Starting out you really only need one versatile knife, which can last a lifetime.
Bamboo Wood Cutting Board with Juice Grooves
There is plenty of room to chop multiple ingredients and move things around the kitchen easily. They also look beautiful for presentation of everything from cheese boards to breads. The bamboo is easier on your knife blades than plastic or traditional hardwood and safer than using glass cutting boards.
20-Quart Mixing Bowl
The only thing little bowls are good for is making a big mess. Prep work is much quicker if the food stays in the bowl where it belongs. My extra large bowl is my go to for whipping up all kinds of batters, doughs, marinades, salads, and pastas.
Lodge 12" Cast Iron Skillet
If I could only have one skillet, it would be this 12" cast iron skillet. They go from stove top to oven in the blink of an eye and can even handle the high heat of the grill. Treated right, they will last for generations.
Kuhn Rikon Original Swiss Peeler
These are the absolute best peelers I have ever experienced. At less than $8 for a pack of three, they are cheap to replace when they dull. A word of warning, it has a carbon steel blade, which you must hand wash and dry immediately to prevent rusting.
KitchenAid 3-Speed Hand Blender
When it comes to pureeing soups, sauces, and such, using a hand blender makes a world of difference.
Microplane Classic Zester/Grater
This tool makes quick work of hard cheeses, citrus zests, nutmeg, ginger, garlic, onion, and more. It's an easy tool to use, but be careful as it is share and can catch your knuckles if you aren't paying attention.
ThermoPro Digital Meat Thermometer
We all know that the secret to getting juicy chicken, tender pork chops, and fall apart in your mouth steaks is having a reliable kitchen thermometer. This wireless prober version takes that a step ahead.
Ozeri Digital Kitchen Scale
When it comes to baking the most reliable way to get consistent results is to use a kitchen scale. This one is small, inexpensive, and gets the job done.
KitchenAid Artisan Series Stand Mixer
No kitchen gift list would be complete without a stand mixer, especially at the holidays. Make quick work of meringues, doughs, batters, and more.
The Flavor Thesaurus: A Compendium of Pairings, Recipes and Ideas for the Creative Cook
An invaluable resource in my kitchen, this book is an amazing resource for people who want to learn to cook from scratch. You can look up a main ingredient and find the best complimentary flavors for your dish.
Didn’t find what you are looking for? Check out my Kitchen Essentials for all my kitchen tool recommendations. Also see my Coffee Lovers Gift Guide or check out my growing list of holiday gift guides.
Great gift roundup and nice sauce.
Nice set of gifts. Love the bourbon caramel sauce.
It is the best caramel sauce!
What a great list, I’m sure any beginner chief would be very happy with these gifts. The caramel sauce looks delicious as well ?
Thanks!