The holidays are here! No need to stress out wondering what to get the cook/chef/baker in your life. I’ve come up with some practical, useful and fun gift ideas to help you out! (Plus, these can all be purchased online- meaning you can shop in your pjs in the comfort of your home!)
I hope these get you inspired and ready for the big celebration!
1. Microplane Classic Zester/Grater: Perfect for zesting citrus fruits, nutmeg and other spices, as well as chocolate!
2. Polder Clock, Timer, & Stopwatch: This timer helped me survive working in bakeries and kitchens. I love that I can wear it around my neck or use the magnet on the back to attach it to the fridge. A definite kitchen must-have!
3. Nordic Ware Naturals Bakers Half Sheet: Sheet trays are like gold in the kitchen. You can never have enough and you can never have too many.
4. Norpro Stainless Steel Scoop: Scoops make cookie making faster, easier, and cleaner.
5. Misto Stainless Steel Olive Oil Sprayer: Say goodbye to store bought cooking sprays. With this gadget you can use your favorite olive oil to make your own oil spray! I use this daily.
1. Ritual Coffee Beans: Who doesn’t love great coffee? Ritual Coffee is based out of San Francisco and it helped me survive culinary school.
2. GIR Spatulas: GIR stands for “get it right.” These are the most durable spatulas I’ve ever encountered. From folding delicate meringues to stirring together a sticky dough, this spatula gets the job done.
3. Silpat Non-stick Baking Mat : I go through hundreds of sheets of parchment paper over the years, but I’ve had the same one Silpat mat for the last 5 years. And I plan on keep the same one forever.
4. Ultra-Fast Water Resistant Pen Stem Thermometer: A kitchen thermometer is an indispensable tool. You’ll always have perfectly cooked meats as well as great looking caramels and candies.
5. Benriner Japanese Mandoline Slicer: This mandoline comes with different blades to offer a variety of cuts. I love how this has allowed me to cut and dice my vegetables faster and more precise.
1. American Chop Block Square (with monogram): This beautiful hand crafted wooden board is perfect for serving appetizers and creating cheese boards. Plus, you can monogram them!
2. Lodge Cast Iron 12-inch skillet: Cast iron skillets evenly distribute heat allowing for even cooking. I cook bacon, cornbread, and even pizza in my cast iron. It’s my go-to skillet, and I even use it as serving dish because it is so pretty on a table.
3. Bodum Chambord 34-ounce French Press: What would I do without coffee? Probably sleep in all day. I’m a fan of this French press because it brews perfectly sized portions whether I’m making a cup for myself or 8 cups for my dinner guests.
4. 10 Piece Glass Mixing Bowl Set: Glass bowls are great because they don’t absorb odors or stains. Asides for mixing and prep bowls, the larger ones also double as serving bowls.
5. Emile Henry Pizza Stone: Pizza stones allow you to achieve that crisp and chewy crust. Pizza stones distribute and retain heat well. Use it for pizzas, breads, and even cookies.
1. Le Creuset Round French Oven: This is the ultimate gift for any chef/cook/baker. Also known as a Dutch oven, it’s great for cooking soups, stews, and breads. I’ve been borrowing my mom’s for years. I hope she never asks for it back.
2. Cuisinart 7-cup Food Processor: Significantly reduce your prep time with a food processor. Use it to slice, shred, and chop fruits and vegetables. It’s perfect for hummus, pesto, and bread dough making as well!
3. Global 8-inch Chef’s Knife: You don’t need a dozen knifes, as long as you have one really good chef’s knife. This one is a favorite because I love how lightweight, durable, and precise it is.
