The yearly hunt for gifts that our loved ones not only need, but want, is official upon us. For the chefs and gourmet home cooks in your life—or, perhaps, for yourself—a truly thoughtful kitchen gift can be transformative. Imagine the satisfaction of a perfectly chosen knife set, the thrill of an appliance that revolutionizes meal prep, or the delight of truly beautiful cookware that will elevate even the most basic spag bol dinnertime.
They’re the kind of gifts I take very seriously; having written about food and drink for well over a decade, I’ve seen more than my fair share of “gifts” that are more hassle than help, but this top-tier selection of high-end kitchen essentials is the opposite. I have taken great care in choosing gifts that aren’t just brilliant upgrades on the items you may already have in your kitchen, but gifts that inspire passion and precision at every culinary turn.
This holiday, go on and give the gift of cooking better–and more enjoyably–for years to come.
1. Robert Welch Angle Oak Knife Block Set
If you’re looking for strong endorsements, the fact that I’ve had a Robert Welch knife not only survive being accidentally roasted in the oven (survive with a half-melted handle, that is), but loved it so much I continued to use it for the best part of a year, should suffice. Thankfully, this exquisite collection features six meticulously crafted knives, none of which have melted handles, has been designed for incredible precision and easy manoeuvrability. The 18cm chef’s knife is one of the best you can lay your hands on, but the rest of the set (22cm carving knife, 22cm bread knife, 14cm Santoku knife, 14cm kitchen Knife, and 9cm paring knife) making slicing, dicing, and carving a genuine pleasure. An unparalleled set that will quite literally last through anything.
2. Braun MultiQuick 9 Hand Blender
Having tonnes of kitchen gadgets might sound enticing to some, but having one gadget doing the job of tonnes is clearly superio. With that in mind, the Braun MultiQuick 9 Hand Blender will make a brilliant gift for anyone looking to strip the number of things cluttering their kitchen down—particularly those suffering with limited counter and/or storage space. Equipped with multiple attachments, including a blending wand, whisk, chopper, and purée accessory, the appliance allows you to complete complex prep work in seconds—especially the ones that never quite go seamlessly by hand (chopping nuts and ginger, for personal example).
3. Stellar Eclipse Pan Set
Almost every chef I’ve ever met has a “favorite pan”, and they’re all stainless steel for good reason; better heat control, better flavor control, a robustness that allows you to do just about whatever you want without fear of ruining your investment, et al. It’s especially true in the case of the Stellar Eclipse pan set, which features tri-ply construction (read: rapid and even heat distribution) and comes with a lifetime guarantee. You’ll need less heat than you might expect if you’re transitioning from non-stainless steel, coated pans, but you’ll get the hang of it (and be cooking like The Bear) in no time.
4. B!POD DRO!D Vacuum System
This compact, frankly ingenious device removes up to 95% of oxygen from its specially designed containers, extending the shelf life of the food within up to five times longer than traditional methods. Ideal for reducing food waste and maintaining the quality of your ingredients (which, let’s be real, is the bane of anyone who doesn’t cook for more than two’s existence) the DRO!D Vacuum System is kind of a no-brainer. My favorite hack? If you marinade then vacuum your proteins in the containers, the time it takes to soak up all the flavor can be reduced from hours to minutes.
5. Zyliss Sustainable Utensils
Another excellent sustainable choice, Zyliss’ ergonomic utensil set is crafted from recycled materials and while, sure, they’re not the sexiest gift on this list, they’re a real pleasure to use and come with all the creds you could want. Dishwasher safe? Check. Strong and smooth? Check. A five-year warranty? Check. There’s even a removable divider to keep each utensil perfectly placed and easy to grab.
6. Goldie by Sourhouse
If the quest to perfect your sourdough has lasted long beyond lockdown, I’m extremely pleased to introduce you to Goldie by Sourhouse, a device designed to maintain your sourdough starter at the optimal temperature range of 75-82ºF (24-28ºC). By providing a consistent, warm environment, Goldie ensures your starter remains active and healthy, leading to better fermentation and superior bread. Its compact design makes for a pretty adorable countertop conversation starter, too.
7. Swan Nordic Duo 13-in-1 Air Fryer
There are air fryers and then there are air fryers. This thirteen-in-one appliance is the latter. As well as crisping up all the French fries, chicken skins and boring-until-fried meat alternatives you could hope to crisp up, this multifunctional machine also roasts, grills, bakes, and even dehydrates, offering a healthier alternative to a number of traditional cooking methods. Without taking up too much counter space, it’s two-drawer design means you can tackle two dishes at once, whether you’re prepping them for the same meal or simply want to hard boil a few eggs in one side while baking a cake in the other. Long story short, I can’t remember the last time I turned my oven on.
8. BRITA Cube Water Filter
Though often overlooked, the water we use to cook many of our favorite ingredients has a huge effect on its flavor. It’s important to consider—as many Michelin-starred chefs will tell you—as the majority of those ingredients are the staples of our diets; pasta, rice, potatoes, and more. All lacking purity of flavor in unfiltered water. Thankfully, there’s an easy solution in the BRITA Cube Water Filter. Combining the convenience of a kettle with advanced filtration technology, the BRITA Cube reduces impurities and chlorine straight from the source, enhancing the flavor of your meals and beverages alike. A significant step up from the in-fridge water filters the brand is famed for.
9. Hokan Bowls
I lose my mind when I discover things that are practical and pretty in equal measure, and Hokan’s multi-use, stackable bowls are no exception. The sturdy-yet-stunning stoneware can be used to cook, bake, serve, and store food, as well as being oven, microwave, freezer and dishwasher safe. Basically, a dinner party host’s dream kit. The volume of each bowl is also determined by its height, which keeps all of the lids (which double up as side dishes) the same size for each bowl. Genuinely exquisite gifting.
10. Thermapen ONE Thermometer
While the royalists among us might be convinced knowing this digital thermometer is used in Buckingham Palace, the fact that it’s also Michelin star chef-approved should be enough to convince just about anyone. Quite simply, it provides accurate readings in just one second, ensuring your dishes are cooked to perfection, whether they’re being cooked in the air fryer, oven, or something else. Its ergonomic design and backlit display make it easy to use in any kitchen environment, and the color selection is pretty rad, too.
11. Staub 3-Piece Cast Iron Pot Set
For the classic French chef in your life, STAUB’s three-piece cast iron pot set could quite seriously bring a person to tears. As the cookware brand of choice for almost half of all Michelin starred chefs in France, the brand’s wares come with a 30-year guarantee, and this particular set is capable of whipping up an entire menu with ease. It even comes with rim protectors, should you want to stack them, and color options include black, white, and a gorgeous cherry red. A heirloom and a half, in our estimations.
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