The 10 Best Gifts for Food Lovers, According to Professional Chefs

Do you have a friend or family member who loves to cook? Then you’ve probably experienced a certain level of sheer stress when deciding what to gift them. There are so many utensils, so many niche ingredients, and so many tiny kitchen gadgets that claim “this will change your life.” It’s easy to give up and default to another scented candle or patterned tea towel, but you don’t need to. We’re here to help!

We asked professional chefs — the ultimate food lovers — what gifts to get for people who value eating and cooking. From entry-level utensils to thoughtfully curated pantry items, these are the best gifts to get for your loved ones who know their way around the kitchen. 

Jacobsen Salt Co. Pure Flake Sea Salt

“Everyone likes salt and uses it in some form,” says 2018 F&W Best New Chef Katianna Hong of Yangban in Los Angeles. But, as Hong explains, a flavored seasoning salt might be the kind of thing that sits in the back of someone’s pantry, untouched for years. A finishing salt, on the other hand, can be sprinkled on just about anything. “A quality salt is so universal. I find that it’s a nice gift because it’s something that people don’t always splurge on or treat themselves to.” Hong recommends getting Jacobsen Salt Co.’s pure flake sea salt, which is harvested on the Oregon Coast. For just $15, one bag will go a long way.

Shun Classic 8-Inch Chef’s Knife

“The best gift for a person who loves food is a beautiful knife,” says 2017 F&W Best New Chef Val Cantu of Californios in San Francisco. “When I first showed interest in cooking, my then girlfriend (now wife) bought me a Shun chef’s knife, and that really set the hook for me. I looked for every opportunity to use that knife.” There are a ton of great options for entry-level chef’s knives, but we love Shun’s Classic 8-Inch for its durability, comfortable D-shaped handle, and stunning blade.

King Whetstone Starter Set

Does your loved one already have a good knife? Then it’s time to get them a whetstone. “A good quality Japanese whetstone will keep their knife sharp and take their chopping skills to the next level,” says 2014 F&W Best New Chef Ari Taymor. He says to look out for double-sided whetstones with a fine side that’s 1,000-grit and a more coarse, 6,000-grit side. Our favorite is the beginner-friendly King Whetstone, which includes a wiping cloth, a plastic base, and an angle holder to maintain sharpening accuracy.

Peugeot Paris u’Select 9-inch Pepper Mill

According to 2023 F&W Best New Chef Amanda Shulman, freshly ground pepper is infinitely better than pre-ground. “Get that pre-cracked pepper out of here,” she says. For an instant kitchen upgrade, Shulman loves gifting Peugeot pepper mills, which she calls, “a total game changer.” Excelling in fine and medium grinds, we love this pepper grinder for everyday seasoning. 

Let’s Eat France!

For fellow “book nerds,” Shulman’s go-to gift is Let’s Eat France!, a comprehensive and joy-filled guide to cooking like the French by François-Régis Gaudry. “It’s equal parts romance and recipes, geography and history. There’s something for everyone no matter if they actually are a serious cook or just love food.” Here’s hoping that come next year, the giftee will return the favor with homemade pâté en croûte or ratatouille.

Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Skillet

2024 F&W Best New Chef Leina Horii of Kisser in Nashville thinks that a large, seasoned cast iron skillet makes for a fantastic (albeit, heavy) holiday gift. “It is the most versatile cooking vessel,” she says. “You can sear meat, make fresh tortillas, and even bake cornbread.” The enameled cast iron skillet by Le Creuset is excellent at retaining heat and easy to clean. Even our writer, Nick DeSimone, says it’s their “go-to for gifting.”

John Boos Chop-N-Slice Maple Cutting Board

“I think a gorgeous, large Boos cutting board is a fabulous gift,” says 2022 F&W Best New Chef Caroline Schiff. John Boos cutting boards are iconic, and for good reason. Their large, wooden slabs are incredibly stable and look just as stylish on a countertop as they do on a dining room table. “Not only can you use it as a cutting board, but it makes a really great surface for presenting cheese, charcuterie, crudités, cookie spreads, and more.”

Nesco VS-12 Vacuum Sealer

2024 F&W Best New Chef Mary Attea, chef of Raf’s in New York City, likes to gift ingredients and tools that she uses in her own kitchen. Her current pick: a great vacuum sealer. Used in restaurants around the world, vacuum sealers are designed to tightly wrap food by removing all the air from the bag it’s in. “It helps people preserve ingredients and prevent waste,” she says. “It’s such a great tool for freezing items as well.” Our testing lab’s favorite vacuum sealer is the Nesco VS-12 — its double-seal function is fool-proof.

Spicewalla 10 Pack Kitchen Essentials Collection

For a gift that encourages play and experimentation in the kitchen, 2024 F&W Best New Chef and Raf’s pastry chef Camari Mick recommends a high-quality spice set. “It’s practical, inspiring, and it feels indulgent without being overwhelming,” she says. “Plus, they’ll think of you every time they use it.” Spicewalla (founded by 2023 F&W Game Changer Meherwan Irani) makes spice sets of all types, from an everything seasoning pack to a holiday baking collection, but the most crowd-pleasing is their Kitchen Essentials Collection. This set of ten common spices is ideal for anyone who recently moved into a new home or needs to restock their kitchen. 

Flavorama

“There is a cookbook out there for everyone, says 2024 F&W Best New Chef Silver Iocovozzi of Neng Jr.’s in Asheville, North Carolina. He loves gifting loved ones cookbooks that reflect their niche interests. And if those interests revolve around food science, Iocovozzi suggests going with Flavorama: A Guide to Unlocking the Art and Science of Flavor. Written by flavor scientist Arielle Johnson, this book explores all things flavor — the chemistry behind it, how we experience it, and how to maximize it in our cooking.