The biggest problem with giving a gift to a home chef is there is so much marketing in the way that it’s hard to tell what is a legitimate, long-lasting purchase, and what is just a fad. On top of that, you may have trouble giving a gift if you're not sure what screams "thoughtful" versus "this was on sale."

If you’re struggling to find a good gift for your home chef, here are some ideas for every budget.

Bargain (less than $20)

1. Thermometer: This is the first suggestion I would give to anyone. Everyone almost always has the essentials except for a high-quality thermometer that they use regularly. If you want consistent results (and to stop relying on kitchen timers like a caveman), a thermometer is the way to go. This also comes in a variety of sizes and uses; I have an everyday thermometer stuck to the side of my fridge, but I also have a two-probe, multi-zone, radio-transmitting thermometer that I use when I barbecue, and one day I’d like to upgrade to a thermometer with a bluetooth app. You can go bargain or break the bank, and either way it’ll be worth it.
2. Cookie/cupcake scoop: Uniformity is key for cookies that bake evenly. It’s also multi-purpose—think meatballs or even ice cream. A small but mighty addition to any kitchen. My wife has a collection of three different scoops (one for cookies, two for different sizes of cupcakes and muffins).
3. Knife sharpener or honing rod: A sharp knife is the cornerstone of good cooking. A honing rod maintains the edge, while a sharpener restores it. And let’s be real… I’ve only ever met two people who keep their knives sharp; one of them is me and the other is my grandma. So I would bet almost immediately that the chef in your life could use a nice sharpener.
4. Chainmail: This is for cleaning cast iron and stainless steel. It’s practical, durable, and oddly satisfying to use—perfect for a cookware perfectionist. It’s also much nicer on the hands than steel wool, and it lasts a lot longer.
5. Bench scraper: I recently fell in love with this simple tool because it is so versatile and efficient. Use it to portion dough, scoop chopped ingredients, or scrape off counters. It’s the Swiss Army knife of baking and prep work. I use it endlessly to keep my workstation clean (thus making kitchen cleanup super easy) and to move ingredients from the cutting board to the frying pan.
6. High-quality salt: I’ve written about this before, but we currently suffer from a lack of good salt. We became fixated on iodized salt during the great depression, but now that everyone is back to getting healthy amounts of iodine in their normal diet, we don’t need so much iodized salt. Good thing, too, because it adds a weird, metallic taste that we’ve gotten used to and associate with normal salt! Upgrade your chef to some high-quality coarse salt for cooking or a nice finishing salts like Maldon or fleur de sel. It’ll change their life.
7. Spice grinder: Freshly toasted and ground spices are far superior in flavor. If your chef is the type to care about quality, this is a must-have for unlocking the potential of spices.
8. Microplane: A miracle tool for zesting citrus, grating garlic or ginger, and shredding cheese into delicate wisps. Small but endlessly useful.

Midfield (most of these are under $50)

1. Immersion Blender: A hand blender is ideal for soups, sauces, and purees without hauling out a full blender. Compact and powerful—a kitchen game-changer. I use mine all the time as a spur of the moment decision, and it’s not as fun to improvise like that when it’s an entire blender you have to pull out and assemble.
2. Mandolin: Razor-thin, uniform slices are almost impossible to achieve with a knife. These are great for salads, gratins, or garnishing. Just get one with a hand guard, unless you want its of finger in on top of your salad.
3. Mortar & Pestle: The tactile joy of grinding spices or making fresh pesto is unparalleled. It’s traditional, stylish, and functional for a cooking enthusiast. I use my mortar and pestle far more than my spice grinder.
4. Sous Vide Cooker: For the gadget lover, sous vide opens up precision cooking. Perfect steaks, tender chicken, and infusions—and it’s shockingly affordable when you think about the number of high-price kitchens that use them.

High-End (over $100)

1. Chef’s knife: Every cook needs a top-quality knife. It’s the workhorse of the kitchen and dramatically improves prep work. 90% of my knife work is with a chef’s knife, 8% with a paring knife when I need to be super precise, and 2% with a bread knife when I need to cut bread (or slice tomatoes at a friend's house because he doesn’t sharpen his knives). Pick a brand with a reputation like Shun or Wüsthof.
2. Stand mixer: Baking, kneading, whipping—it handles it all. If your chef loves baking or experimenting in the kitchen, this is the Rolls-Royce of appliances. I was super happy with the mixer I bought my wife several years ago, but the more time goes by the more I wish I had my own mixer—my wife’s is good for nothing but baking, while I want the versatility of a meat grinder, pasta maker, and mixer.
3. High-quality cast iron skillet: Nothing beats cast iron for searing, baking, or making pizza. It’s indestructible, versatile, and improves with use. This has been a chef’s best friend for decades. My grandma got me a very nice skillet several years ago, and my wife has called it my “mistress” ever since. Now, what’s the difference between really nice and really cheap cast iron? The texture of the metal. A cheap skillet is rough and jagged, which means the seasoning only does so much, and food is much more likely to stick. Meanwhile, a nice pan has been sanded down thoroughly, leaving a smooth surface. Season a surface like that, and you’ve got a pan that only stainless teflon can beat. Plus, nicer pans heat more evenly while cheap pans are much more prone to heat pockets.

How Do I Choose the Right Gift?

• Practicality: Does your chef have a glaring gap in their tools? A knife sharpener or cast iron skillet might be practical essentials.
• Specialization: Is your chef more into baking, cooking, or gadgets? A stand mixer appeals to bakers; sous vide fits a gadget lover.
• Style: Does your chef value classic tools (e.g., mortar & pestle, bench scraper) or cutting-edge tech (e.g., sous vide, immersion blender)?
• Wow factor: Do you want a flashy gift or a subtle, everyday-use item? A chef’s knife or stand mixer makes a big impression, while salt or a Microplane is understated brilliance.

Now that’s that! Merry Christmas and enjoy your holiday!