Buzz
Finding the perfect gift can be challenging—even for the most food-obsessed people. While I would never refuse a set of oven mitts, not all food lovers are into cooking. Foodies have varying tastes, cooking skills, and interest levels. This list caters to everyone from those fascinated by the science of food to those who simply enjoy a playful kitchen gadget. Here are the best gift ideas for the food lover in your life, divided into categories for those who love to cook and those who prefer to eat.
Gift Ideas for Food Lovers Who Truly Enjoy Cooking
Some may be obsessed with food-themed fashion, while others dream of running a five-star kitchen. These are the types who would appreciate a practical gift over a quirky kitchen sign. If you're shopping for a foodie who loves to cook, here's what they’d truly appreciate.
A Culinary Workshop
Cooking classes are a fantastic option for both amateur and professional chefs, yet it's something many wouldn’t splurge on for themselves—making it an ideal gift. One-time cooking experiences can range from wine pairing sessions to crafting homemade doughnuts or mastering the art of a perfectly seared steak. These classes often have smaller groups, allowing instructors to give personalized attention and accommodate various skill levels.
I recommend exploring nearby culinary schools. Their instructors are typically seasoned or former professional chefs, and in addition to offering formal programs, these schools frequently hold public classes. I've always appreciated the recreational courses at the Institute of Culinary Education: You can view their schedule here.
If a traditional cooking school feels a bit too formal (or isn't accessible), consider something more relaxed like The League of Kitchens. This platform offers a unique opportunity to dive into cultural cuisines, with classes such as 'Persian Cooking Online' and 'Japanese 'Taste Of' Workshop.' Some sessions are in-person, where participants visit the instructor’s home to cook, while others are online, allowing you to learn from anywhere.
A high-quality apron or chef’s coat can make a thoughtful gift.
What do professional chefs and home cooks share in common? Neither one enjoys ruining their clothes. A reliable apron is always a welcome gift, and since they wear out over time, it’s likely your recipient might need a replacement soon. Consider gifting a 2-pack of bib-style aprons for casual home cooking, or opt for a chic, functional chef's coat by Hedley & Bennett for the professional chef.
A butter keeper makes an excellent gift for anyone who enjoys the simple pleasure of buttered toast. The butter keeper, typically made of ceramic or stone, helps keep butter fresh at room temperature for longer periods. (Learn more about how it works here.) Available in a variety of sizes and colors, it also serves as a charming piece of kitchen decor, while ensuring your butter is always soft and spreadable, never cold and hard from the fridge.
A butter keeper is a great present not only for chefs or passionate home cooks but also for anyone who enjoys a perfectly buttered slice of bread. Made from ceramic or stone, its innovative design keeps butter soft and spreadable at room temperature. With various styles and sizes to choose from, it’s also a decorative touch for any countertop, ensuring that butter stays at the right consistency all the time.
The Anova combi steam oven offers a versatile and advanced cooking experience.
For the gadget lover in your life, the Anova combi steam oven is the ultimate kitchen tool. It combines the swift convection of a countertop air fryer with the innovation of steam injection, letting you control humidity levels for baking and roasting. Whether it's creating the perfect sourdough or roasting carrots without losing moisture, this is a game-changer for any food enthusiast who loves to experiment in the kitchen.
A next-level air fryer with upgraded functionality and versatility.
No matter their expertise in the kitchen, every home chef could benefit from an air fryer. If they only have a basic model, why not surprise them with a stylish upgrade? One of my top picks is the Cuisinart Air Fryer and Toaster Oven for its impressive efficiency and whisper-quiet performance. Don't miss my full review here.
Boutique olive oil
If you're someone who appreciates unique, artisanal finishing oils, this one's for you. If the recipient loves cooking, traveling, or just drizzling oil on their dishes, this gift will be perfect. Look for rare varieties that aren’t mass-produced. Small Mediterranean shops or Italian markets often stock oils you won't find elsewhere in the U.S. On a trip to the Hudson Valley, I discovered The Blue Olive, where you can find distinctive options like bacon-infused extra virgin olive oil or cold-smoked oils—ideal for any culinary enthusiast.
Meal kit subscriptions
Meal kit subscriptions are a fantastic choice for a beginner chef or someone with a busy schedule who loves to cook but can't always find the time to shop. You can customize the number of kits you receive each month, choose your dietary preferences, and decide how much cooking you're up for. Blue Apron offers a wide variety of options, so you're sure to find the perfect match for your foodie. Dinnerly allows for customization based on food allergies, dietary restrictions, or even "picky eater approved" meals, with difficulty levels suited for novice cooks. For those with specific dietary goals, Factor75’s meal kits offer pre-portioned, balanced meals with a focus on carbs, fats, and proteins.
A cocktail shaker toolkit
For food lovers, it’s not always about the food itself. Sometimes, they enjoy a good drink as well. If the chef in your life loves experimenting with cocktails, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, a cocktail shaker toolkit is an excellent gift. It’s a practical present that will be put to use immediately and is far more affordable than other kitchen gadgets or cooking classes. Plus, this set will be part of many toasts and celebrations for years to come.
The ideal gifts for a foodie who doesn’t enjoy cooking
The same person who keeps track of every new restaurant opening, or couldn't contain their excitement over the mini tomato earrings they saw online last week, might also have a strong dislike for cooking. Not all food lovers are chefs, but we appreciate their enthusiasm for all things culinary. Here are some great gift ideas for the foodie who won't touch a pan.
A set of great steak knives
Even if they aren't fond of cooking, they certainly love eating. Gift them a set of high-quality steak knives so they can enjoy their takeout or delivery in style. I recommend this set from Quince, which has the perfect weight, a comfortable ergonomic grip, and a straight edge that's easy to sharpen. You can read my full review of this steak knife set and others here.
A restaurant gift card (seriously)
It might seem simple, but giving a fully paid meal at a restaurant they've been wanting to try is a true treat. This gift is versatile—it’s perfect for the foodie who doesn’t like to cook, or the one who could use a break from the constant kitchen duties. Then there are the true restaurant enthusiasts. They might dabble in cooking, but what they really love is keeping up with the latest restaurant openings and tallying their dining experiences. Look for the newest hotspots in their area, make a reservation (in a clever way to ensure they can actually go), get the gift card, and give them the gift of trendy dining and great food.
The Hot Ones hot sauce challenge kit
The Hot Ones 10-pack makes for the ultimate gift for anyone who loves hot sauce, wings, or is a fan of the Hot Ones show. Even if you think they've already treated themselves to a kit, there’s a good chance they don’t have every single bottle. You can choose from 10-packs from recent seasons, or mix and match from different seasons to create your own fiery assortment; the only thing missing will be the interview questions, which you'll need to provide on your own.
S’mores extendable skewers
Surprisingly, opportunities for making s’mores arise more often than expected, and almost everyone enjoys them. Whether it's a hiker-camper roasting over a campfire or a snack enthusiast warming marshmallows on the kitchen stove, extendable, telescoping skewers make it possible to indulge in s’mores all year long. Simply extend the prong-end from the handle, skewer a marshmallow or two, and roast from a safe distance without straining your shoulder or burning your hands.
These skewers are perfect for any s’mores occasion, especially for those who enjoy the outdoors. I gifted a set to my brother when he got an outdoor fire pit, and since then, he and his family have used them not only for marshmallows but also for sausages when camping.
Bee’s wrap
Plastic wrap is a major contributor to waste in both home and professional kitchens. For the eco-conscious chef wanting to cut down on single-use plastic, Bee’s wrap makes the perfect gift. Made of beeswax-coated cotton fabric, it's washable and reusable. The flexible cotton combined with the wax coating makes it waterproof and resistant to bacteria. Simply warm the wrap with your hands and press it onto a bowl to seal leftovers, or wrap it around a half-cut bell pepper. The warmth activates the wax to cling to surfaces for temporary storage, eliminating the need for disposable plastic wrap.
Celebs on sandwiches art print
Think your favorite foodie has everything? They may still be missing sandwich art. Celebs on Sandwiches is a collection of watercolor artworks that depict exactly what you'd expect—celebrities resting on sandwiches. These sandwiches are often tied to the celebrity in a creative way or feature a playful pun, such as Freddy Mercury enjoying a shrimp po' boy (from a po' family), or Taylor Swift paired with a chicken tender and ‘seemingly ranch.’
These prints make a wonderful gift for almost anyone, because we all have favorite stars, and the sandwiches add a humorous, whimsical element that is bound to spark joy. Find a print of a celebrity your foodie adores, or explore the chefs collection for more culinary-themed options.
Food fashion
For the chef or foodie who loves to express their unique style, consider a bit of food-inspired fashion. Go for practicality with a professional chef’s hat from Hedley & Bennett, or opt for something more playful like a tomato red velour jumpsuit from Rao’s Homemade, emblazoned with the brand name on the back. If that’s too bold, you can always explore alternatives like this adult pineapple onesie.
International food magazines are a fantastic source of inspiration for any food lover. My best ideas often come from flipping through magazines in foreign languages. One of my favorites is La Cucina, and This French magazine also piques my interest. A subscription to an international food magazine makes for an exciting gift for a cook who wants to expand their culinary horizons. The photographs are always breathtaking, and the recipes often spark new flavor combinations or cooking techniques to try. When I decide to recreate a recipe, I rely on the Google Translate app to help decipher measurements and important terms.
An international food magazine
