Got a Friend Who Takes ’The Bear’ Too Seriously? Get Them One of These Gifts for Chefs

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Both home and professional chefs can be particular about their tools of the trade, making it tough to shop when you want to gift them something they can add to their culinary arsenal.

They probably have tried and trusted knives, go-to cookware, and favorite seasonings already filling their spice racks. Though their knives may be pristinely organized and their skillets perfectly seasoned, there are still plenty of opportunities to wow them this coming holiday season. Whether it’s giving them an upgrade on one of their essential tools or an entirely new discovery, we’ve scoured the net to bring you some gift ideas that will speak to the chef you hold dear.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

No one can ever have too much olive oil. It’s the preferred base for emulsifying salad dressings, drizzling on soon-to-be-roasted veggies, and dipping some fresh baked bread. Frankie’s 457 is organic and has a fresh, slightly peppery taste they can use as either a cooking or finishing oil. Plus the bottle will look good on the counter (and any chef will tell you that an opaque bottle is best for olive oil so the sunlight doesn’t make it spoil—bonus!).

Partanna Mission Spicy Chili Oil

Home chefs looking for a kick will love Partanna’s spicy chili oil. It’s infused with spicy peperoncino (a.k.a., Italian chilies) for the right amount of heat that isn’t salty or overpowering. I’ve used it to make eggs, spice up tacos, and sauté veggies and it’s a good way to spice up some of my favorite recipes. Best of all, it doesn’t have chili crisp chunks in it, which are delicious but burn easily when you’re cooking.

The Open Bowl

Most home chefs probably won’t want to buy themselves a $45 bowl, but if they create content around food or host family dinners or supper clubs, this upscale dish can take things to the next level.

Material’s ceramic bowls are perfect for salads, noodles, and saucy dishes, or they can be used as a small fruit bowl. The interior has a slight glossy finish and textured while the exterior is matte giving it a unique look. It’s microwave and dishwasher safe for easy cleaning.

Starter Set

Expand your recipes this set of eight different spice blends. The set comes with a book of tips and tricks to inspire fresh ideas. Each blend uses unique, authentic spices that you may not think to use when buying individual spices.

The Avocado Topper blend is similar to Trader Joe’s Everything But the Bagel seasoning but adds pink peppercorns for a different taste. The Chicken Allrounder blend includes fennel seed and fenugreek and makes an excellent dry rub for any poultry.

Double R Ranch Steak Bundle

A box of premium cuts of USDA Prime beef will have any carnivorous cooks excited to fire up the grill. The bundle includes a 2-pound bone-in cowboy steak, two NY strip steaks, and four top sirloin steaks. It also has a bottle of Double R’s signature steak seasoning so all they need to do is start the fire and get cooking.

Pepper Cannon

This sleek pepper cannon lives up to its name with its speed and efficiency. You’ll only need a couple of turns for a teaspoon of freshly ground pepper. You can change the grind size depending on what you’re cooking to be sure of consistent texture every time.

While I do love my Le Creuset mills, this cannon is what I reach for when cooking. While using store-bought ground pepper is easier, the pepper cannon’s output gives you that same volume of freshly cracked pepper in a couple of turns. It’s perfect when making a big dish or pot of soup.

Reusable Silicone Food Savers (5-pack)

This set of food savers can keep produce fresh without blowing through disposable bags and it will prevent your expensive heirloom tomato or half-zested lemon from going to waste. The opening stretches to cover different fruits and veggies and you can throw them in the dishwasher for easy clean up.

3-Pocket Utensil Caddy

A handy caddy that can tote essential utensils or favorite spices and sauces, this handmade ceramic piece will look good in use or sitting on your countertop. The blue glaze finish and three-pocket design perfectly combine form and function.

Large 10-in. Molcajete

One of the oldest culinary tools, mortars and pestles continue to be a must for any home chef. The rough interior texture on this molcajete ensures efficient grinding of spices or blending together chilis for salsa.

I put garlic into pretty much everything I make and like to have a bunch on hand. A molcajete is a quicker way to mince a week’s worth and isn’t as tedious as using a knife.

Marble Cookbook Stand

Every painter needs an easel and every chef could use this elegant stand. Made from solid marble, it’ll prop up their cookbook or tablet with sophisticated style and won’t stain if anything spills or splashes. Clean it up with an easy wipe or wash it in the sink like any other dish.

All-in-1 Vegetable Chopper

This chopper offers great functionality with five interchangeable blades to cover slicing and grating needs. The catch tray stores anything that’s been freshly chopped and will save your chef a lot of time with both prep and clean-up.

Our deputy editor of reviews, Zoë Hannah, got this as a gift a few holiday seasons ago and she uses it anytime she cooks for more than a few people—especially for recipes that call for a rough chop.

Karu 16 Multi-Fuel Outdoor Pizza Oven

This Karu 16 is our pick for the Best Overall pizza oven for its consistent heating and large firebox that hold plenty of fuel. The large interior can make 16-inch pizzas, but it can do so much more than just pies—think naan, roasted fish, and kebabs.

And of course, who wouldn’t get excited to create their own pizza at home? It’s easily transportable to use for parties as well.

Plus Smart Meat Thermometer

The Meater Plus made our list of Best Meat Thermometers for its intuitive app and user-friendly operation. It has a sleek design and includes a bamboo case that doubles as a charger.

The probe can read temperatures at two different depths of your meat and tell you the ambient temperature inside your grill or smoker. You can monitor temps from your phone and set target temps for different proteins. The probe is dishwasher-safe and the case is easy to wipe clean.

Paring Knife

If you’re hesitant to gift something that’s such an essential tool, a small paring knife from Made In will be appreciated by any enthusiast as the brand works with chefs to ensure its cookware that holds up to industry specs. The knives are well-balanced and dishwasher-safe (though we always recommend hand-washing your knives), giving your chef precise handling that’s easy to clean.

Whetstone Knife Sharpening Stone

Keep their tools of the trade in good shape with this sharpening stone set on a bamboo no-slip base. It has two stones: one for honing and the other for heavy-duty sharpening. There’s also an included angle guide to make honing easier and prevent damaging your knife’s edge. It doesn’t just do kitchen knives, either—it can be used to sharpen straight razors, hunting knives, or barber tools.

Universal Sheath for Chef and Santoku Knives

After your chef has sharpened their go-to knives, give them the gift of protection with this universal sheath. The beechwood case has a similar finish to bamboo giving them some stylish protection and the locking pin ensures a secured fit.

Oil & Vinegar Cruet Set

This oil-and-vinegar cruet set works for both prep and serving and comes in a variety of colors to match your other cookware. The porcelain enamel-glaze finish is chip-resistant, scratch-resistant, and easy to clean.

Spicy Chili Crisp Sauce

This spicy chili crisp sauce is a good way to freshen up your chef’s spice rack and go-to ingredients. The sauce adds both heat and crunch with fire-roasted chili bits and soy beans. It can liven up tired recipes or save one that didn’t come out quite right. A zero-effort dinner is putting a spoonful of this on some ramen noodles with chopped up celery and a squeeze of lemon.

Beeswax Food Storage Wrap (3-Pack)

These beeswax food wraps will help cut down on plastic and aluminum waste while keeping their favorite foods and leftovers fresh. They can be used to wrap cheeses, keep avocado halves from going bad, or cover a bowl of fruit salad. They’re also a sustainable substitute for packing lunches instead of using plastic bags. The wraps can be hand-washed for repeated use that’ll last over a year.

Stainless Steel Odor Absorber Bar

This odor absorbing bar can get rid of unpleasant smells that come along with cooking without going through a bunch of bars or bottle of soap. Instead of masking odors, the stainless steel bar neutralizes odor and is effective with or without water.

Now your favorite cook won’t have to worry about smelling like onions, garlic, or fish, and these bars last a lifetime. Throw them in the dishwasher if they encounter any spills and they stay just as effective.

Leather Knife Roll

A good knife roll is essential for transporting your favorite knives and tools. This vintage-style leather roll will age and patina over time, gaining more character as your giftee uses it. The interior has slots and a zippered pouch to keep things organized and secure, and the top handle and strap make it easy to carry.

Hard Cover Pocket Notebook

A good pocket notebook is ideal for jotting down notes or ideas that may pop up in your chef’s head or while they’re cooking. These have lined paper and a hard cover that can handle a bit of spills and mess that’s expected in the kitchen.

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