We've partnered with Yummly to help you choose the perfect gift for the aspiring chefs and food lovers in your life.
Learning to cook can be intimidating — especially if you don't have the right tools at your disposal. It's tough to create a restaurant-quality meal when you're working with dull knives and subpar pans.
This holiday season, treat the aspiring chef in your life to one of these cooking gifts that can help them gain confidence in the kitchen. Whether you choose a colorful dutch oven or eco-friendly cutting board, any one of these kitchen gifts will make cooking easier and more fun.
Studiopatró Cross-Back Linen Kitchen Apron
When you look like you know your way around the kitchen, you feel like you do. A gorgeous linen apron ($84) will help any home cook feel less like an amateur and more like their favorite cookbook author.
Yummly Smart Thermometer
Cooking meat can be particularly nerve-wracking: You don't want to ruin wild-caught salmon or an expensive steak by over- or under-cooking it. That's where the Yummly Smart Thermometer ($90) comes in handy: This bluetooth-enabled thermometer allows you to monitor your dish from up to 150 feet away, ensuring your dinner always comes out at the ideal temperature.
Great Jones The Dutchess
A quality Dutch oven ($155) is one of those kitchen tools they'll use over and over again for everything from pasta with Sunday sauce to homemade bread. Choose a color that matches their aesthetic, like this bright mustard for a pop of color or charcoal grey for those who favor neutrals.
Material The reBoard
Upgrade their cutting board to this option made from recycled plastic ($35) to make chopping, mincing, and julienning easier. Plus, it's dishwasher-safe and comes in lovely colors.
Shun Classic Western Chef's Knife
If they haven't yet invested in a full set of knives, get them started with a mid-size chef's knife ($100). The six-inch blade is large enough to handle just about any cutting job, but not so big that it's intimidating to wield.
How to Cook Everything: The Basics by Mark Bittman
This book by Mark Bittman ($26) is the go-to resource for cooking newbies, with page after page of easy-to-follow recipes for salads, soups, desserts, proteins, and more. Pair it with a sleek cookbook stand ($18) so it's easy to keep track of the page while cooking.
OXO Simple Mandoline
For recipes that require precise, uniform slicing, a mandoline ($42) is a lifesaver. This handy tool can effortlessly slice just about anything. Try making homemade potato chips — it's the ultimate flex.
Instant Pot Duo Nova Pressure Cooker
Slow cookers are an easy way to build up your culinary confidence. For most recipes, you simply add the ingredients, set the time and temperature, and wait. The Instant Pot ($100) combines the humble slow cooker with a super-fast pressure cooker, giving new cooks two tools in one.
Lodge Blacklock Triple Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet
A cast iron skillet ($60) creates a gorgeous crust on everything from steaks to roasted vegetables to brownies. It's a multi-functional must-have for any kitchen — and choosing a pre-seasoned model means even less work for the cook.
Cuisinart 4-Cup Elemental Food Processor
Making homemade pesto, garlic aioli, or peanut sauce can really make you feel like a chef. The easiest way to do that? Blitzing all the ingredients in a food processor ($40).
Spicewalla 18 Pack Kitchen Essentials Collection
Kitchen novices might be surprised at the difference in flavor when you cook with high-quality spices. Since top-notch options can be a bit pricier than what you'll find in the grocery store, a set of 18 essential herbs and spices ($90) makes a lovely gift.
