My 15 Favorite Cooking Gifts This Holiday Season

The Best Cooking Gifts for Home Cooks, Chefs, and Foodies

1. For the Pasta Artisan: Atlas 150 Pasta Machine

This pasta machine is my all-time favorite. I’ve owned it for nearly two decades (it was a thoughtful gift from my husband’s Italian mother and has been a staple in my kitchen ever since). This durable and hefty pasta maker simplifies countertop pasta preparation. With dual-sided attachments, you can effortlessly roll out and cut spaghetti, lasagne, fettuccine, and tagliolini. Reliable, affordable, and built to last, it’s perfect for loved ones who are interested in dipping a toe in the world of at-home pasta making without making things too complicated. 

2. For the Hostess: Marble and Olive Wood Cheese Board Set

If you have a friend who’s always hosting dinner parties and cocktail hours galore, a cheese board set is the ultimate gift. I absolutely love this beautiful handcrafted option from Williams-Sonoma – it’s like the VIP treatment for your charcuterie game! It’s handcrafted from sustainably-sourced, Italian olivewood and accented by pretty Greek marble. Not only is it practical thanks to the included knives with stainless steel blades, but once they top it with their favorite spread of cheeses, meats, and nuts, it’ll look like a work of art. 

3. For the Gardener at Heart: AeroGarden Harvest Herb Garden

This ever-popular, indoor hydroponic gardening system lets you grow your favorite herbs or veggies right on your kitchen countertop. The high-performance LEDs mimic natural sunlight to help them sprout up to 5 times faster than traditional soil. Plus, the touch-sensitive control panel makes it easy to know when to add water and plant food – worry-free gardening at its best! It’s the ultimate gift for anyone who loves a bit of green in their kitchen! Pair it with some herb scissors, and you’ve got a fantastic gift combo.

4. For the Precision Perfectionist: WÜSTHOF Classic 9-Piece Knife Set

One of the best cooking gifts you can give to a chef or home cook is a reliable set of kitchen knives. These German-made knives are precision-forged from high-carbon stainless steel, which means they have 20% sharper blades and twice the edge retention than your average set. I also love that they come with a limited lifetime warranty. I’ll admit that they’re on the pricier side, but it’s a thoughtful present for anyone who takes home cooking seriously, especially because they’ll last a lifetime!

5. For the Veggie Lover: Spiralizer 7-Blade Vegetable Slicer

This veggie spiralizer is a necessity for making yummy noodles from zucchini, carrots, and more (just check out my guide here). This model in particular is awesome — it has great functionality and it can handle those tricky veggies like sweet potatoes without breaking a sweat. It’s loved by thousands on Amazon (it has a 4.5-star rating right now). This kitchen gadget is the perfect gift for anyone who loves experimenting with healthy meals.  

6. For the One-Pot Meal Master: Le Creuset Round Dutch Oven

No kitchen is complete without at least one piece from the famed French cooking brand, Le Creuset. Handcrafted with top-notch materials, this Dutch oven is the real deal. It’s the go-to for home cooks and master chefs worldwide – including me! I use mine to make delicious meals like my beef bourguignon and one-pot lemon chicken. From slow cooking to roasting and even frying, this Dutch oven does it all. It’s a kitchen essential, and something that your foodie friend would be very happy to receive. Still not convinced? Check out my guide on all things Dutch ovens. 

7. For the One Who Loves the Classics: Lodge Cast Iron Skillet 

Every home cook needs a classic cast iron skillet – it’s like an American kitchen superhero! However, if your budget won’t stretch to Le Creuset then an affordable brand such as Lodge is your next best option. I love my collection of Lodge cast iron pans and use them regularly to make my pan-sear salmon and or my breakfast scramble. Cast iron is strong, durable, and versatile. What’s not to love? This pan has more than 107,000 reviews on Amazon with a star rating of 4.7. Check out my full review of this cast iron skillet here.  

8. For the Breakfast Enthusiast:  All-Clad Belgian Waffle Maker

This All-Clad waffle maker has 7 toastiness levels, so your waffles are as crispy as you like. It’s practically a waffle whisperer, alerting you when to pour the batter and when it’s ready. Plus, it makes two square-shaped beauties at once. The design is on point with easy-to-cut sections and extra-deep pockets for all your topping dreams. Cleanup is effortless too. Your breakfast crew will thank you! 

9. For the Grill Master: Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Square Skillet

Le Creuset is on my list again because this iconic cookware brand makes some of the best cooking gifts, and this cast iron grill pan is no exception. When it comes to grilling, it’s a game-changer for the grill master in your life. This enameled cast iron is incredible at even heat distribution, works on any cooktop, and can handle the oven like a champ. Steaks, burgers, shrimp – you name it, this skillet has got it covered. And the best part? Pop it in the dishwasher when you’re done.

10. For the Culinary Explorer: Easy Culinary Science Cookbook

I wrote this cookbook to help break down the science of cooking in a way that’s not only easy to understand, but also makes everyday cooking faster, easier, and more delicious! Whether your friend is a seasoned chef or just starting out, this cookbook will boost their skills and confidence in the kitchen. It’s a gift that keeps on giving for friends and loved ones who love to cook!

11. For the One Strapped for Time: Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker 

I’m a huge fan of Instant Pot. I love the fact you can create a huge variety of recipes without the stress. I regularly use mine to make Instant Pot Swedish meatballs or my Instant Pot butter chicken. The pressure build-up inside the Instant Pot elevates the cooking temperatures while using hot steam to soften the cells of the food within minutes. If your friend is pressed for time in the kitchen or just wants to ease the stress of whipping up delicious homemade meals, the Duo makes for one of the best cooking gifts. 

12. For the Air Fry Fanatic: Ninja DualZone Air Fryer

If your gift recipient is obsessed with air frying, help them step up their game with this dual air fryer from Ninja. This one’s the real deal: it’s got 2 independent baskets, so you can cook two things at once, saving them from that back-to-back cooking hassle. The DualZone Technology is like cooking magic – choose the Smart Finish for foods finishing at the same time or use the Match Cook button for the full 8-quart capacity. 

13. For the Spice Aficionado: AOZITA Glass Spice Jar Set

These handy glass spice jars are the perfect stocking stuffers! I use them to store my rib rub and apple pie spice. The set comes with everything you need including 24 square empty glass spice jars, 24 shaker lids, 24 metal caps, and two types of waterproof spice jar labels (pre-printed clear labels, chalkboard labels, and blank labels). And the collapsible silicone funnel makes refilling simple! It’s the ultimate spice storage solution!

14. For the Budding Mixologist: Classic Cocktail Shaker Set

This cocktail shaker set from Williams Sonoma is a great gift for anyone who wants to elevate their mixology game and turn any gathering into a celebration. It’s professional quality, and ideal for spicing up any home bar cart. Whether your friend is a cocktail enthusiast or just loves hosting fabulous get-togethers, this set keeps the good times flowing. 

15. For the Meal Prepper: OXO Good Grips Food Scale

This handy OXO Good Grips food scale is perfect for your friend who loves to portion and meal prep. The stainless steel not only resists smudges and fingerprints, but it also has this awesome zero function for easy ingredient weighing. The digital screen is easy to read, and the removable platform makes cleanup a snap. Oh, and the pull-out display is a genius move so you can still see the screen if you’re using larger plates. Plus, you can measure in ounces, pounds, grams, or kilograms with just a click.