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38 Best Gift Ideas for People Who Love to Cook (or Eat)

Photo-Illustration: by The Cut; Photos: Retailers

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What’s the best gift idea for the foodie in your life? They’re always smelling things, and their condiment collection takes up multiple shelves. You can’t give them something expected, like another Boos block or the Our Place Always Pan. Plus, it’s safe to assume they already own every knife they’ll ever use in a lifetime.

What’s left to gift, then? Whether it’s for the eater or the doer, the recipe follower or the one who lets their ancestors guide their seasoning ways, below we’ve rounded up a handy list to refer to.

Best Gift Ideas for Foodies

For the Spicy-Food Connoisseur

This collection of sauces and spices will keep them busy for months. Try the Zhong sauce with dumplings and sprinkle the Mala spice over meat as a marinade (it also makes for a delicious popcorn topping). And the chili crisp is literally good on anything.

For the Foodie Finally Delving Into Sourdough

Sure they’re a little late to the bread-baking party but they’re here now, right? This bread-making kit is the gift that keeps on giving meaning, you’ll all probably be enjoying homemade bread for the foreseeable future.

If They Love to Make a Charcuterie Board

Everyone likes cheese. Second maybe only to chocolate, this is your safest bet.

For the Undefeated Cookie-Swap Champion

Not all vanilla extract is the same: Heilala’s is beloved by chefs, fancy pastry people, and regular folks who just make a lot of cookies. Its goopy vanilla paste will leave these lovely black vanilla-bean specks in whatever you bake, plus it gets bonus points for being ethically sourced.

For the Foodie Who Grills

Rodney Scott’s World of BBQ
From $20
From $20

If they’ve been grilling the same burgers, chicken skewers, and blackened catfish for decades now, help them change things up with this new cookbook from Rodney Scott, one of the country’s most respected names in barbecue.

If Their Favorite Part of Traveling Is Exploring New Cuisines

‘Portugal, the Cookbook’
$39
$39

Whether you’ve been to Portugal or not, its history of food is easily explored with over 500 recipes and history by the acclaimed chef Leandro Carreira. Plus you can visit him in person at his latest restaurant in New York if you love what you read.

For the Foodie Who’s Still Very Much Into Kale

Crisper drawers only get you so far. Store delicate greens and any other vegetables likely to wilt in the fridge in these Vejibags — thick, organic cotton sacks that you dampen before storing. It extends the life of vegetables by days, or, in the case of cabbage, weeks.

For Anyone That Got Into Cooking During Lockdown

Nothing says cooking expert like a fancy olive oil. This trio will have them look and cook like a restaurant owner.

For the Sober-Curious Person

Whether you’re sober or sober-curious, why not try out one of the most well-known spirit-free aperitifs? With this starter pack, you can try all the beverages the brand has to offer.

For the Foodie Who Appreciates Little Luxuries

Grab a few of these jars and fill them with spices like vibrant Aleppo pepper, fancy saffron, or truffle sea salt. They make for lovely small gifts that feel special.

For the Foodie Who Weighs Their Coffee Beans

If you’re feeling particularly generous, get them this gorgeous, well-designed electric pour-over coffee machine by Ratio. It’s the sexiest coffee machine on the market, hands down — there’s a reason it’s sold out on Goop. Don’t worry, you review watchdog — it’s highly rated, too.

If They Already Own the Great Jones Dutchess

Smithey’s grill pan makes perfectly char-marked burgers and green beans — and isn’t that all you want from it? But it also looks good when left out on the stove afterward.

For the Foodie Who Always Hosts

To really take their hosting skills to the next level, gift some practical (and cute) wooden serving spoons for any salad or dish.

For the Gluten-Free Foodie

If they have a sense of humor, they will enjoy this charming Japanese bread lamp.

For the Messy Chef

Because splatters, drips, and splashes are inevitable.

For the Foodie With a Ton of Personal Style

Founded by two sisters, Misette (pronounced my set) is known for its carefully crafted and beautifully designed tableware. These bowls are a must-have for the people who love the stylish side of food … even if it is just for eating cereal.

For the Foodie With a Serious Sweet Tooth

What is someone with a sweet tooth going to like more than a variety pack of chocolate? Honey Mama’s exciting flavors of chocolate, like tahini tangerine and lavender rose, make for a great (and delicious) gift.

For the Foodie Who Swears You Can Only Get Decent Pizza in New York

Nothing says “I love you” like the best Neapolitan pie in the five boroughs.

For the Foodie With Too Many Knives

Do they have a handmade waxed canvas roll to carry them in? Even if they’re just taking them to get sharpened at the hardware store, this Georgia-made roll will show them off and make them feel like their idol Bobby Flay.

For the Foodie Who Loves Eating Out of a Tin

This new-ish tinned-fish company started by Becca Millstein and Caroline Goldfarb is fun, playful, stylish, and tasty and does limited-edition drops. A tuna sandwich never felt so exciting.

For the Citrus Lover

Easily mistaken for a real lemon, this candle is the perfect addition to any kitchen. Just don’t place it too close to real lemons.

For the Baker-in-Training

Everyone needs a good oven mitt for protection, so why not get some that are extremely good at what they do and also double as cute kitchen décor?

For the Foodie With a Favorite Olive Oil (or Two)

Fancy oils deserve even fancier bottles, and these are great to house their favorite oils and homemade dressings.

For the Wine Obsessed

The Waves is a subscription-based wine service that features all-natural wines. If you think a subscription might be too much of a commitment, gift this Wild Bunch trio, featuring a pét-nat, an orange wine, and a chillable red for the bold wine drinker in your life.

Another Option for the Wine Enthusiast

If you know, they already have a wine subscription, gift them some wine cups. Our shopping writer, Shanna Shipin, and senior shopping editor, Bianca Nieves, both recommend the ones from Danny D’s Mud Shop. Handmade in his studio in California, these little cups are shaped similarly to traditional ISO wineglasses and will add a Western flair to their bar cart.

For the Coffee Lover Who Has All the Gear

The gift of nice coffee is classic, but how about the gift of five pounds of coffee all at once? An airplane-pillow-size five-pounder of Stumptown’s crowd-pleasing Hair Bender costs $80, lasts about a month in a two-person coffee-loving household, and is most likely fresher than what you find at grocery stores.

For Anyone Who Loves Cake

From $28

Whether they prefer to bake it or just display it, this cake stand will elevate any baker’s craft and make for the perfect addition to their kitchen.

For the Easily Impressed

Secura Electric Wine Opener
$25
$25

Because what’s more impressive than an electric wine opener?

For the Foodie Updating Their Bar Cart

Whether they are into mocktails or cocktails, this glass set will make their bar cart stand out and their beverages look great even if they taste questionable.

For the Crunch Obsessed

Photo: Andrew Bezek

Everyone is obsessed with this chili crunch, so the foodie in your life has to be too. Especially if they like spice and crunch.

For the Vegetarian in Your Life

Making tofu doesn’t have to be time-consuming and messy. With three adjustable settings that allow you to press different sizes of tofu, your favorite veggie lover will enjoy this tofu press.

For the Wannabe Interior Designer

Whether they love to host dinner parties or are working on their tablescaping, these scalloped napkins will be easily used.

For the Popcorn Fanatic

For $60 total, get four months of custom-designed boxes that will be filled with three exclusive popcorn pod flavors. All pods are gluten-free and made with non-GMO heirloom kernels grown on a family farm in Iowa.

For the Person Who Can’t Make It to New York This Year

Every New York trip should include a stop at Levain, but luckily you don’t have to book a flight to the Big Apple to taste its baked goods. The bakery ships nationwide. So give that cookie lover a pack of some of the best baked goods in the city.

If Their Dessert of Choice Is Ice Cream

McConnell’s Pint of the Month membership is the gift that keeps on giving for basically everyone (except possibly your lactose-intolerant friends, although it does have dairy-free options). A perfect gift, according to deputy style editor Joanna Nikas.

To Add a Little Spice

Fashion news writer Danya Issawi recommends anything from this Brooklyn-based Lebanese market. Stock up on traditional spices and jams, and enjoy its cute décor and packaging.

For the Tea Drinker

Whether they prefer to add it to their tea or eat it by the spoonful, this California honey is full of antioxidants and brings a sweet floral finish.

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38 Gifts for People Who Love to Cook (or Eat)