gift guide: foodies + home chefs

I’M A huge believer in having the ‘right tool’ for the job. It just makes such a big difference. My sweet mom gave my husband and I some gorgeous new knives for our anniversary this year, and aside from the tiny nicks I’ve taken out of several of my finger tips, they have honestly just made my daily life that much better. The ones I had been using were a wedding gift and are now 13+ years old and no matter how many times my husband tries to sharpen them, they’re just not great to work with. The shiny new [sharp af] ones make me super happy several times a day everyday. They’re def the right tool for the job.

IF YOU love someone who loves to cook or is passionate about eating good food, hook them up with the 'right tools’ so they can feel that joy in their daily life, too. There are SO many truly gorgeous, effective and beautifully-made things out there and they make fantastic gifts. There are tons of ideas in this guide, including a whole section for Cookbooks. And check out A Few of My Favorite Kitchen Tools for more ideas. If you don’t see what you need, reach out, I’m always here for you. GIFT A LITTLE HAPPINESS. xo

Gifts for Foodies + Home Chefs

+ I have a tenuous relationship with meat. I like to eat it, but I’m kind of grossed out cooking it, especially raw chicken. So my **Thermapen ONE** is absolutely essential to my piece of mind. It’s the only meat thermometer I trust to be accurate. It’s easy to use, easy to clean and quick. My husband loves it too because I no longer look sideways at his grilling mumbling ‘are you sure that’s cooked?’ And it comes in 10 really pretty colors, making it a truly fantastic gift. **+ $105**

+ I have several friends obsessed with this Chef'n **Citrus Juicer** and I totally get why. Aside from being super pretty, it also handles all kinds of citrus like a total boss, purportedly leaving not a single drop of precious juice left in the rind. And it’s easier to squeeze than the average reamer. So whether you need just ‘the juice of one lemon’ or want a whole fresh glass, this beast can handle it and comes in pretty colors, too. **+ from $29.99**

+ Your foodie and hot pizza lover will be obsessed with **Brightland’s Pizza Oil.** It’s a hot, herbaceous blend of spices and their awesome California olive oil ready to give your pizza the smackdown. You can also put it on eggs, veggies, pasta… anything that needs a little extra extra.+ $28

+ Whether your home chef is seasoned or just starting out, they will LOVE **Caraway Cookware** [more than 35k 5-star reviews almost guarantee it]. The non-toxic ceramic coating makes it yuck free, non-stick, easy to clean and even to cook with. The Cookware Set comes with a super clever storage system to keep it all organized and it’s STUNNING in 6 ‘classic’ colors and now 4 ‘iconic’ finishes that will elevate any kitchen. They also just introduced two Mini’s for smaller jobs. Anything Caraway makes counts as a spectacular gift. **+ from $85**

+ If you love a home chef who’s adamant that everything’s better from scratch, gift them this **Verve Culture Artisan Tortilleria Kit.** The authentic 8” cast iron tortilla press is handmade in Mexico by local artisans. The kit also includes a handmade napkin to keep the tortillas warm and a booklet with some history, instructions and recipes. You can also use this press for lots of other savory treats. It’s easy to use, easy to clean and super pretty. Pair it with some Masa Harina and they’ll be ready to start churning out fresh tortillas. **+ $48**

+**Diaspora Co.** sells gorgeous single-origin spices + teas sourced directly from farmers in India and Sri Lanka. They pay 6x the commodity rate to ensure that growers of these exquisite spices make a living wage and the result is stunning. You get super fresh, high quality single-origin ingredients for your favorite dishes and the farmers get supported for their hard work. Plus it’s all sent in THE most beautiful packaging, making it just a perfect gift for chefs, teachers, neighbors or anyone else who loves a little spice in their life. **+ from $8**

+ You already know how much I love Hedley & Bennet Aprons. Now H&B has worked tirelessly to design a set of **Knives** with the same incredible quality, pro chef collaboration and attention to detail. There’s a Chef’s Knife, Utility Knife and a Bread Knife, all made with 3 layers of Japanese steel and that all come in 3 colors [it’s the Shiso Green for me]. Buy one or the whole set for a really tops gift [set to deliver in early December]. **+ from $65**

+ I’m having a terrible time trying to choose my favorite of the 6 gorgeous colors of **Material’s reBoard.** But, made entirely of kitchen plastic scraps and sugar cane, these sustainable beauties are way more than a pretty face. Plus a full 50% of proceeds from the sale of these eco-friendly boards goes to charity. That’s a serious win-win gift. There’s also a Mini for smaller jobs. **+ $35**

+ **Great Jones** makes GORGEOUS cookware and bakeware that’s both stunning to look at AND a chef’s dream to use. ‘The Duchess’ dutch oven is lauded for her good looks and even cooking. She comes in 8 sunny colors and moves effortlessly from stovetop to oven to table, looking just lovely at every stop. I LOVE our Small Fry and Sheet Show Pans for their incredible durability and continued non-stick quality, even after lots of abuse. Read more about why I love Great Jones here.+ from $40

+ I love this pretty handmade **Cookbook Holder.** It’s been carefully constructed by hand in FL with a solid straight edge to keep your book open to right page. Of course, it can hold your tablet, too. There are several colors and shapes to choose from that would make a really special gift. **+ $60**

+ I use my whole collection of these **GIR Suction Lids** ALL the time. They are so useful for keeping things warm, stopping butter from splattering all over the microwave, keeping the flys out of your salad… I love them. You can buy them one at a time or in a set of 5 or 10 and in 9 pretty colors. **+ from $7.95**

+ This **Everybody Timer** just makes me happy. Designed by super creative Dusen Dusen for Areaware, it’s just a really funky, fun and totally analog kitchen timer so you don’t burn stuff. **+ $48**

+ **Hedley & Bennett** is The industry gold standard for high quality aprons, awesome for pitmasters, home chefs, artists, tinkerers and general mess-makers. They have a variety of styles and fabrics depending on what it’ll be used for, including a heavy duty waxed canvas that just gets a solid wipe down when it’s dirty. I absolutely love mine. **+ from $75**

+ Give your chefs a stunning canvas for their art with a handmade **Dinner Set** by Boulder-based artist, Bridget Dorr. I absolutely love the organic shape of the 10” dinner plate, 8” salad plate and 5” side plate. She has several color glazes to choose from. Such a gorgeous and special gift. **+ $105/set**

+ **Brightland’s** gorgeous California-grown oils, vinegars and honeys are a beautiful gift for anyone who loves to cook or eat. And now they’ve added the Mini Artist Series to their their collection of perfectly curated Capsules. It features 4 of their most popular infusions in miniature so you can find your favorite. Of course, it’s stunningly packaged for gifting, too. Learn more about why I LOVE Brightland here. **+ from $22**

+ Named after the awesome hole-in-the-wall spots in Chengdu [so good they attract people like flies], **Fly By Jing** took the culinary world by storm with their unique Sichuan Chili Crisp. Your spice-lover’s taste buds won’t know what hit them. **+ from $12**

+ I love my **Ekobo Recycled Bamboo Colander & Pour Bowl Set.** The Colander works just as you’d expect, with nice little handles on each side. The Pour Bowl can be used for mixing and has an awesome spout for pouring batter or sauces. But you can also use it to catch the water from the Colander and then use the water for cooking or watering your plants. Brilliant. It comes in 2 sizes and 5 colors and cleans super easily. **+ from $35**

+ Oh I love every little thing that Dansk ever made and these **Kobenstyle Saucepans** exemplify why. They’re just so classic and beautiful and the colors are perfection. And the lid doubles as a trivet for easy transfer to the table. I use this 1QT size to make hot chocolate and single soup servings. They have a size for every job and they’re all stunning. **+ from $55**

+ Every chef needs a good kitchen towel and **Geometry Tea Towels** are my favorite. They’re so pretty, super duper soft, quick-drying [ie. not stinky], actually absorbent AND they’re made entirely from recycled post-consumer materials. I now look at my ‘old’ towels sideways and am considering retiring them all to our bike wash station. Because of the enormous selection of prints, they are a seriously gorgeous gift for just about anyone on your list. **+ $16 [Use code DarcieC15 for 15% off]**

+ Is it weird to love a compost bin? Because I do. I’ve had my **Bamboozle Bamboo Composter** sitting on my counter for like 8 years and I still love it. It’s pretty, doesn’t smell, holds enough so that I don’t have to go dump it out constantly. It’s dishwasher safe, has a filtered lid and comes in TWELVE really pretty colors to match any decor. If you’re going to display your compost, it better be pretty. **+ $40**

+ **Truff** gourmet hot sauce blends ripe red chili peppers infused with black truffle oil with a few other high-quality, natural ingredients for a super unique flavor. Douse it on eggs, burgers or avocado toast for a next-level flavor experience. All of their sauces are GF and vegan and have no preservatives. Choose the Original, Hotter or White [white truffle infused and my boys’ fave] OR gift all three with this baller Variety Pack. They also make Mayo, Pasta Sauces and Truffle Oil with the same attention to next level flavor. **+ from $17.99**

+ Get the most out of your precious spices by grinding them fresh. This battery-powered **FinaMill Spice Grinder** has a super solid ceramic grinding mechanism, a wide opening for refills and uses a pod system to keep spices from mixing together. Plus it comes in 6 really beautiful colors so you won’t mind having it out. Love it. **+ $44.99**

+ If you love an adventuring foodie or chef, **Hydro Flask’s Outdoor Kitchen Collection** is awesome. There are crazy durable plates and flatware AND insulated bowls that keep food hot or cold while you’re out in the wild or at a BBQ next door. I have a set of the bowls and I LOVE them for taking food to picnics. **+ from $19.95**

+ Season like a serious pro with Spiceology’s massive selection of unique and delicious chef-created and approved Spices, Spice Blends + Rubs. They have a huge selection of individual jars [a few you’d expect and a BUNCH you wouldn’t] or **Variety Packs** that would make just awesome gifts for the novice or pro pit masters, bakers and chefs you love. **+ from** **$6.99**

+ With sous vide cooking, everything is perfectly tender, moist and at the right temp every time. An **Anova Precision Cooker** is the only tool you need to make batch or individual sous vide meat, veg, soups and more at home. It has both manual and wifi-enabled controls so you can walk away while cooking. Pair it with an Anova Precision Vacuum Sealer for a real-deal setup. **+ from $149**

+ Take homemade pizza night to a whole other level with an **Ooni Outdoor Pizza Oven.** The Fyra pictured here is wood-pellet powered and lightweight enough to drag to the campsite, the beach, your neighbor’s yard, the park or anywhere else you’d like to chill and make amazing pizza. There are several different models to choose from depending on size and how you want to cook [gas or wood pellets]. And of course, they have Pizza Peels and other rad Accessories to go with it. What a baller gift. **+ from $350**

+ Sometimes the simplest things make the biggest difference and that is def the case with **Material's Good Shears.** They’re constructed of German steel with a removable silicone handle for easy cleaning. And you can chuck the whole lot in the dishwasher. Plus they’re so dang pretty. **+ $35**

+ I love this **Emile Henry Storage Bowl.** It’s gorgeous, yes, but also totally brilliant. The bottom acts as a dark cellar for onions, potatoes and garlic, while the top holds all of your fruit. The cork lid absorbs moisture and keeps the flies away. It comes in 2 sizes and 7 colors. I’m so impressed with how long it keeps stuff fresh. **+ from $100**

+ Have a chef who has everything? I’m willing to bet they don’t have a **Hong Kong Egg Waffle Pan.** These treats are a favorite street snack and also called bubble waffles or puffles. You can make your very own at home with this unique pan. My kids would LOVE everything about those waffles. **+ $75**

+ Is it nerdy to love a set of bowls? Like really LOVE it? Well, fear of nerding out never stopped me before. This **Duralex Lys 9-Piece Glass Bowl Set** is one of my favorite and most-used items in the kitchen. Everyday. They nest perfectly for easy storage, go in the dishwasher and are otherwise seriously perfect. **+ $38.99**

+ Send your foodie the gift of their absolute favorite food. **Goldbelly** partners with a HUGE variety of small bakeries and restaurants around the country to ship nostalgic [or new] favorites to your door. They’ll send pretty much anything your heart desires from samosas to lasagna to kolaches [or these H&H Bagels]. **+ from $25**

+ Give your chef the gift of a bit more time with an **Anyday Dish.** You can make a legit gourmet meal in one bowl ENTIRELY in the microwave in like 9 minutes. For real. Even David Chang says so. Learn more about why I love this thing here. **+ from $30**

+ Instantly add massive flavor to your dishes with Boulder-based **Fireworks Chef’s Butters.** These little ‘bursts’ of magic come in both savory and sweet flavors and are all made with hormone-free grass-fed butter. YUM. **+ from $6**

+ This is so cool. **HitchFire** is a hitch-mountable, super powerful propane grill that can go anywhere your vehicle can; camping, tailgating, skiing, the park... This beefy F-20 model has two burners for feeding the whole crew and the handy swingarm feature provides easy access to the car’s contents. My husband would LOVE this thing. **+ from $549**

+ Runamok is best known for their fabulous infused Maple Syrups (hello magical Sparkle Syrup). Now they’ve taken the same passion for creating amazing flavors and applied it to a collection of delicious **Honey,** including 3 uniquely flavored Hot Honey infusions. Pick one or a set of ALL of the delicious flavors. + **$9.95**

+ ‘Tis the season for Sur La Table to bring out their fantastic collection of food-related **Ornaments.** Everything from a Ramen Bowl to a Sectioned Pig to Camembert is represented and would make a fun and lasting gift for your food lover. **+ from $15**

Cookbooks

I LOVE thumbing through a good cookbook. They’re just beautiful to look at and so inspiring. And they make gorgeous gifts. Pick an old favorite or try something outside your comfort zone. They make a fantastic gift all on their own, or pair one with a special spice blend, pretty dish towel or useful kitchen gadget for a really thoughtful gift.