Top 10 Best Gifts for Chefs According to Actual Chefs

People often say that the value of a gift is not in its price but in the thought behind it. How you feel makes all the difference. One of the best ways to give a person a thoughtful gift is to offer them something that aligns with their interests. If you have a family member or friend who is a chef, buying useful chef essentials for them is the best way to show your affection with the best gifts. Since you are not a professional chef, this article will show you the top 10 gift ideas to make chefs happy.

10 Best Gifts for Chefs

1. Chef Apron

This may seem like a small gift, but it is a perfect gift every chef will appreciate. A high-quality chef apron protects a chef’s uniform and clothes from kitchen spills and pasta splatter. Don't just buy a basic apron. Go for something durable with several pockets and a pair of adjustable straps. The best aprons are made of leather, cotton, canvas, denim, and polyester. You can take things further by engraving their name or initials on the apron. Many chefs and cooks do this in the hospitality industry.

2. Chef Jacket

If the chef just finished culinary school and is about to dive into the job market, a chef jacket is a thoughtful and warm gift for them. It is an essential part of the professional chef's attire that makes it easy for everyone to identify them, even when walking around the restaurant.

Most companies provide chef jackets as uniforms for their staff, but if this isn't the case, buying one for your beloved chef is a great idea. Make sure you go for a jacket made of breathable materials. It must be comfortable and easy to clean since they will use it in the kitchen. 

3. Denim Jacket

If you want a gift they can use inside and outside the kitchen, consider buying a denim jacket. These stylish jackets are classy, durable, ideal for different seasons, and never go out of fashion. A chef denim jacket maintain the traditional chef jacket design but are made with denim material. You can buy their favorite color of this jacket for your friend this Christmas, or you can stick to blue or black. 

4. Chef Cap

Chefs love caps because they play crucial roles in their attire. One, chef cap make the chef look professional and easily identifiable. Secondly, the cap keeps their hair in place, ensuring that hair strands don't slip into food in the kitchen. It also ensures hair doesn't keep getting in their face while they are in the kitchen. 

There are different types of chef caps in the market, including typical toques, skull caps, cook's bandanas, chef berets, chef beanies, and headbands. They all make great gifts. Look for the most suitable one based on your friend's personality.

5. Chef Pants

All the gifts above are for a chef's upper body, but the chef's pants are for the lower body. Since chefs spend several hours daily on their feet, comfortable, breathable pants make excellent gifts. Ideally, you want a high-grade stain-resistant material that is easy to clean.

The waistline of the pants shouldn't be tight, so you may want to consider pants with elastic waistlines instead of buttons and zips. When choosing chef pants, go for darker shades like brown and black since the upper part of a chef's uniform is usually full of bright colors.

6. Cookbook

A cookbook should always be attached to any great gift set you offer a beloved chef. Whether you are giving them aprons, jackets, caps, or pants, adding a legendary cookbook from a professional chef they adore is a nice touch. Don't just go for random books with simple recipes. 

Think of books they may find interesting and valuable. For example, if your chef friend has been talking about trying Italian recipes for a while, buy a good Italian cookbook from renowned chefs. A good example is Rizzoli La Cucina: The Regional Cooking of Italy.

7. Quality Knife Set

Of course, you can't talk about chef gifts without mentioning a chef's knife. Culinary professionals have eyes for perfect blades, so getting them a set of high-grade knives is a good idea. You can buy Japanese knives or European knives made of stainless steel. 

Keep in mind that chefs use different knives for different purposes. So, it may be a good idea to get the most essential options like utility knives, serrated knives, paring knives, or an oyster knife. Pick a durable chef’s knife that can withstand rigorous cooking and last years. You should also add a knife roll and knife sharpener to the Japanese knives.

8. Kitchen Gadgets

When picking a kitchen gadget as a gift for a chef, your options are almost limitless. However, you can narrow the kitchen equipment down by considering the cooking your chef friend handles regularly. For example, a chef specializing in baking would love a bench scraper, while one who handles lots of vegetables and cuisines would like mandolin slicers or nonstick pans. 

Every chef would value a high-quality blender, food dehydrator, or food processor. You can look at the kitchen tools they already have and think of a new one or a necessary upgrade.

9. Cooking Classes

This gift is for inexperienced people who love cooking but are yet to get the experience and develop the skills they need. It can also be a good gift for professional chefs who want to master a certain cooking technique. 

You can enroll them in an in-person cooking class where they can learn the skills they need. Some culinary schools allow people to register for a few courses of interest instead of the entire curriculum. Your beloved chef will get a chance to watch professionals use these skills.

10. Gift Cards

Picking the best gifts isn't always easy, no matter how hard you try. Too many options are available, and you may be confused about what to get. In this case, offer your chef friend a gift card. It can either be a gift card from a kitchen supplier, or it can be a regular gift card from shopping for essential tools in in-person or virtual stores. Offering a gift card gives your favorite chef the freedom to pick an essential tool, not just what you think they need. It is one of the best gifts for chefs.

Conclusion

When choosing the perfect gift for a chef, nothing beats considering their preferences. It means you will have to be attentive to know what they like and what they need. Make sure you purchase a great gift from a reliable supplier who sells the best quality products for professional chefs.