Gift giving is hard work: You not only want to find something that the recipient might not think to get themselves, but something they\u2019ll genuinely appreciate and use. If you know someone who has really taken to cooking over the last year, I’ve got ideas for creative gifts that will let them know you’ve noticed their new hobby and want to support it.\u00a0<\/p>\n
An apron can be a deeply personal possession for someone who likes cooking, and as a gift, they\u2019re perfect because they run the gamut on pricing. If you don’t have a ton of money to spend, you can still get a great apron that will last them a long time; and if you’re feeling spend-y, you can find some spiffy high-end ones, too. Keep in mind that not every apron is made for every body type. While bib aprons are popular for men, crossback aprons are good for larger people and smock aprons can be better for women. Additionally, while funny aprons are popular gifts, they\u2019re often not made very well and thus, aren\u2019t all that usable. When it comes to aprons, washability and durability are paramount\u2014but that doesn’t mean you have to get them something boring.<\/p>\n
Williams Sonoma Personalized Adult & Kid Classic Apron <\/u><\/a>$ 24.95 \u2013 $ 29.95<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Williams Sonoma Crossback Chambray Apron<\/u><\/a> $ 34.95<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Carhartt Men\u2019s Duck Canvas Apron<\/u><\/a> $39.99<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Hedley and Bennet Crossback Apron<\/u><\/a>\u00a0 $95<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Bella Pinafore (smock) Apron <\/u><\/a>$97<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n For years, I worked at Williams Sonoma in gift registry, and people would constantly say they didn\u2019t think knives were \u201cgiftable.\u201d I disagreed then and I disagree now. One of the best gifts I ever got was a Japanese serrated bread knife. Good knives are expensive and something cooks are often slow to buy for themselves, but they’re one of the best kitchen investments a person can make. Consider a single, amazing knife or a whole set, depending on what you’re looking to spend. Remember, gifts aren\u2019t about what you<\/em> think, they\u2019re about what the recipient thinks.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n W\u00dcSTHOF Classic IKON 8″ Chef’s Knife<\/u><\/a> $200<\/p>\n<\/li>\n MAC Knife Professional series 8″ Chef’s knife w\/dimples <\/u><\/a>$144.95<\/p>\n<\/li>\n W\u00dcSTHOF Gourmet 10-Piece Knife Block Set<\/u><\/a> $223.20<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Shun Classic 8\u201d Chef\u2019s Knife<\/u><\/a> $99.95<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n A fantastic set of mixing bowls is useful for a hundred different tasks beyond mixing. They can be used for storage, serving, and\u2014if they’re particularly nice\u2014a bit of eye candy for the countertop. And silicone utensils like spatulas and “spoonulas” have become a must-have item that are typically built well enough to last the test of time. (Mine are over 20 years old.) The silicone clings to the side of bowls, allowing you to scrape out every last bit. They are also heat-proof, save your non-stick pans from damage, and can sail through a dishwasher. A great set of these utensils and some bowls is a stellar gift that will last ages.<\/p>\n All-Clad 5-Piece Silicone Spatulas<\/u><\/a>\u00a0 $ 59.95<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Open Kitchen by Williams Sonoma Silicone Wood Spatulas, Set of 5<\/u><\/a> $ 29.95<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Silicone Spatula Set, 5 Piece<\/u><\/a>, $6.99<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Lareina Ceramic Mixing Bowls for Kitchen<\/u><\/a> $39.99<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Tabletops Gallery Hobnail Style 4 Piece Blue Storm Stoneware Nesting Mixing Bowl <\/u><\/a>$42.49<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Yes, people survived before Cuisinart and KitchenAid machines, but these handy countertop appliances open up a world of culinary possibilities. KitchenAid mixers, for example, have tons of attachments to make pasta, process tomatoes, spiralize fruit, and more. And a food processor speeds up menial chopping tasks, often doing so much more skillfully than someone can do by hand. (I use mine to grind hard bread into gourmet breadcrumbs.) Whether going with a smaller sized herb processor or indulging in a colorful mixer, these appliances take places of pride on a cook\u2019s counter.\u00a0<\/p>\n Cuisinart Food Processor 14-Cup<\/u><\/a> $198<\/p>\n<\/li>\n KitchenAid \u00a03.5 Cup Food Chopper, Ice Blue<\/u><\/a> $44.95<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Ninja NF701 Professional XL Food Processor 12-Cup <\/u><\/a>$133.94<\/p>\n<\/li>\n KitchenAid Artisan Series 5 Quart Tilt Head Stand Mixer, White<\/u><\/a> $349.95<\/p>\n<\/li>\n KitchenAid Classic Series 4.5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer White<\/u><\/a> $239.99<\/p>\n<\/li>\n GE Tilt-Head Electric Stand Mixer, 5.3<\/u><\/a> Quart $149.00<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n If your friend or loved one has expressed an interest in a particular style of cooking, find a local class or series of classes in that style they might enjoy. Check your local community college and nearby retailers like Sur La Table and Williams Sonoma for availability. You can also consider something like Masterclass, an online option. As a nice touch, wrap a related cookbook for under the tree.\u00a0<\/p>\n MasterClass<\/u><\/a> Starts at $120\/year<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Sur la Table Cooking Classes<\/u><\/a> Prices vary per location<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Williams Sonoma Cooking Classes<\/u><\/a> Prices vary per location<\/p>\n<\/li>\n America\u2019s Test Kitchen Online Cooking School<\/u><\/a> $179\/yr<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Lastly, don’t overlook the value of gift cards, which may feel impersonal, but aren’t. They tell your recipient, explicitly, that they know best what they’d like. For a burgeoning chef, a shopping spree at their local kitchen supply store might be exactly what they wanted.<\/p>\n
Gift giving is hard work: You not only want to find something that the recipient might not think to get themselves, but something they\u2019ll genuinely appreciate and use. If you know someone who has really taken to cooking over the … Continue reading Don\u2019t be intimidated to gift knives<\/h2>\n
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Silicone utensils and a set of mixing bowls<\/h2>\n
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Their first food processor or mixer<\/h2>\n
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Cooking classes<\/h2>\n
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\nSource: LifeHacker – 25 Delicious Gift Ideas for New Cooks<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"