Chefs are, in a sense, a funny group of people to buy gifts for. Some have all the essentials they Stylish leather gifts for Father’s Day could possibly need already stocked at home, while others — if they really spend most of their time on the line — prefer to keep dinner to popcorn and a beer from the fridge. Also, the definition of what makes a professional has changed: It’s no longer just white-coat-wearing pros, but cookbook authors, recipe developers, and content creators who spend most of their time in the kitchen. No matter who you’re shopping for (and how much gear they already have), the following 52 gifts are special, unexpected, and truly useful items I’ve curated from years of talking to professionals about their own favorite items, as well as constantly cooking and vetting products myself.
I’ve sorted each of these ideas by price, so whether you’re only looking to spend $18 on a tin of stainless-steel book darts they can use to mark recipes in cookbooks, $40 on a (sexy, we daresay) Alessi citrus peeler, or go all out with a splurgy cheese delivery that will save them on nights they’re too tired to cook, I’ve got you covered. If you know your range, you can skip ahead to the corresponding section or browse everything from top to bottom.
Kuhn Rikon Original Swiss Peeler
The Kuhn Rikon is truly a chef-standard kitchen tool, made with a super-sharp and long-lasting blade. One former prep cook even told us the tool was comfortable to hold while peeling multiple 50-pound boxes of potatoes in a sitting. If that’s not enough to convince you this utilitarian tool is special enough to give as a gift, know that it’s also the one used on the line at the French Laundry.
New York Shuk Preserved Lemon Paste
Preserved lemons are the kind of secret-weapon ingredient chefs know will liven up any dish — but in paste form, it’s even readier for experimentation (chef and writer Lauren Joseph, who introduced us to the condiment, even stirs some into drinks). Not to mention it comes in a very pretty jar for bonus giftability.
Zab’s Hot Sauce
Some chefs are known for never cooking at home — but even if that’s the case, they still need hot sauce to drizzle on takeout. There’s no better duo for that job than Zab’s, a brand loved by Strategist staffers and pro cooks alike (the St. Augustine has a slightly sweeter edge than the Original, but both are vinegar-based without overpowering the heat of the chiles).
Mama Teav’s Hot Garlic
If they’re partial to chili crisp, consider this spicy, crispy condiment (it has less tingly spice than Fly by Jing and no fermented beans like Lao Gan Ma). I first spotted it in Carla Lalli Music’s kitchen earlier this year and recently had two other pro cooks tell me they can’t stop spooning it on top of nearly everything they eat because the crunch-to-oil ratio is so addictive.
Book Darts Line Markers
A friend gave this to me as part of a care package a couple of years ago, and I found it to be the most unexpectedly delightful present — I now use them exclusively to mark recipes I’m interested in making in cookbooks. I used to do this with Post-its, which stuck out of the pages and made my dedicated shelf look like a mess, but the slim metal profile of these disappears.
Heilala Pure Vanilla Paste
If they’re not already in the know, this vanilla paste — which so many pro bakers and I both love — is made from a blend of actual pods and extract, so it’s seriously deep and rich but still easy to measure out. The company follows sustainable growing and fair labor practices, too.
Kotobuki Japanese Thread Scissors
They likely already have a pair of Joyce Chen scissors, which are fantastic. But for something more unique, chef and culinary consultant Christine Lau likes these thread scissors for snipping herbs. She says they stay super-sharp and help you work quickly and accurately thanks to the pointed tip that can get right at the base of tiny leaves.
Opinel No. 9 Oyster and Shellfish Knife
Opinel’s knives make great gifts because they don’t fall into the standard categories (chef’s, paring, bread) that a pro is likely to already own multiples of. If they’re into seafood, I think this one would make such a special present with its beautifully carved wooden handle and folding blade.
Leuchtturm1917 Hardcover Notebook
If they develop recipes, a notebook will come in handy (and they can never have too many on hand). This one has a water-resistant cover so they don’t have to worry about keeping it by their side in the kitchen.
Gestura Stainless Steel Spoon
A real pro has likely heard of Kunz (the most common spoon chefs carry for tasting, basting, drizzling, and transferring food) — but Gestura’s take on the utensil is a relatively new, gorgeously designed version that has become one of my most prized kitchen utensils. It’s a bit smaller (one tablespoon instead of two and a half) for easy measuring, has a pointed tip for more precise pouring and drizzling, and a lip that helps skim.
Finamill Spice Grinder
A professional already knows that grinding whole spices fresh is the best way to make food taste next-level, and this supremely well-made electric grinder is the best on the market. It comes recommended by Burlap & Barrel founder Ethan Friske, who has pulverized so many spices in his day (because, you know, work) and says this one is standout for its swappable pods, sharp blades, one-button system, and adjustable grind size.
Big Night Olive Cocktail Picks
If they like to unwind with a martini, they should have dedicated cocktail picks. These olive-adorned ones from Big Night manage to be cheeky yet sophisticated.
East Fork Bitty Bowl 4-Pack
Having small bowls around is always useful (for mise en place, for snacks, for storing spices on the counter). This set from East Fork comes in quite a few pretty shades.
PortoCibo Mortellito
One of my own go-to gifts is olive oil because any cook — whether amateur or professional — will recognize the value of an actually delicious bottle they might not splurge on themselves. This one, which a wine-store owner describes as briny and complex, is made by producers in the southeast part of coastal Sicily who bring the same care to their olives as they do to their grapes.
Diaspora Co. Build Your Own Spice Shelf
Not only does Diaspora Co. make some of the most ethically sourced, straight-up delicious spices on the market, but this package of a build-your-own pack makes a particularly personal gift. You can customize a box of three, six, nine, or 12 tins depending on what your recipient tends to cook with (though I will say, I love the Aranya Black Pepper, the most pungent and fruity-tasting variety I’ve ever tried).
Alessi Apostrophe Orange Peeler
A $40 orange peeler from Italian brand Alessi is the kind of gadget they likely wouldn’t buy for themselves — but that’s what makes it a perfect gift. The heavyweight metal object has a hook at the end that digs into the skin and pith so no gunk ends up underneath your fingernails, offering “a small revelation every time I use it,” cookbook author Fanny Singer says.
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