Taste and technique (Cookbook) $24.99
Arguably the best cookbook I have ever read. Unlike other cookbooks, the author does not simplify recipes to make it easier on the reader.For me, I want to learn to make things like they do in restaurants even if it involves 3X the amount of ingredients and 3X the amount of time. This cookbook breaks down the process for complex and challenging dishes in easy to understand steps that’s why this cookbook is perfect for the more advanced at-home-chef.
Masterclass $90 or $180 for All-access
You can watch YouTube videos of people that have never worked in a commercial kitchen or suffered the years of anguish trying to get a Michelin star, or….. You could watch a Masterclass taught by some of the most prolific chefs in the world. I vote the latter, and had a great time learning techniques from people like Gordon Ramsay or Thomas Keller and I trust the results. What’s that old adage? “Give a man a fish, feed him for a day. But teach a man to fish, feed him for a lifetime.”
King WhetStone knife sharpening stone $43
For me, half the fun of cooking is learning. Learning how to hone my craft, make difficult things from scratch, or learn about another culture through the unique ingredients found in the region or the tools used. A knife is a chef’s most important tool and for many, it’s the tool most neglected. Learning to sharpen your own knife is not difficult and the results are so rewarding. A sharp knife is also a safe knife, plus it looks badass if you sharpen it yourself. For beginners, this sharpening stone (1000/6000 grit) is a great place to start.
If you would like more information about knife sharpening, check out our sharpening how-to guide.
Authentic Japanese Paring knife $60-100
Now that you bought a sharpening stone, you may as well buy a knife that’s aesthetically pleasing to look at, and fun as hell to cut with. While I would suggest that if you would buy a single knife that it be an 8-10” chefs knife and you don’t need to spend more than $100, however, for the sake of this gift guide and the logistics of sending a large knife, why not just settle for a badass paring knife. Check out Bernal Cutlery for unique knives or knife sharpening information/tools.
Normann Oil/Vinegar bottle $28 (each)
These unique oil/vinegar bottles are a huge step up from just using the glass bottles the product comes in. In addition, because these bottles completely block UV, your oils will keep much better.
Emilia balsamic vinegar $75
Now that you have a great new vinegar container, you need to fill it with something worthwhile. Balsamic is one of the most versatile ingredients and this unique small batch Nebraskan based production is a great decadence. Make a glaze for some short ribs or drizzle some over ice cream.
Aesop Soap $39
In the kitchen, we wash our hands constantly. Especially when cooking things like raw meat. For many, people just succumb to using dish soap as hand soap but the effects are terrible for your hands. While $39 seems like an outrageous amount to spend on hand soap for yourself, this Aesop soap is a great gift and it’s objectively impossible to not love this specific scent. Furthermore, this is also a gift that will constantly remind the person of you since they will inevitably be using it every day.
Yakitori Ceramic Charcoal Barbecue Grill $14.99
This small Yakitori ceramic grill is a fun way to entertain and a unique gift that’s perfect for someone living in an apartment or small dwelling. Japanese BBQ or KBBQ is a great way to spend the evening and at home you can completely customize your experience. This grill is specifically designed for Yakitori – think Japanese kebabs.
Hartwood (Cookbook) $28
The couple that wrote this cookbook own one of our favorite restaurants in the world, located along the Yucatan Peninsula in Tulum Mexico. The dishes are extremely unique and they use ingredients that are all local to the area. While some ingredients are hard to find in your local market, this book is still an amazing source of inspiration and everytime you make something out of this book, it feels like you are in the rainforest in Mexico. As an added plus the cocktails are amazing.
Hario electric food scale $69
While this might not sound like a “fun” gift, a kitchen scale is essential for taking your cooking, baking, or cocktails to the next level. I use my kitchen scale everyday for making espresso (weighing the beans) and to feed my sourdough starter. This is a perfect example of something that a home cook may want but may not want to spend money on.