Gifts for Cooks (And non-Cooks!)

Thanksgiving is over, which means that it's officially gift-giving season! Since the way to my heart is through my stomach, I’ve compiled a list of my top holiday gifts to give to cooks and non-cooks alike. Happy gifting!

Gifts for Cooks:

• A nice wooden cutting board. I love John Boos brand.
• Y-Peelers, specifically Kuhn Rikon brand. Every professional knows this is the best peeler, and since they do wear out from time to time, it’s great to receive new ones!
• An immersion blender. I find this tool indispensable for making healthy soups and sauces. While many folks won’t like to spend the extra money on themselves for a tool that can technically be replaced by your blender, it truly is a life-saver when you need one. Less mess and clean-up than a blender - can’t beat that!
• Quality cooking utensils. High-quality silicone utensils (spatulas, spoons) make life so much easier and won’t leach chemicals into your food or destroy your pans. The same is true for wooden utensils. The good ones can cost a little extra, which is why they make an excellent gift.
• Mesh strainers. Just like peelers, these simply wear out over time, and it’s great to have a few back-ups. I love having an assortment of sizes available for various tasks.
• Enameled cast iron cookware. Beautiful and functional! Le Creuset is the top of the line brand, but Martha Stewart makes some beautiful cookware and bakeware, also. These pieces come in various shapes/sizes/colors, and for someone who loves cooking and entertaining, they make a beautiful gift. (I feel like I could never have enough!)
• A digital meat thermometer. There are simple thermometers for $10 or less that do the job, but I love the accuracy and ease of my digital probe thermometer. Many home cooks won’t splurge on this for themselves, which is why it makes a great gift!
• For the bread baker in your life: A digital scale, bread proofer, quality baguette pans, or proofing baskets would make the perfect gift!
• For the person who has every gadget: KitchenAid stand mixer attachments offer a variety of fun new ways to play with food - my favorite is the pasta roller attachment! (Just make sure the person you’re giving it to has a KitchenAid stand mixer!!)

For the Non-Cook:

• Wildflower Chef Gift Certificate - treat them to home-cooked meals, prepared to their tastes and specifications. Buy here. (We serve Chester County, including Malvern, West Chester, Downingtown, and more!)
• A gift certificate to their favorite restaurant or a place they’ve been meaning to try.
• A homespun gift certificate from you! If you’re an excellent cook yourself, offer to make a few nights’ worth of meals for someone. They will seriously appreciate your generosity.
• Foodie subscriptions. Some of the more interesting ones I’ve heard of include Cocoa Runners, Carnivore Club, and Farm to People.
• For the non-cook who would like to learn to cook: Wildflower Chef Gift Certificate for one-on-one or group cooking lessons. Email Chef Emily for pricing and to purchase. (emily@thewildflowerchef.com)

For Kids:

• A colorful cookbook (meant for children, or not) - along with the promise that you’ll help them prepare whatever they like from the book.
• A culinary field trip. How about an educational and yummy trip to a local produce farm, dairy, or factory?
• “My size” cookware. Why are things so much more fun when they’re small? I don’t know, but you can purchase small mixing bowls, spatulas, pans, and everything else so that your mini-me can cook alongside you with ease.
• Cookie cutters in fun shapes and sizes. Use them to cut out cookie dough - but also vegetables, bread, etc. 
• Wildflower Chef Gift Certificate for a children’s cooking class, perfect for siblings! Contact Chef Emily to order.

What was the best cooking or food-related gift you ever received? Let me know in the comments!