Gift Guide: Kitchen Gift Ideas for Bakers, Cooks, & Foodies

Finding the perfect gift is always a challenge, whether it’s because it feels like your loved ones already *have* everything, you need to get a gift for someone you don’t know as well, or a friend is just tricky to buy for.

But if you have someone in your life who loves to be in the kitchen, I’ve got a list of unique and beautiful gifts for people who love to cook (or bake, or…eat).

While I am an extremely practical person in general, I see the role of a gift as being about getting them something they might not get themselves. That’s either because they didn’t think about it and it’s the perfect fit for their life, OR because it seemed like a “nice to have” or splurge. That’s where thoughtful gifts come in!

I also have placed a strong focus the past couple years on finding healthier alternatives to various kitchen implements, usually having to do with the materials being used. There are so many toxic chemicals being used in our environment, and the kitchen is one of my highest priorities for going more natural. So you’ll see that reflected in some of my gifts and commentary.

You can also check out my gift guide for coffee lovers as well as my gift guide for cocktail enthusiasts/home bartenders…two topics I’m extremely passionate about 🙂

Before we jump in, this post contains affiliate links (including Amazon affiliate). I may earn a small commission from any qualifying purchases through clicks on these links, which help keep this site running and at no extra cost to you. All opinions are, as always, completely my own.

Gifts for people who cook, bake, or love to eat

From awesome practical (yet beautiful) things that will level up their kitchen game, to a touch of luxury, to small special items that they wouldn’t get themselves, this list of kitchen gift ideas has got something for everyone.

Beautiful baking sheets & dishes

I’ve been in love with these baking sheets and other dishes from Great Jones for years, and they make an amazing gift! The colors are so fun, they just make me happy every time I pull them out of the oven.

I also really love this beautiful set of heavier ceramic baking dishes…the glazed pattern and rich color is lovely.

A gorgeous cutting board

This is both useful and a real statement piece in your kitchen, and is a great gift for people who like to cook. I recently got this one for my birthday and love it! Or you can go with a big splurge on this beautiful walnut board that’s a bit larger as well.

A self-warming mug

My best friend swears by this smart mug with temperature controls. It’s a bit of a splurge, but for the busy mom or person working from home that always lets their coffee go cold, it’s a gamechanger!

Artizan Coffee Roasters organic (& compostable) espresso pods

This has become one of my favorite gifts for the coffee lovers in my life, specifically those who already have certain espresso machines. Artizan Coffee offers pods that are biodegradable and compostable, and packed with organic espresso. They even have Swiss water process decaf espresso!

They have pods for both Nespresso and Ese, as well as regular beans, ground coffee, and an amazing array of coffee gadgets.

Hyperchiller for iced coffee, cocktails, etc.

This thing is so cool! (And that’s not even a pun) The Hyperchiller is a fixture in my freezer, because you can use it to chill freshly-brewed coffee or espresso for an iced drink that’s not watered down, or you can use it to chill room temp wine, hot simple syrup, or anything else you didn’t plan ahead for.

Basically, you keep it in the freezer and then pour your liquid in it, and 60 seconds later you have a chilled drink!

Flat-top grill converter

Ever since my entire family became Blackstone converts (and because IG keeps showing me recipes of delicious smashburger tacos), I’ve been eyeing a flat-top. But I’m not buying a whole new grill (mine’s fairly new), so a flat-top converter makes more sense.

One note, I haven’t done enough research yet on the exact brand or specs…carbon steel is good, but I want to make sure there aren’t any toxic coatings on it (like Teflon).

Pretty salt cellar

I have had these cool acacia wood ones for forever and they still give me a little happy vibe each time I use them (for my three different types of salt, natch). Because they’re natural wood, each one that I have is unique even though they’re from the same company.

I also recently found these lovely colored glass ones that I love and now covet…

Amazing olive oils & vinegars

I’ve been a huge fan of these delicious olive oils since I discovered them years ago. The Duo and the basil oils are my favorite, and I’m in love with their blackberry balsamic vinegar and their limited edition strawberry champagne vinegar (which may only be available on their website). These make a special, tasty gift for all kinds of foodies and cooks.

A big-ticket splurge

If you really want to do something special, and the person doesn’t already have all the basics, a great gift is a really quality kitchen appliance. Three big ones that are staples in my kitchen are a great stand mixer, a food processor, and a Vitamix blender.

All three of these have earned their permanent spot on my counters, and get constant use. And they will last for YEARS.

A pizza oven that’s like a pro’s

Another bigger-ticket splurge—and something I’ve been DYING to get—is an Ooni pizza oven. If you love making homemade pizza, this will take it to a whole other level.

The only thing keeping me from getting it is 2+ years of major dietary restrictions and the fact that me eating pizza 24/7 might not be my best life choice. I have a few friends who have them and they rave about it!

A bowl for a GBBO superfan

IYKYK. If you have a Great British Bake-Off fan in your life, they’ll immediately recognize the taupe/tan Mason Cash mixing bowl (this is a bigger version, I have the 4.25 quart size which is plenty big), as it’s a fixture on set. I’ve had one for years and it always gives me a little thrill using it.

They also have a bunch of other beautiful patterns and colors as well as other types of baking prep products.

Pretty pasta or salad bowls

Over the years I’ve somewhat-accidentally collected a unique assortment of beautiful serving platters and bowls, as well as dishes for eating. There are tons of options out there, whether on Amazon, at World Market, Crate & Barrel, etc.

For example, I think this color and pattern is gorgeous (I have these as dinner plates and they are a showstopper!).

Bread baking implements

You don’t need fancy things for baking great bread, but there are a few tools that make it more fun and that can help bread come out better. A banneton, lame, etc. don’t cost much but make me feel SO legit. This kit has all of that and more.

You could also consider a kit from Sunrise Mills, which includes heritage grain flour, dried sourdough starter, implements, and instructions. I’ve been a huge fan of theirs for years, and their products are amazing…I know a lot of people who can’t have gluten normally, but are able to eat their flours.

A cool electric kettle

This gooseneck electric kettle is perfect for exactly controlling the temperature you want (critical for both coffee and tea excellence), and it’s so aesthetically pleasing! As someone who not only makes tea regularly but uses a pourover coffee filter every day, having this level of control is amazing.

Clean, natural hand cream

Man, all that hand washing after getting shaggy dough all over your hands can be rough on the skin. A good hand cream is critical, and so many out there are filled with chemicals and estrogen-disrupting toxins. I’ve been slowly swapping most of my beauty products for tallow-based ones, and have a few companies I’m loving.

Specifically, Sky & Sol’s 24 Hour Moisturizer (10% off with this link) has become a staple, both for my hands, and I’m even using it on my face (you have no idea how insane it is to feel comfortable using the same thing on my hands and face).

If you’re looking for something a bit heavier, I’ve also been using Stone & Spear’s tallow-based body butter (not on my face!)…it feels and smells AMAZING! I’ve been testing out different tallow-based brands and will share others if I find ones I love.

Delicious scented candles that are healthy & non-toxic

As I’ve been transitioning away from conventional beauty and household products to natural and non-toxic ones, giving up scented candles was a big bummer. I’ve always leaned toward food scents, and nothing said “winter” like lighting a cinnamon bun candle and cozying up with a book. But most scented candles are SOOOOO bad for you!

So I’ve been excited to test out some tallow-based ones that use essential oils and extracts for scent. Stone & Spear is an early favorite, and it’s so nice to have this ritual back!

Awesome cookbooks

While I still rely heavily on the internet for finding amazing recipes, there is something so comforting about a cookbook. The best ones are beautiful and thoughtfully curated, with recipes that you can absolutely rely on coming out perfectly.

This list could be like, 30 books long, but I’ve tried to narrow down to a few that are really unique and interesting.

Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat – Samin Nosrat’s masterpiece is less a true cookbook and more of a *cooking* book that includes recipes, and you will learn SO much!
Food 52’s 100 Genius Recipes – while I don’t have this book, I can confirm many of the recipes inside are amazing
SIFT – I’ve followed Nicola Lamb’s newsletter for years, and her easy-to-understand science-based approach to baking yields perfect results
Dishoom’s “From Bombay with Love” – recipes from London’s cult-favorite Indian restaurant
Tartine Bread – San Francisco’s Tartine bakery is one of the most iconic names in bread, and their cookbook does not disappoint
One Bake, Two Ways – Great British Bake-Off star Ruby Bhogul is a hoot on IG, and her new cookbook focuses on delicious bakes with a regular and plant-based option for each

Hopefully this list of gifts for people who cook and bake has helped inspire you find something special. I always love hearing other people’s ideas as well, so hit me up in the comments with yours!