The Best Gifts for the Hard-to-Please Foodies

Be it for the hostess, the foodie, or the home-chef, a well-thought-out gift with a culinary inclination is one that will surely be appreciated. After all, it’s rare that we splurge on an item for the kitchen, and even more so, find one that isn’t entirely utilitarian. With this in mind, we set out to find the must-have pieces—we’re talking everything from the best cookbooks on the market to the beautifully-crafted items that’ll elevate your current storage game. Read on for the complete lowdown on the ultimate gifts for the foodie in your life. Even if said foodie is you.

Matte Dinner Plate, Beau Rush Ceramics,

$54

Dinnerware in need of a refresh? This matte stoneware plate comes in a curated variety of four muted blush tones, inspiring us to rethink the traditional. Mix and match the hues, or opt for a monochromatic set—your giftee will love it either way.

The Full Set Snack Pack, Aida,

$48

Delicious snacks plus ultra chic packaging? Count us in. From Szechuan candied pecans and currant turmeric crisps to lemon candied pepitas and a variety of crackers, consider this the one and only mainstay of the ultimate appetizer board.

Duo Salt & Pepper Shaker, Alexandre Reignier,

$81

A sleek salt and pepper shaker is hard to come by, one that can stand amidst a variety of decorative tastes? Even more so. Made in France, this solid wood set is pure sophistication.

Greek Organic Wine Vinegar Trio, Food52,

$32

Any foodie knows that the key to a well-made salad lies within a quality vinaigrette and by extension, quality vinegar. This set features white wine, red wine, and white balsamic-style vinegar, to help elevate just about any dish.

A Little Color Frying Pan, Kapka,

$35

Giving the gift of a frying pan may not seem like the most thrilling but when said frying pan looks as good as this handmade version, all bets are off. From its lively, all-natural color detail to its ultra versatile, indoor and outdoor usability, this is one seriously untraditional take on a culinary essential.

Dining In: Highly Cookable Recipes, by Alison Roman, 

$15

Soft Touch Black Tumblers, Duralex,

$36   Stackable, chip-resistant, and effortlessly minimalist, these sleek black tumblers should be a mainstay of a bar cart. The best part? Its tempered glass composition means that it can house both hot and cold brews.

Chili Granola, Bad Seed,

$14.25

Calling all spice-lovers! Chili granola is one such blend that can be utilized in a myriad of ways: Toss it with a bowl of warm Brussels Sprouts, use it as a garnish atop a bowl of vanilla ice cream (yes, really!), or simply consume it as a snack.

Dolly Napkin, Block Shop,

$12

Beautifully decked with polka-dots and stripes, this terracotta-hued linen napkin will lend the table with a chic and earthy touch.

Pepper Grinder, Hay, 

$35

As if the streamlined composition of this ultra sleek pepper grinder wasn’t enough, tack on the fact that it also allows you to adjust the grinder for various degrees of coarseness.

Scourer Sponges by Hay, MoMA Design Store,

$10  Have you ever seen a sponge as chic? We would actually look forward to doing the dishes with this colorful set.

The Icon Denim Apron, Celina Mancurti, $

78

From its adjustable cross-back straps to the full pocket up front, this chef-grade, denim apron is both functional and style-focused.

Pinch Clip, Areaware, 

$30

Gone are the days of stale chips and loose baggies in the fridge. This playful clip essentially doubles as an extra hand, because who couldn’t use that?

From Dawn ’til Dusk Master Blend Duo Set, Paper and Tea,

$36

Find boxed tea to err on the side of a snoozy gift? Think again. This set is comprised of a duo of caffeine-free and organic herbal blends to be enjoyed at all hours of the day.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Cobram Estate, $13

Quality olive oil is hard to come by, and one that can dress a variety of dishes, even more so. We know the hostess or foodie in your life is going to love this bottle, processed sans any chemicals or additives.

Ceramic Bowl, Andrea Zittel, $45

Crafted by Whitney collection artist, Andrea Zittel, these handmade ceramic bowls perfectly encapsulate the wabi-sabi aesthetic. Create a chic bundle of bowls in varying sizes for the ultimate hostess gift.

Rolling Pin by Lostine, $73

There is nothing utilitarian about this rolling pin. Beautifully crafted of solid wood, it’s one kitchen essential no baker should be without.

Basket Tray, The Pursuits of Happiness, $560

Talk about a statement piece. Whether it be used as a decorative figure or a basket to store your farmers’ market haul, this sculptural tray—appropriately finished in a sweet shade of pink—is one for the art-inclined.

Dalecho Ethiopia Coffee, 

from $16 seycoffee.com An ethically sustainable and quality cup of joe may be hard to come by these days, hence why we can’t get enough of Sey’s delicious slew of roasts.

Asymmetric Cutting Board, Ferm Living

$47.99 Square and circle cutting boards are so last year. We’ve got our eyes on this asymmetrical piece, which will undoubtedly inspire a daring element to just about any culinary station.

Discover more gift ideas for the foodie

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