Updated OCTOBER 25, 2020
Who loves to cook? I do. And I am sure you have a friend or family member who loves to spend time in the kitchen. What comes to your mind when thinking of gifts for people who like cooking? I hear you asking, “Will they like the gift?”, “Are they going to use it?” and “What gift can I get that won’t break the bank?” Many thoughts need to be given into searching for the ideal gift – practical to the recipient and affordable to you. Today, I do the search. You sit back and select the gift from this list I have compiled. Read on…
Most often than not, there are kitchen utensils or gadgets that you would love to have but will not buy yourself. Do you agree with me?
You see that beautiful marble cutting board that you love but before you reach out to your pocket, you will be asking yourself – is it necessary? NO, I will just stick to my wood cutting board.
Some items are good and lovely to have but will not buy yourself. In this case, you will wish to receive such a gift. Yes, no?
Best Gifts for People Who Like Cooking
Here are 16 affordable and practical gifts I have given much thought into. No doubt some are simple items but useful. Others unique will leave an impression on your friend.
I want you to know and understand that this post contains affiliate links. When you click them and make a purchase, I receive a small commission (to keep this website going) at no additional cost to you. Read about my Amazon Affiliate Disclosure here.
Let’s start…
Gifts Under $10
→ Stainless Steel Funnels
Comes in a set of 3, these funnels are perfect for adding salt, pepper, herbs or spices into shakers or jars.
Transferring oils and vinegar into cruets or small decorative bottles for gifts are made easy using these.
Also, these can be used to add powdered drink mixes into water bottles.
Each funnel has a perfectly narrow stem ideal for filling small bottles. Additionally, it has an indent (air release channel) allowing funnels to vent and thus the contents flow better.
Frankly, when filling my spice jar, I will simply pour the spices or dried herbs onto a piece of grease paper and slowly shove them into the jars. Of course, there will be a bit of spillage. Won’t it be great using a proper funnel? Sure do.
→ Floral Apron
Stay pretty in the kitchen while cooking in this beautiful floral apron. It comes with extra-long ties that allow for wrap around and a bow to be tied in the front if desired. The flattering shape makes this apron great for most body shapes and types.
Now, who says one can’t stay good-looking in the kitchen?
I know many people would already have at least one apron at home. But a new apron can be worn on occasions when friends or family are invited for a cook together eat together gatherings. Give one to your friend and make sure you are invited to the gathering 😉
→ Japanese Ceramic Mortar and Wooden Pestle
Crafted from durable earthenware with a rich brown outer glaze, the mortar bowl features an unglazed, ribbed interior. This design holds ingredients at a slope for efficient, visible grinding. The coordinating wooden pestle works well with the ceramic materials, so that the ingredients, not the bowl, take the beating.
It is ideal for grinding and crushing herbs, seeds, and spices. Comfortable in the hand, the pestle is shaped to maximize the contours of the bowl for uniform and quick results.
This mortar and pestle set is considered lightweight, at approximately 12 ounces. Most home cooks would already have a heavy duty set for pounding and bashing. Wouldn’t it be easier if there is a smaller and lighter unit for crushing herb, spices or ingredients in a smaller amount? It is definitely easier to handle.
I have a heavy duty granite mortar and pestle set. When it comes to crushing a small amount of fresh herbs or spices, I will simply chop or crush them instead of lugging the heavy set out from the cabinet. I am sure people will appreciate having a lighter set in hand for simple use.
Gifts Under $15
→ Bamboo Cookbook Stand
A cookbook should be given a proper spot on the counter. This bamboo stand will do a nice job keeping the recipes book out of the mess while the meal is being prepared.
With the book on the stand, the counter is less cluttered with more room to prepare a
delicious meal.
Moreover, it is easier to read at an angle than having the book flat on the countertop. This stand has 6 angle settings.
In addition, this ensures the book is away from accidental spills or splash. If you look at my recipe book or sheets, soiled spots can be seen especially on my favourite pages.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have a proper and safe place for a cookbook? This stand is appropriate for a tablet too.
So, how do you feel getting one of this for your friend or family member?
→ Oil Infuser
This is a highly recommended gift for the herb lover.
Herb infused oil adds delectable flavours to any home cooked meals and this is the perfect container for making flavoured oil.
The glass reservoir is perfect for infusing while the tilt and pour spout makes it easy for drizzling the flavoured oil onto dishes.
Not much need to be said about this product – simply a perfectlicious gift for the herb lover.
Would you consider making your own herb-infused oil to give it a personal touch? Click here to find out how.
→ Spice Rack – Lazy Susan Turntable
Placed in the pantry cabinet or on the countertop, this turntable helps organize the spices neatly. It glides easily to find the spice needed – no more shifting bottles and jars in front to get the ones behind. Fitted with a non-skid liner, the spice bottles stay in place while spinning.
Having it in the cabinet maximizes space while it gives a better scene on the kitchen counter. A functional piece that needs no mounting.
You can be assured that this is a useful gift to give.
Should you be interested to check out other spice rack organizers, click here to read my review.
→ Herb Scissors
This is another cool gift for the home cook who loves cooking with fresh herbs. No more tedious chopping. With this heavy duty 5 blades kitchen shear, one can snip herbs directly onto food. It saves time and hassle.
Furthermore, this indispensable kitchen gadget comes with a cover case to protect the blades when stored. Most importantly, prevents finger cuts.
The cover doubles as a herb removal. One quick swipe of the cover removes clinging herbs.
In brief, this is the perfect tool to have – no mess, more speed in cooking.
→ Adjustable Handheld Mandoline Slicer
Simple and fuss-free mandoline perfect for slicing. Adjustable in 3 simple settings, 1mm, 2.5mm and 4mm.
The food holder protects the fingers from minor incidents. This is an important feature to have. A few times, I had my fingernail sliced off. And some near-miss incidents of having my finger ‘sliced’.
With this 1 piece unit, there is minimum washing to be done and it is dishwasher safe.
Gifts Under $20
→ Foldable Plastic Cutting Board
When the handle of the board is squeezed, the sides fold up forming a chute. This allows cut vegetables or fruits to slide down easily into cooking pots or containers without spilling. Using a normal cutting board, cut food will go out of the way while sliding down.
This foldable cutting board simply makes food preparation less messy and much easier. Surely, this will be appreciated.
→ salad spinner
This is the go-to gadget for someone who loves their green salad. It quickly dries freshly washed lettuce and other leafy greens.
The unit’s transparent base bowl doubles as a serving bowl – straight from the kitchen counter to the dining table. Or simply cover it up for easy fridge storage.
Have you known anyone who uses a colander to dry their salad? I am sure there is and I do. This salad spinner may be a simple gift but very useful.
→ Herb keeper
A herb keeper is an ideal container for storing fresh herbs such as parsley, cilantro and rosemary among others. It keeps them fresh for an extended period of time.
The slim design fits nicely on the refrigerator door shelves.
The basket promotes 360° air circulation while the lid maintains humidity for freshness. It can be opened wide for easy access to herbs and protects delicate leaves and has a handle for lifting in and out of the container.
Fresh herbs are mostly sold in bundles and for most recipes, a bundle is too much. What to do with leftover herbs? Often, this is a home cook’s dilemma.
If you know of someone who loves to cook using fresh herbs, she or he will be delighted to receive this as a gift.
→ Book – Alchemy of Herbs: Transform Everyday Ingredients into Foods and Remedies that Heal
Herbs do more than adding amazing flavours to home cooked meals. They give meals a nutritional boost. This introductory book shows how to incorporate herbs and their nutritive and medicinal properties into food to upkeep health.
Most home cooks are already busy with their daily chores thus will not have time to think of this – using herbs as remedies.
Would you agree with me that this is a very thoughtful gift? Thinking of your friend’s well-being, this is the perfect gift for her or him.
→ manual chopper
A homemaker is always in a hurry. This chopper helps to quickly and safely chop garlic, onion, vegetables, and more with a few easy pumps.
Simply place ingredients inside the non-slip cup and press down to rotate the wave-pattern blade for thorough chopping. Knife and chopping board are not needed. Great!
The removable blade cartridge easily comes apart and is dishwasher safe. That means less time cleaning and more time enjoying the meal.
→ Herb Garden Starter Kit
Every home cook will want to have fresh herbs at their fingertips at all times. What better way than to grow their own! This is a simple and straightforward herb starter kit with everything one needs to begin with, all in one box.
The grow kit contains
- Organic seed packets (basil, thyme, cilantro, parsley, sage)
- Seed starting oil pellets
- Biodegradable growing pots
- Plant markers
- Step-by-step sowing and growing instruction manual
This makes a unique gift that your friend will surely have fun growing their own herbs. After which, the fresh herbs will be easily available to cook a delightful meal. Make sure your friend invites you to dinner then!
Should you want to take a look at more choices, click here. There are a few herb starter kits which are suitable for beginners with price ranging from $20 – $50.
Two gift ideas that are a bit pricey (≅ $30) but worth considering
→ Marble Pastry Board
Made of 100% marble, the cool and smooth surface together with its natural non-stick properties are ideal for rolling or kneading dough. Also suitable for cookies and other pastries.
The non-slip rubber feet on the bottom provides protection for the countertop. Furthermore, leave it on the countertop, the sleek design adds elegance to the kitchen.
The price is a bit expensive, I know. Therefore, you may consider buying this for someone close to you. Someone dear to you who loves to cook and bake! Oh, I love to have one and will wait for it 😉
→ Instant Marinator
A quick and easy way to marinate beef, pork, poultry, fish or vegetables. With this Instant Marinator, the marinate time can be reduced to 20 minutes instead of hours or overnight. It has a capacity of 2.5 litres.
The Vacuum Pump (included), pumps to remove air, creating an airtight seal that allows the meat to draw the marinade in.
Made from highly durable polycarbonate, the marinator is dishwasher safe and the vacuum pump can be easily cleaned by wiping with warm water.
Time is of the essence for a home cook and this will surely help them save time in the food preparation process.
On several occasions, I have forgotten about marinating the meat in advance. Well, life is busy. So, it will be wonderful using an Instant Marinator – get it done in 20 minutes.
If you take a closer look at the customer reviews of this product on Amazon, there were some negative reviews among the positives.
It was mostly because of the lid imploded. There was one very good advice from a customer – do NOT over-pump the lid. Doing so will cause the edges of the lid to crack from the pressure. Follow the instruction manual strictly using the vacuum pump.
On the other hand, the positive comment is this product truly helps infuse the flavour of the marinade into the meat in a much shorter time.
There is always the good and the bad. It very much depends on how the product is being handled and used.
To help you decide if this is the gift for your friend,
If you are a DIY person
Try making your own gift, giving a personal touch and leaving a lasting impression.
Spice Rub – create your own spice blend and present it as a gift. Click here to find out how.
Herb Infused Oil – create your own signature version using the Oil Infuser recommended above. Else, look for a nice beautiful bottle to store and give away as a gift. Click here for details.
The End – Not Till You Have Bought Your Gift
I hope the gifts listed here have given you an idea about what to buy for people who like to cook. No matter for a seasoned home cook or for someone who only cooks occasionally, these are very useful and practical tools to have.
The gifts recommended can help lightens the cooking tasks
- The food preparation time can be reduced
- Less effort is needed when using an appropriate tool
- Get to enjoy cooking time in the kitchen.
Go on, you can help your friend or a family member achieve the above by getting one (or two) of the gifts listed here. Perhaps, you want one for yourself?
There are other lists of gifts you may be interested to look at
- Fun Kitchen Gadgets Gifts Under $20
- Gifts for Home Chefs – Give the Gift of Flavours
- Kitchen Gifts for Mom Who Loves to Cook
Before you proceed with the purchase or continue to the next page, tell me which your favourite item is. Or have you any other items in mind? Share with us in the comments section below.
Happy Selecting & Shopping!
From the Corner of My Home – Spice Up Your Life with Herbs and Spices
Disclosure: This blog post may contain affiliate links as part of the Amazon.com Services LLC Associate Programs and other affiliate services. This means that cornerofmyhome.com receives a small commission by linking to amazon.com and other sites at no extra cost to the readers.
Some great ideas here – I was struggling in finding some decent cookware for my partner (birthday) because everything seemed so expensive – thankfully you’ve saved my search!
I especially like the wooden bookstand and the pestle and mortar – they have the more traditional cookware feel about them and would look great in any traditional kitchen!
You are correct, Chris. Things are getting expensive nowadays.
Most of the products I recommended here are non-expensive but very useful and practical for the home cook. Whoever receive these gifts will surely appreciate them.
Thanks for dropping by!
Oh my goodness, you have so many great products on your site. I do enjoy cooking, maybe even love it. I love the smell of the food as I am preparing it and the sound of it cooking, I enjoy the look of it, the presentation of it on the plates. I love the taste of it and the feeling of it in my mouth. Ok, ok, ok I love cooking and I love eating.
I must get one of the infusers, that is a great idea and I don’t have one of those yet. OPh, oh, the folding cutting board, what a genius thing. Another got to get item. The instant marinator looks interesting, but I will need to look at it closer. But, like I said, you are displaying so many wonderful products here. Thank you for the insight and great products. Ok, now I am getting hungry thinking ab out all the food I want to cook. Ciao
I am glad you love the ideas.
Holiday season is coming. It is the best time to start looking for gifts for your friends or family members to love to cook.
Remember to get one or two for yourself!
The manual chopper and marble slab are both items I keep in my kitchen. They work great. My wife had the Herb starter garden kit and it did very well till my cat started chewing on the herbs. Personally I think I am going to add the Lazy Susan turntable and folding cutting board to my holiday list. Keeping the herbs in order and easy to find always seems to be an issue with everyone doing their own cooking in the kitchen. I was wondering about the oil infuser. How long does that normally have to set for before it is ready to use? Thanks
Oh, looks like your cat loves fresh herbs too. Thought of getting another Indoor Herb Garden Kit? You may check these out.
If I am using the warm infusion method to make my flavoured oil, I will consume it right away. However, I will let it set for at least 2 weeks when using the cool method. Also, I prefer using dried herbs because I don’t want the hassle of washing and drying the fresh herbs. Traces of moisture will cause bacteria to grow, contributing to the spoilage. Click here to read more.
Hope the information helps. Let me know should you have further queries.
Thanks for dropping by!
I love to cook, so am I allowed to buy a present for myself? 🙂
The one thing that’s missing from my cooking is an instant marinator. I normally buy my meat pre-marinated because frankly I’m too lazy to do this one day upfront… I mean, it’s like you say, life is busy… 😉
This one looks pretty nice and durable and the people who managed to implode the lit… Well let’s just say there are always people that manage to break anything. I think I’ve got a healthy dose of common sense, so I’m not worried about that happening to me.
Hello Jurgen,
You can leave a note (wish list) for your loved one to buy you the Instant Marinator!
No doubt there were quite a bit of complains but it is a very useful product to have. I love it and perhaps I should leave a note too 😉
Thanks for your comment!
Sharon
There are many thing you could buy for somebody, but the thing I have found the most useful is a good quality mortar and pestle, I make all sorts with it from grinding up curry paste to making salad dressings, it’s super handy. I almost always uses scissors to cut my fresh herbs, the herb scissors are clever! great way to get more uniform size from the leaves quicker.
You are absolutely correct, Vaughn. I have a good quality granite mortar and pestle that handles all the heavy pounding. A great tool indeed. Having a light duty set like the one I recommended will be very useful too, for crushing herbs and spices.
Thanks for the comment.
Sharon
Great Post! I love gadgets so this was an interesting read for me. I especially like clever ideas like a folding cutting board! I actually have the exact same herb scissors you are showing here and I can therefore confirm that they are brilliant. Mine is even the same color and has the tiny plastic fingers to clean the blades safely and get all the herbs out.
Another great thing on your list is the herb kit. I was not really into gardening before a local supermarket started promoting these little pots with seedlings that would grow useful herbs! It is really something to plant these because the soil is fun to play with (you have to add water and it expands a bit and then you mix it).
To see the plants actually grow is really quite something and definitely something everyone should give a try!
Thanks for sharing your experience, Renton. I am certainly sure the herb scissors is a very useful tool to have. Perhaps you like to buy one for a friend in need 🙂
Hi and thanks for the great advice on some of these nice affordable gift ideas for people who like to cook. I sadly am not gifted in that department so won’t have it on my Xmas list. But I might get a couple of items for people i know who are. Thanks
Hello Kenny. These gift ideas are not strictly for people who like to cook. Those who only cook occasionally or starting to will appreciate these items. Not gifted but can cook will like these too 🙂
Thanks for dropping by!
Who loves to cook? I do! I’d love to receive all these stuff as gifts. Probably won’t buy them myself. Have you tried any of these? Would love to have some user experience. How about package? As a gift, package is kinda important. Do they come in a presentable box?
Overall, lovely list of presents. Thanks for sharing.
Like you, I love to cook and these are the things I love to have. I do have a few of these items but not entirely the same. For example, I have a granite mortar and pestle but would love to have the lighter version that is the ceramic set which I recommended. Also, the herb scissors. Mine is not exactly a herb scissor but I used it as one.
Since you and I like to have these are gifts, I am pretty sure many home cooks will like them too.
Of course, a nicely wrapped gift is necessary. If you are sending the item directly from Amazon to your friend, Amazon Gift Wrap is available for a small fee. Make sure to select the option after adding to your shopping cart.
Otherwise, give it a personal touch by wrapping your own!
So, which one of these are you gonna pick as a gift?
There are so many good suggestions here that it’s hard to tell which one is the best. The cookbook stand is definitely a good idea. It’s a handy way to keep the cookbook open at the right spot, and it’s a gift that not many people would think of.
I also liked the herb garden. Fresh herbs can be hard to find, and it’s probably easier and cheaper to have them growing at home, especially as they don’t take up very much room.
The mandolin slicer looks good. It’s easier and safer than using a knife, and you also get more even slices.
Thank you for the positive response. I highly recommend the herb garden starter kit. It makes a great gift for someone who loves cooking with fresh herbs. I am sure they want them fresh at their fingertips always. Here is a guide to grow herbs indoor all year round. Otherwise, check out my recommendations for other herb garden kits for beginners. Get one for yourself and another for your friend.
Should you need other related information, please feel free to drop me a line or two. Good day!
I love to cook. My grandmother is a young wife and mother who also enjoys cooking for her family.
I saw several items in your post that are great and useful in the kitchen. The best part is they are very affordable. I’ve been cooking for a long time and have a lot of the items in my kitchen already. My granddaughter on the other hand will be getting a couple of them for holiday gifts.
My favorite is the Herb Scissors to use instead of chopping. It will be faster and safer. I like the cover case as an added feature. Thanks again for the information.
V. Pearl
The herb scissors is a very useful tool indeed and for sure your granddaughter will be happy to receive these as gifts. Thanks for commenting and you have a good day!
I found some of the products here very useful and will consider buying my mother the vegetable cutter. I think she will like it.
I believe that more people here have found something for their relatives.
I love to cooking myself very much and I learned a lot about herbs and spices here and their use
thanks to Sharon and her wonderful website Thanks and I’ll be back again soon 🙂
Thanks for dropping by and the positive feedback, Lara. Glad you have found your gift here. You have a good day!
First of all, I love the post! I am an avid cook in the kitchen and actually was trained as a chef starting out my work career long ago (longer than I care to mention here). I also have many friends who also like to cook, and we all spend a lot of time in the kitchen as part of watching sporting events…
It is with this in mind that I went searching for some good ideas for gifts for these people that like to cook as I do. We are always looking for gadgets that really are useful and will be used by us as we whip up our creations. Your ideas are simply wonderful and moderately priced too.
I like so many that I just had to bookmark the site. With birthdays coming up, I want to plan ahead and get some special things that these guys have not thought of for our kitchen time. There are plenty to be found in this post. The one that likely will not fit is the flowery apron! The rest, yep they would work! Thanks…
Hello Dave,
I am delighted that you like the items recommended. They are affordable and practical. I like all of them too thus the recommendation.
As for the flowery apron, well, I am sure you have a lady friend somewhere…
Happy Cooking,
Sharon
Great post and good info.
This sounds something for my brother, he’s a chef cook so obviously he loves to cook, next month is his birthday, so me and my wife will check which one of these will suit for him and also what he still needs for in the kitchen.
Thanks a lot for sharing it, because I didn’t knew what to buy for him!
I am glad this post gave you some idea what to get for your brother.
Thanks for dropping by, Emmanuel.
Hi, thanks for a lots of ideas there. They look really amazing. Now I am wondering about one thing. Those funnels look cool. But I am not sure how durable they will be if we will use water or other liquids. Do you think they are stainless and we can use them to liquids as well as to salt pepper and so on?
Hi Igor,
The funnels are stainless steel and it is perfectly alright to use it for transferring oil or vinegar or other liquids. Also, they are dishwasher safe.
Sharon
Thank you for this great and amazing post, my fiancee has been on the look out for the salad spinner for quite a time now, I will surely share this post with her.i like the floral apron image you posted above, it will surely fit well to the body while cooking in the kitchen. This will be among my Valentine gift collections for my partner.Thank you.
Hi Clement.
I am thrilled that you find the gifts here ideal for your partner.
Best wishes,
Sharon
Thank you so much! I’ve been searching for a gift for my mom.
I decided to get the apron, for sure. And then I’m between the pastry board and the turntable. I think the turntable it’s more useful – since she already has a couple of pastry boards, but the one you suggest is so good looking.
What would you recommend?
Oh, Kate. I am sure your mom will love them all. Personally, I love the pastry board. Hoping someone will get it as a gift for me!
Cheers,
Sharon
Good afternoon Sharon,
What a great idea to write a post on gifts for people who like to cook. I like to cook so this really interested me.
Stainless Steel Funnels. Your first is already a hit with me. That air release channel is perfect.
Bamboo Cookbook Stand. That I think is very practical.
Herb Scissors. Very good as it prevents chopping my own fingers.
Herb Garden Starter Kit. This would also be a good gift for young children who have shown interest in cooking.
I must say I like your list. The items I chose I will put on my own birthday wishlist.
Regards, Taetske
I am delighted you like most of these gifts. Like you, I have listed them on my wishlist – for my better half to take note 😉
You have a good day, Taetske.
Sharon
So many people just don’t care about their cooking utensils. I’m the number culprit in this in my family.
in as much as the cooking utensils are bit cheaper compare to items in serving as gift, we just don’t care about our kitchen most times. We care about spending more money in other aspect of our life such as fancy cloths, shoes and cars.
I’m a good cook and I’ll love to have and change some of my cooking utensils such as cutting board, marinator, salad spinne and apron.
Without ordering via Amazon, how can i get these items?
Hello Kehinde,
You can shop around the departmental stores or hypermarkets nearby. Walmart, Target, Home Depot …? Not sure if they carry the exact product and brand mentioned here. You will have to look around a bit. Nonetheless, I am sure they will have something similar.
On the other hand, you can always conveniently browse and buy on Amazon from the comfort of your home and get it delivered to your doorstep. Amazon provides gift wrapping service too. In this case, you can send the gift directly to your friend whom you intended to buy the gift for.
All the best,
Sharon
Thanks for this information There is no woman that will not like the gift items we have in this site. One can buy them to replace some of his or her kitchen utensils or one can also buy to present as gift to most especially newly wedded couples. I like the stainless steel funnel and the apron. In fact it just Like I should buy all the kitchen stuff here because they are looking pretty good.
Indeed. I like them all thus recommending to all of YOU visiting. Thanks for dropping by.
Thanks for the highly-informative post! It’s true that some gadgets and utensils are really good for us but, due to the low financial purse, we may decide that we don’t need to buy them ourselves. Had we got the financial capability, we would have loved to get most of these things for kitchen use. I’m particularly interested in the herb scissors because of the faster speed it ensures for cooking. Thanks for the helpful and informative post!
Israel Olatunji
Hello Israel,
Nice to see you here again. Am glad you like most of the gifts listed here.
See you again!
Sharon
Who better to guide us in finding a kitchen gift than a cook,?
It,s convenient, that all the gifts are available at one shop, but where else can we find competitive prices?
Not only do we have cooking and preparation utensils,but also items that make life easier, such as the cookbook/tablet stand,and the lovely floral apron.
One item we found amazing, which I have never seen, before is the time saving Herb Scissors.
Hello Robert.
It is most convenient to shop on Amazon but feel free to browse in any of the online marketplaces.
Happy shopping,
Sharon