Cooking is one of the best hobbies you can pick up since it's useful in everyday life. Whether you're cooking up a nice breakfast for yourself or a turkey for Thanksgiving, it's a valuable skill you can always rely on. And thanks to reality television, cooking is more popular than ever. It's possible the home chef in your life got started due to shows like Choppedor MasterChef, both of which wonderfully combine cooking ideas with entertainment.
Home chefs are always in need of good supplies, especially if they're cooking for a crowd. If you have your own budding chef in the family, you might be thinking about all the great gifts you can buy them this holiday season. Yet if it's a skill they're just starting to hone, you might not want to go straight to the really expensive stuff, like All-Clad . With cooking, many chefs slowly build their collection once they find out what they actually need and use.
That said, there are still plenty of gifts under $30 that they'll cherish. Do they need any measuring cups? Of course. That's the kind of item that often goes missing. How about spatulas and whisks? Those will also get a ton of use. Even a salt cellar will help your chef prepare food better.
Still thinking of a creative gift idea? Here are 12 things your home chef will love.
Professional Knife Sharpener
Every home chef knows that having sharp knives is ideal — and also a safety precaution. You may not know this, but dull knives create even more kitchen injuries. This knife sharpener is well-reviewed, and it will also be well-received.
Shop Now: Allwin-Houseware Professional Knife Sharpener (Amazon, $3.99)
Sea Salt
There are many different types of salt out there, and they're all special in their own way. But sea salt always makes for a great gift. This is good if you want something that you'll know they'll use. It's better than what you might find in a grocery store, and it'll make meals — or even baking experiments — even more fabulous.
Shop Now: Jacobsen Salt Co. White Grinding Salt (Williams Sonoma, $16.95)
Paring Knife Set
Not only will these help your home chef prepare their meals, but they'll add a pop of color to their kitchen. The stainless steel four-pack is good for small tasks, like peeling.
Shop Now: 2.5-Inch Blade Multi-Color Paring Knife Set (Amazon, $4.75)
Crock Pot Slow Cooker
A slow cooker is great if your home chef is also a hardworking mom or dad. They are wonderful for making a hot and tasty meal throughout the day, and they're a great start if your home chef is fairly new with food prep.
White Silicone and Acacia Utensils Gift Set
These stylish kitchen tools are a Crate and Barrel exclusive. The silicone parts resists heat up to 450°F, meaning that they'll get a lot of use when it comes to creating culinary masterpieces.
Shop Now: White Silicone and Acacia Utensils Gift Set (Crate and Barrel, $29.95)
Automatic Pan Stirrer With Timer
This fun little gadget from Uncommon Goods will help save some time in the kitchen. It's great for homemade sauces or anything that requires constant stirring. Your home chef won't know how they survived without it.
Shop Now: Automatic Pan Stirrer With Timer (Uncommon Goods, $25)
Large Ceramic Mixing Bowl
Your home chef will always need a new mixing bowl. Mixing bowls are useful for so many recipes, and this one is extra special as it was color-dipped by hand. This bowl can also work as a serving bowl for breads and salads.
Shop Now: Large Ceramic Mixing Bowl (Crate and Barrel, $24.95)
Flexible Plastic Cutting Board Mats
Cutting board and cutting board mats are another gift that's always worth giving. But these are extra special because they help stop any type of cross-contamination when you assign each mat to a particular food group. If you have any food allergies in the family, these are wonderful for helping make sure meals are safe.
Shop Now: Flexible Plastic Cutting Board Mats (Amazon, $7.19)
Silicone Oven Mitt
Silicone oven mitts are a great way for home chefs to protect their hands around the oven. These particular mitts come in four different color options and are heat resistant up to 500°F. They can also double as potholders in a pinch.
Stainless Steel Black 3-Quart Colander
Rinsing produce is very important, especially if you're trying to eat healthily and not get sick. This stainless steel colander will be a handy helper when it comes to produce prep. It includes a nonslip base and is safe to clean in the dishwasher.
Shop Now: Stainless Steel Black 3-Quart Colander (Crate and Barrel, $24.95)
Hand-Forged Meat Cleaver
This multipurpose 6.3-inch meat cleaver comes with its own leather sheath and is good for meats as well as veggies. The sandalwood handle is sturdy and easier to hold. This isn't just a cleaver — it's a work of art.
Oil Mister
When cooking certain foods, it's always important to use oil. This oil mister from Sur La Table will impress any chef and be a welcome addition to their kitchen space. It's also easy to use. All you need to do is fill it with oil.
Shop Now: Oil Mister (Sur La Table, $16)
Psst: If you choose to purchase an item on this list, LittleThings may receive a small cut. Each item and price is up to date at the time of publication; however, an item may be sold out or the price may be different at a later date.
