A gift guide for the kitchen lover (who doesn’t need more gadgets)

When your family member or friend loves cooking and spending quality time in their kitchen, it makes sense to buy them something kitchen related.

But what about the person who has everything?

There are only so many kitchen gadgets a person can use. And some people have even more than that.

 

 

You want to buy something a little quirky but still really useful. Because if someone really loves cooking, the chances are they’re creative, practical, and interested in using something a little different.

For example, try something made from olive wood. It is so strikingly beautiful! It would be gorgeous in a farmhouse kitchen, or in a mid century style kitchen. It reminds me of a fruit bowl my parents had when we were growing up, filled with shiny red apples. 

 

Carved Kitchen Hand Carved Olive Wood Salad/Fruit Bowl

 

 

All these items are available on Amazon – the prices aren’t listed because they are subject to change, so click on the photo to see the current price. There’s always a balance between budget and quality – hopefully there’s something here for everyone.

One of my favorite kitchen gifts is a butter dish. They are such a beautiful thing and they are genuinely useful. Even if you already have one, you might just fancy a change of design. I love that this butter dish is classic but really stands out on your countertop. 

 

Kahler Omaggio Butter Dish – Handmade Faience Ceramic with Oak Lid

 

Here’s a very practical suggestion: herb scissors. These are so useful! I love this design with the cleaning comb. 

Jenaluca Herb Scissors with 5 blades and a cover with cleaning comb

 

 

 

Joseph Joseph Adjustable Rolling Pin with Removable Rings

 

I’m a huge fan of Joseph Joseph products, because they are such high quality. They last for ages, and they manage to make very ordinary things look interesting. Take a look at this adjustable rolling pin. You will always make your cookies and your pie crust just right with this. 

 

For the kitchen lover who really does have everything, think about taking things in a slightly different direction. Every chef has an area they could learn more about – try a cookery book on a completely new-to-them cuisine. 

Cookery books have the added advantage of being just fabulous reads. Take this French Country Cooking book, for example. The atmosphere of the pictures and the writing transports you all the way to rustic France. It’s like a window into a whole different culture and way of thinking about food and eating. On Amazon you can read the first few pages to get a good feel for the book – it’s just lovely. 

 

French Country Cooking: Meals and Moments from a Village in the Vineyards

 

And while you’re on a mental trip to France, how about this Parisian oven mitt? 

Oven mitts (if they are anything like mine) need replacing after a few encounters with lasagne or meatball sauce. So it’s a great gift for any cook at any time. 

 

Michel Design Works Padded Cotton Oven Mitt, Toujours Paris

 

 

I leave you with a couple of suggestions which fit my usual criteria: practical but beautiful…

These scales are the business. I’m a huge fan of mechanical scales for home cooking – no more faffing about with batteries or making sure it really was at zero when you added the sugar. If your kitchen is in any way rustic, this would fit like a glove. My kitchen at the moment (as you often find in rented places – click here to see my suggestions for putting your own personality into your rental kitchen) is very black and white and modern.  I think this soft turquoise would be gorgeous, but would the farmhouse style look out of place? I’m sorely tempted, though!

 

Beekman 1802 FarmHouse Metal Household Scale, turquoise

 

If you know anyone who loves to entertain and show hospitality, this cream and sugar set from Rhyne and Son would be a really special gift. It’s available in several different colors – click through to see which you prefer. I chose the rose because it’s a soft, delicate piece. And this color is sweet but not overpowering. 

 

Rhyne and Son, Depression style Cream and Sugar Set

 

Honestly, these are fabulous gifts for your loved one who loves their kitchen. But they just might make it onto your own wish list too. I know those scales are headed towards mine…

Happy shopping everyone!

 

 

 

About the author

Elizabeth is a writer and a long time occupier of (mostly rental) small kitchens. She delights in making kitchens beautiful, and in helping you to do the same.    Over the past 10 years she has lived in an apartment above a restaurant, a tiny Victorian terrace, an Edwardian (even tinier) home, and a house with a kitchen from the 1980s. She now lives in a 1970s house with lovely natural light but very minimal cupboards.