6 Things That Will Make a Chef Smile This 2021

It’s a good thing to start the year with a smile. It’s an even better thing if you’re making another person smile. One way to do this is by giving people things that they truly appreciate.

However, buying gifts for your friends and loved ones can be a little challenging, even if you’ve known them for a long time. It’s even more difficult to choose if you don’t have the same interests. Just take chefs and cooking enthusiasts, for example. If you don’t know your way around a kitchen, you probably don’t know what kind of gift to buy.

Well, you don’t have to worry anymore. Below, we list a few things you can give to the chefs in your life that they would truly appreciate. What’s great is that these aren’t only for special occasions—you can always give them at any time as “just because” gifts!

A Good Knife

A good knife is a chef’s best friend. With proper care, a high-quality knife can last a chef a lifetime. If you have the money to spare, give your chef friend or loved one a premium Japanese knife. Brands like Masamoto still practice traditional Japanese knife-making, ensuring not just quality but also beauty.

For a safe bet, choose a chef’s knife so it can be used for a variety of purposes, such as chopping, mincing, and slicing vegetables, as well as slicing meat. Some cooks even use a Masamoto chef’s knife for cutting sushi.

To protect the knife and make it easier to carry, add a durable knife bag to your gift. Choose one that’s made with leather or waxed canvas for optimum safety. There are also knife bags with multiple slots for more knives or other kitchen tools. As a bonus, the knife bag can act as your packaging so you don’t have to wrap the gift.

A Juicer or a Blender

Giving a chef kitchen appliances can be tricky because there’s just so many to choose from. Juicers and blenders are great bets, though. They’re perfect for making fresh, healthy juices and smoothies, not to mention soup stocks, hummus, sauces, and salsa.

Make sure to choose juicers and blenders that can accommodate a bigger variety of fruits and vegetables. Take note of the speed settings, too, as well as other functions such as auto-juicing features. Finally, it’s a good idea to get juicers and blenders with detachable parts so they’re easy to clean.

A Good Apron

An apron is more than just a protective layer for your clothes that protects against spills and stains. It’s also useful for preventing dirt, dust, and germs from your clothes from contaminating the food (and vice versa). An apron can also be a fashion statement. For home cooks, an apron can tell guests who’s in charge of the kitchen.

Cotton, muslin, and canvas are some of the most common materials used for aprons. These fabrics are light and breathable, but they aren’t waterproof. It’s best if you can find aprons with dual layers or linings on the inside for better protection. There are also leather aprons, but these can be a lot more expensive. The trade-off is that they’re not only stylish, but will also last for a very long time.

For features, make sure to look for ones with pockets for versatility. Consider aprons made with indigenous fabrics as well, whether for accents or as the main material. This way, you’re also supporting Filipino culture.

Comfy Shoes and Socks

Cooks and chefs stand for long hours, which means their legs and feet can get quite achy at the end of the day. Thus, a pair of extra-comfy shoes and some socks would certainly be appreciated. If your budget isn’t enough for shoes, you can invest in a couple of pairs of compression socks. These can help maintain proper blood circulation, which can then reduce discomfort and swelling on the legs and feet.

A Unique or Quirky Cookbook

There are thousands of recipes from all over the world. If your chef is the adventurous type, consider getting them a cookbook with unique recipes. You can explore international cuisine, local heritage recipes, or even those 101 ways to cook a specific dish type of cookbooks.

Of course, there are also cookbooks written by famous chefs. If your friend or loved one is an admirer of these chefs, then this is an ideal gift. Plus points if you can get an autographed copy! You can also pair the cookbook with a nice stand. This way, the book can stay open while the chef prepares the ingredients and cooks the dish.

Gourmet Salts and Spices

For the average cook, salt is just salt. However, for a chef, salt, spices, and herbs are something more. Using the wrong kind of can change the flavor of a dish, while the right blend can enhance the taste. Consider buying salts and spices that already come in their own resealable containers and labels. This makes it much easier for chefs to prepare their mise en place.

The thing with being the chef is that, more often than not, they’re the ones that make people smile with their culinary creations. Hopefully, with these items, you can show them your appreciation of their delicious cooking!