Finding the best birthday, Christmas or holiday gift for the house chefs in your life can be challenging.
Some are experienced professionals who have all the newest devices and tools; others are in the process of setting up a functional family kitchen circle. But no matter where your gift is, there is an item you can carry in your arsenal.
If you are looking for the best gift for the holidays, here are gift concepts from 8 professional chefs.
“This is one of my favorite gifts for those who love to cook. It shave, julienne and is a must-have cooking tool,” says Sophina Uong, chef and co-owner of Mister Mao in New Orleans. because it is compact and accelerates cooking time. Shaving vegetables also saves money; a little goes very far visually. And you can create a colorful and charming salad with many other ingredients and textures.
Uong’s favorite Christmas stocking is a bamboo spider strainer. “Very few people know what it is or what it does,” he says. Unlike a strainer, the spider strainer is the best tool for fishing for food such as gnocchi in hot water. “And [it’s] wonderful to use for frying, because it safely extracts everything that’s fried from the hot oil,” he says.
If you splurge, Uong loves the Vitamix blender.
“It’s a game-changer for the cooks in the house,” Uong says. “Take the leftovers from the mandolin and combine the vegetables to make gazpacho. It’s amazing for smoothies, porridge, soups and juices. . . you can do almost on this amazing device.
“During the holidays, I like to give gifts that other people wouldn’t buy for themselves while supporting local small businesses,” says Brian Landry, chef and owner of Marsh House in Nashville and Jack Rose in New Orleans.
He is a fan of Coutelier, a small cutlery in New Orleans. “One item I like to offer is this oyster knife. Making an oyster yourself and then devouring the tasty piece is a satisfying delight for the soul. his own knife to facilitate this delight makes it even better.
“I love giving away really fine, upscale cheeses during the holidays,” says Isaac Toups, chef and owner of Toups’ Meatry in New Orleans and writer of Chasing the Gator: Isaac Toups and New Cajun Cooking. relax and enjoy them yourself with a great bottle of wine. I’m a big fan of St. James Cheese Company. They ship everywhere, they have an amazing selection and the owners are adorable people. “
Neither do the accessories, Toups says.
“You can’t go over with those lovely wooden cheese knives,” he says.
“I like to offer a lovely apron to my house cook friends. Tilit is my favorite; they have main points like details in leather and a functional wallet that I like,” says John DeLucie, executive chef at Ainslie in New York.
“A sharp knife is safer and makes the preparation time more enjoyable,” says Jeff Osaka, owner and culinary director of Sushi-Rama, Osaka Ramen and The Empire Lounge.
“An invaluable tool for me is a set of suribachi and surikogi, known as mortar and maja,” says Joshua Lanning, executive chef of Woolly Bugger at Sankoty Lakes in Spring Bay, Illinois. “For other people who like to cook with new herbs or peanuts, this is the best gift. I have an awesome one with blue stripes from Toiro Kitchen that sits proudly on my counter at all times. It is a practical but beautiful tool. It looks like an art painting.
If you’re looking for a Christmas sock, Lanning loves the deep basket strainer with a wooden care from Umami Mart.
“It’s a bar tool, but it’s very versatile,” he says. “I have six. I use them in restaurants and at home. You can clean a cocktail. You can use it as a strainer. You can sprinkle powdered sugar. “with it, and you can make a scrambled drink with one end and then strain [the drink] with the basket. It’s a brilliant design.
“I love providing cookbooks, especially Missy Robbins’s,” says Gabriel Lopez, executive chef at Willa’s in Tampa, Florida. “It covers all the basics, from the staples and choice of ingredients to navigating in a small kitchen. I love the way it simply breaks, what should and shouldn’t be done to cook the best total chicken.
“‘Keeping it simple’ is their motto,” Lopez says, “and I agree. “
“One of the gifts I’ve earned and will give in the long run is Le Creuset’s circular mini casseroles,” says Drew Dzejak, executive chef of Citizen in Alys Beach, Florida. “They’re flexible for a variety of dishes, and add desserts or French onion soup. Their kitchen utensils are top quality and incredibly durable. They can be used for cooking indoors, outdoors, as well as for heating them and would be a wonderful addition to the collection of any cook in the house.
Andis 2020 Sauvignon Blanc (Sierra Foothills)
Sauvignon Blanc
$25
Score: 90
Thank you! We’ve won your email response and you’ll soon start receiving exclusive offers and news from Wine Enthusiast.
Thank you! We’ve won your email response and you’ll soon start receiving exclusive offers and news from Wine Enthusiast.