What are some unique food-related gift ideas?

Delicious ingredients and useful cooking essentials are a surefire gift option for any food-obsessed person, but if you're looking for something unique, why not gift them with an experience? Sign them up for a cooking class at a locally-owned restaurant, take them on a food-tasting tour, or even go fruit picking at a nearby farm. Don't be afraid to get creative!

What can I give to someone who wants to learn how to cook?

Getting comfortable in the kitchen is all about learning the basics. So giving your newly food-loving friend a cookbook that teaches simple yet tasty recipes is an excellent option. You can also consider giving them essential cooking tools—including knives, a cutting board, or a new stovetop cookware set. Think about the things they'll need and use every day.

The 25 Best Gifts for Foodies of 2023

We all know the couple that loves to cook on weeknights, the gal pals who adore baking on Sundays, and the guys who basically live next to the grill during the summer. They seem to have everything stocked in the pantry and surely know their way around trendy kitchen gadgets. So, when it comes to presents, what should you get for the culinary-obsessed?

When searching for the perfect food-related gift, consider the types of foods the recipient loves to eat and cook. If they're always whipping up Italian feasts, a homemade pasta maker or an array of authentic sauces will suffice. It's also worth considering their skill level in the kitchen. If they've just recently taken an interest in cooking, gifting them with basic cooking tools or a cookbook to help them learn is sure to win them over.

Truffle butter, bakeware, pasta delivery, and more—if you’re looking for the best gifts for the foodies in your life, you’ve come to the right spot. We’ve researched and rounded up some of our all-time favorite foodie gifts, from best-of kitchen basics like a great cast-iron pan to delicious experiences like a pesto-tasting kit. A few of our top picks are the Circle City Design Co. Personalized Cutting Board, the Sfoglini Seasonal Pasta Subscription Box, and the Le Creuset Signature Enameled Cast Iron Round Oven.

Read on for the best gifts for foodies.

Our Top Picks

Circle City Design Co. Personalized Cutting Board at Etsy

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Uncommon Goods Sweet and Savory Hot Sauce Duo at Uncommon Goods

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Weber Smokey Mountain Charcoal/Wood Smoker at Ace Hardware

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Msmcreationsindia Leather Knife Roll at Etsy

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Sfoglini Seasonal Pasta Subscription Box at Food52

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Sunbuds Personalized Family Recipe Cookbook at Zazzle.com

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Global Gardens Dynamic Dinner Duo at Globalgardensonline.com

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Cuisinart 6-Piece Bakeware Set at Amazon

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Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Round Dutch Oven at Amazon

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Uncommon Goods Automatic Pan Stirrer with Timer at Uncommon Goods

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Circle City Design Co. Personalized Cutting Board

Etsy

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Personalize this cutting board with your foodie’s name, favorite word, or special date for a sentimental addition to the kitchen. It's something that they'll both use and proudly display.

Courtesy of Uncommon Goods

View On Uncommon Goods

Handcrafted in NYC by Leilani Kali Rivers and John Hercel, these hot sauces will steal the show at your next family dinner. This pair contains "Herbal Alchemy", a fiery blend of scotch bonnet peppers and spices, and the mango, pineapple and habanero blend, "Sweet Heat".

Weber Smokey Mountain Charcoal/Wood Smoker

Courtesy of Ace Hardware

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Take your barbecue up a notch with an at-home smoker. A built-in lid thermometer helps you read when that pulled pork or smoked salmon is ready to be served.

Courtesy of Etsy

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If you’ve ever seen Top Chef, you know a leather chef knife roll is a professional must-have. This gorgeous one is handmade and can hold up to 11 knives or other cooking utensils.

Sfoglini Seasonal Pasta Subscription Box.

Food52

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Italian food fans will relish in a regular pasta delivery. Two boxes of this Brooklyn-made pasta arrive to your door each month, including a classic variety and seasonal shape.

Courtesy of Zazzle

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Spend time amassing your recipes with Zazzle’s personalized family recipe cookbook. It’s a three-ring binder that allows you to add your favorite dishes, notes, and photos as you find them.

Courtesy of Global Gardens

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One thing you never buy for yourself? Fancy balsamic vinegar. Dress up everything from salads to cheese plates with this fruit-infused balsamic vinegar duo—featuring a Pear Ginger Dark Balsamic and Apricot Golden Balsamic.

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One can never have enough bakeware, especially if you’re planning to keep that cookie jar full. This set is made of heavy-duty steel that ensures heat will be evenly distributed on all your cakes, muffins, and more.

4.8

Le Creuset 5.5-Quart Dutch Oven and Staub 5.5-Quart Dutch Oven, Marseille

Amazon

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Le Creuset makes the best dutch ovens on the planet—there’s a reason every major kitchen has one. Use it for all sorts of dishes like coq au vin and jambalaya. No matter how much you bang it up, it will still look pretty sitting on the range.

View On Uncommon Goods

No one has time to stir the fancy sauce in the pan—there’s too much wine to drink. That’s why this automatic pan stirrer, complete with timer, makes the perfect kitchen gadget gift.

4.6

Breville

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It’s time to pull out the smoking gun. Breville’s handy device allows you to smoke anything from packaged meat to cocktails. Hint—try smoking a Negroni (it's amazing).

Wusthof Classic 20-Piece Knife Block Set

Courtesy of Sur la Table

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You can’t be a serious foodie without a set of serious knives. Case in point— Wusthof’s complete set contains every knife you’ll need in the kitchen, made of high-carbon steel that will last forever.

Anova Culinary Sous Vide Precision Cooker

Amazon

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The secret to perfectly tender meat and seafood? Sous vide cooking. Try it at home with the Anova system, which works with any pot in your kitchen and connects to your phone via a mobile app. You can check on your food while you’re out on your terrace sipping aperitifs.

Ballard Designs

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These napkin rings may seem like a simple gift, but it's something your favorite chef will be able to use for every meal. Bonus points for giving these leather rings alongside beautiful stonewashed linens.

Food52

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Pesto is a much bigger category than you ever knew. This tasting set includes 12 varieties such as artichoke lemon, kale and parmesan, sweet pumpkin, and walnut sage. Taste buds will explode.

Amazon

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Time for fun kitchen tools. Try out an air fryer to whip up favorites like fish n’ chips, fried chicken, and french fries with less oil. It’s healthier and easier to clean up too.

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Instant Pot Duo 6-Quart 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker

Amazon

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Instant Pots sure have their fans, and no foodie household is complete without the all-in-one cooking device. It will change the way you view weeknight dinner.

Courtesy of Amazon

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This cookbook features 130 recipes designed specifically for a pair. Serving sizes come in twos and many of the dishes have the makings to become weeknight go-to's.

Swissmar-lugano-9-piece-cheese-fondue-set

Amazon

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We don’t know anyone who passes up the opportunity to dip fruit, potatoes, and bread into a hot, steaming bowl of cheese. That’s why this fondue set is, well, perfect.

Amazon

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This handy kitchen guide has everything you love about the iconic six-volume set of cooking magic. Everything is distilled into a handy hardback with an easy-to-use, spiral-bound manual.

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Any serious at-home chef will tell you there is no substitute for a cast-iron skillet—and the best in the business is Lodge. Sear meats perfectly, bake frittatas and make perfect pancakes with this heritage piece.

Courtesy of Uncommon Goods

View On Uncommon Goods

Spice up Monday night dinner in more ways than one—his foodie dice leaves the meal inspiration up to the universe and just may push you out of your cooking comfort zone.

Courtesy of Sur la Table

View On Sur La Table

The mineral-rich salt block enhances the flavors of anything cooked on it, especially seafood. Add it to your grill for scallops or use it to flash sear tuna.

Courtesy of Urbani

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What makes bread and butter into an out-of-this-world blissful experience? One word: truffles. This pack contains both white and black truffle butter blends—your Italian food aficionado will be in heaven.

Amazon

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Show some pride with these cheese boards shaped after your home state. They also make festive serving platters on Independence Day.

What to Look for in Gifts for Foodies

Tastes and Preferences

Whether they love Japanese cuisine or prefer grilled American classics, it's important to consider the types of foods your gift recipient likes to cook and eat most. For example, if they love trying every new Italian restaurant in town, give them the Sfoglini Seasonal Pasta Subscription Box. Do they love cupcakes and freshly baked bread? They'll be excited to receive the Cuisinart 6-Piece Classic Bakeware Set.

Skill Level

Maybe they're a foodie who loves to eat, but they're not necessarily an experienced home chef. So you'll want to consider their skill level in the kitchen before gifting them with high-tech cooking utensils or devices. You can never go wrong with the basics, so opt for tools that can be used on a weekly basis. That's why we recommend the Wusthof Classic Twenty Piece Block Set and the Lodge Pre-Seasoned Skillet.

FAQ

What are some unique food-related gift ideas?

Delicious ingredients and useful cooking essentials are a surefire gift option for any food-obsessed person, but if you're looking for something unique, why not gift them with an experience? Sign them up for a cooking class at a locally-owned restaurant, take them on a food-tasting tour, or even go fruit picking at a nearby farm. Don't be afraid to get creative!
What can I give to someone who wants to learn how to cook?

Getting comfortable in the kitchen is all about learning the basics. So giving your newly food-loving friend a cookbook that teaches simple yet tasty recipes is an excellent option. You can also consider giving them essential cooking tools—including knives, a cutting board, or a new stovetop cookware set. Think about the things they'll need and use every day.

Why Trust Brides

Brides contributor Stephanie Cain is a journalist and content strategist in the lifestyle space, who has 14 years of experience as a magazine editor, digital producer, content marketer, and public speaker. She is also a sommelier accredited by the Court of Master Sommeliers.

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