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Shopping for Christmas gifts for chefs and serious home cooks can be a tall order. They've probably already got the best kitchen gear for chefs and the best kitchen gadgets, but there's undoubtedly still some room for surprising or spoiling them this festive season.
With that in mind, we've rounded up some of the best gifts for chefs, from the unusual, like Josh Niland's fish weight and food inspired scents, to the big and bold, like an outdoor grill or pizza oven. Take a look and surprise the chef in your life this Christmas.
Christmas Gifts for Chefs
Big Green Egg
With outdoor cooking all the rage, has your favourite chef got the kit they need? Go as big, or as small as you like, with a Big Green Egg, they range from dinky to XL, to fit on your balcony or take over your backyard, and come with a whole range of accessories for grilling, roasting, smoking and baking.
Josh Niland fish weight
From the master of fish comes this stainless-steel press designed to sit on top of fish in a pan, allowing for even cooking and crispy skin — what's more, it doubles up nicely as a quesedilla and grilled-cheese press.
Food dehydrator
Dehydrating is fun for all, and if your chef hasn't discovered the countertop Magic Mill with dishwasher-safe trays and a built-in digital thermostat and timer, give them the gift of a dehydrator this Christmas.
Chef socks
Christmas socks? Say no more. Here are all the funky and functional socks that your chef friends need to keep cool and comfy this year. Find out more.
Leather knife roll
Most chefs already have their inner circle of trusted knives. But, how about something smart to pack them up to travel on holiday, like this Tuscania leather knife roll.
Great pair of kitchen scissors
Most chefs love a great pair of scissors, like these Joyce Chen scissors, suitably refined to cut up herbs and strong enough to cut through fish bones. With scissors both durable and sharp, what more could they wish for in their Christmas stocking?
Outdoor pizza oven
Go for an Italian made outdoor pizza oven to really crank up your chef's pizza game. A home pizza oven will ensure you'll join in the fun too.
Microplane spice grinder
Having really fresh spices is a game-changer, and you can't get much fresher than grinding your own spices, like nutmeg. With this powerhouse gadget on hand, chefs will have the freshest spices when they need them most.
Chef shoes
Tired chef shoes? Then Christmas is the perfect excuse to invest in some new shoes for the chef in your life, and help them put their better foot forward. Take a look at our round-up some of the best chef shoes.
Spa treatment
Look after your chef friends with a little TLC and some spa downtime. Go for a deep muscle-tissue massage to ease away the strain of the kitchen or a rejuvenating intravenous (IV) nutrient therapy, the Elixir of life.
Foot and hand treatments
Hands and feet tend to take a hammering in kitchens. Why not give them a moment with the ultimate pedicure for men at The Refinery or a nourishing hand treatment for female chefs at Margaret Dabbs.
Polka pants
Inject some style into your favourite female chef's wardrobe with Polka Pants. They're kicking out a range of tailored trousers for women in black, houndstooth, white or polka dots (the signature style), made for life in a busy kitchen.
Food-inspired scents
The chef in your life might have everything - but have they got a food scented fragrance? The likes of chocolate, vanilla, fresh herbs and fruits - even Champagne, brandy and caviar - can now be found in bottles, ready to dab behind the ears on a night off. Take your pick of zesty orange, pepper or coffee and more or even a basil inspired bath range.
Best books for chefs
For any chef bookworm that hasn't yet read Anthony Bourdain's last book, this is a must. Find out more and take a look at our roundup of the best food books for 2021 for more ideas.
Diaspora Co's massala dabba
For the ultimate massala dabba, Diaspora Co's ethically produced hand-spun brass vessel comes with seven of Diaspora’s spices, including the original pragati turmeric, baraka cardamom, and the new nagauri cumin.
Electric pour over kettle
If you know a chef who's fuelled by tea or coffee, give them the right tools to do the job, like the ultimate pour over kettle, for the perfect cup of brew. There's a whole range to choose from for every budget. Here's a pick of some of the best.
Modernist Pizza
Got the pizza oven? Then it's time for your chef to geek out on the definitive guide to pizza in this mighty edition from Modernist Cuisine.
Nathan Myhrvold / The Cooking Lab, LLC.
Garums from Copenhagen's Noma
What do you get the chef who has tasted everything? How about a bottle of garum from the 'World's Best Restaurant', Noma. Find out more here.
Chef T-shirt
Who doesn't like an amusing T-shirt? Especially this one, that spells out exactly what a chef does in literal terms, for anyone that didn't get the memo.
Professional online courses
Upskill in the new year. With so many courses available online, perhaps your chef is ready to acquire some new skills come January?
Photo: Unsplash
