13 Foodie Gifts Keen Home Cooks Will Actually Use

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What a blessed relief it is to have a giftee with a hobby or fandom. I love my friends who knit, read, or love theatre; selfishly, I find it makes buying them pressies much easier. 

Foodies, however, pose a little bit of a problem. What obscure condiments do they have already? What’s the right “taking up kitchen space” to “cool cooking gadget” ratio to achieve here? 

And do they really need another tea towel? 

Well, I don’t have answers for your specific foodie friend. But seeing as I’m one myself, I thought I’d share which ones I – an avid home cook with a truly tiny kitchen – covet. 

1) The Gestura spoon 

Yes, I know this is a £30 spoon, and I know that’s ridiculous. That’s why I’ve never bought it for myself – and also why it’s the perfect gift. 

This five-starred utensil is, simply put, perfect. It has a deep bowl which holds an exact tablespoon of either wet or dry ingredients. It has a narrow, pointed tip, ideal for drizzling sauces (and useful for reaching pan corners while stirring).

The super-long handle can reach deep into bubbling pots of gravy or coulis, too; and I can’t pretend its matte, tarnished look doesn’t help.

2) A cast-iron burger press 

Though smash burgers certainly are having their moment, that’s not the main reason I think this multitasker is such a great buy.

It’s helpful for searing everything from steaks to aubergine, takes up very little space, and is in that perfect “I keep meaning to buy one of these!” territory for many home cooks.

3) Sift by Nicola Lamb

Though released in 2024, I still recommend this covers-everything baking bible to everyone I know.

It explains not just how to make classic recipes, but also why bakers use the ingredients, methods, and ratios they do – teach a foodie friend to bake, and you’ll sneakily feed yourself treats for life. 

4) A rectangular pizza stone that fits right into their oven 

Usually, this’d go against my main gifting rule: try not to give someone a present much bigger than an A4 sheet of paper, especially if it’s a kitchen gift. 

But because this well-reviewed pizza stone slots right into their oven as if it’s an extra rack, it gets a pass (besides, it’s far smaller than a full-on pizza oven).

5) A Joseph Joseph folding scale

It’ll fit right into their cutlery drawer and has an easy-to-read LCD display – sold.

6) A massive cheesecloth

Even if they have cheesecloths, they probably need more; I’ve always got one in the wash, and this 5m-long one can be cut to the exact size they need. 

7) A Le Creuset salt and/or pepper mill 

Look, it’s a classic brand for a reason. I don’t have a particularly logical reason for wanting these so badly, aside from, well, look at them.

8) A spiked cutting board

If they regularly cook a roast, they’ll be familiar with the “sliding turkey” issue every home chef fears come Christmas time. 

This clever cooking board has reversible spikes that’ll hold their protein in place as you carve it – they can just turn them the other way when they want to use it for any other food.

9) A wine stopper and glass marker set

The first time I saw one of these at a party, I thought, “That’s the smartest thing I’ve ever seen”.

The stopper works, well, as you’d expect, while the differently-coloured clips attached to it fit onto the stems of your guests’ glasses, meaning there won’t be any “is this glass mine?” mix-ups.

10) The chicest wine bag we ever did see...

This offering, from Damson Madder, couldn’t be prettier. And because it’s reusable (and padded), they won’t have to worry about finding a flimsy bag to carry wine around to every new festive get-together.

11) ...And a pretty stunning apron, too

Also from “it girl” brand Damson Madder, this apron is our new fave.

12) These eye-wateringly cute salt and pepper shakers

They’re bound to be peased (sorry) with these.

13) Coole Swan Irish liqueur 

I, an Irish person, hated all forms of Irish cream liqueur until I tried this one. It’s lighter, less cloyingly sweet, and outright more drinkable than all the other ones I’ve drunk, and the vanilla and white chocolate flavours are delicious.