Gifts for people who love to cook in Australia

Pans and knives that last

The Solidteknics pan will outlast its owner if it is dried and oiled after each use. It is a poor choice for someone who puts everything in the dishwasher, and it is on pre-order, so check the date before a birthday.

The HexClad nakiri suits a cook who chops a lot of vegetables and already owns a chef's knife. Hand-wash it and dry it straight away. The small HexClad pan is the easier everyday gift, though it needs seasoning first and runs hot.

Sourdough and native flavours

For a sourdough baker, build a small kit: the Sourdough Mate jar for the starter, the You Knead banneton for shaping and the 4MyEarth bag for the finished loaf. Each is useful alone and better together.

The Gewürzhaus Australian Flavours pack and the Bush Spices bundle bring lemon myrtle, pepperleaf and saltbush into weeknight cooking, and the dukkah bundle doubles as an easy host gift. They also suit sending overseas, though spices and oils can hit customs rules elsewhere.

Classes and timing

Otao Kitchen is in inner Melbourne, emails the voucher straight away and lasts three years. The native foods class is held at one venue, so check where it is before buying.

Order physical gifts by late November. The Ooni ships at around 9 kg and suits a summer of backyard cooking. Anything on pre-order may not arrive before Christmas.

Mistakes to avoid

The usual miss is a single-use gadget, or a pan that needs care given to someone who wants to put everything in the dishwasher. Iron and carbon steel reward people who like looking after their gear and punish people who do not. If you are not sure which kind of cook they are, pick the spice packs, the bread bag or a class instead. Pantry gifts get used, and a class gives them an evening out with nothing new to store.

Questions people ask

What do you buy a cook who has everything?

Buy an ingredient or a consumable they will use up, or an upgrade to a tool they use daily. A Fly By Jing chili crisp set, Brightland oil and vinegar or Ottolenghi spices get used and do not take cupboard space. A cooking class is another good choice for someone with a full kitchen, as long as it is in their city.

Is a knife a good gift for a cook?

Yes, if you know how they treat knives. A Japanese blade like the Ichigo Ichie gyuto rewards careful hand-washing and a wooden board, and chips if abused. Someone who uses a dishwasher or cuts through bone is better served by a sharpener like the HORL 3 Pro, which improves the knives they already own.

What is a good cooking gift under $50?

The Burlap & Barrel cacio e pepe blend, Rancho Gordo chili sampler, Baking Steel dough container, Lodge 13 x 9 baking dish and Sourdough Mate jar all come in under or near $50. In the UK, the Endo Shoji grater, Cole & Mason electric mill and Ottolenghi spice box fit the same budget.

Are cooking class gift cards worth it?

They are worth it for someone who lives near the school and has free evenings or a free day. Check the expiry and schedule first: School of Wok vouchers last 6 months, Otao Kitchen's last 3 years, and The Chef Upstairs runs weeknight classes only. Cozymeal cards never expire, but a small card may not cover a class for two.