Gifts for people who love to cook in the UK

Start with what they cook most

A keen cook owns the basics. The useful gift is either a better version of a tool they use daily or an ingredient they would not buy themselves. Someone who grates ginger for every stir-fry will use the Endo Shoji grater weekly. Someone who seasons at the hob with one hand busy will use the Cole & Mason electric mill. Someone who owns the Ottolenghi books will cook from the spice box the week they get it.

Look at the kitchen too. A small flat with one cupboard suits the Joseph Joseph Nest set. A garden and a cook who has outgrown the barbecue suit the Ooni.

Under £25, and salts that get used

Most of this list sits under £25: the grater, the sesame grinder, the spice box, the Cornish salts and the Halen Môn jars. They make good add-ons to a bigger gift or a decent gift on their own for a colleague who cooks. The salt bundles are mostly sodium, so skip them for anyone watching it.

Classes and timing

School of Wok is in Covent Garden and its vouchers last only 6 months. The sourdough masterclass is in Cambridge. Bread Ahead's voucher covers online classes, so it works for a baker anywhere in the UK. Check where the cook lives before you book anything in person.

Order before December for Christmas. The electric mill arrives empty, so fill it before wrapping. If you are posting food abroad, check the import rules first.

Mistakes to avoid

A gadget that does one job is the classic miss, unless the cook asked for it. A knife is another risky buy, because cooks are fussy about weight and steel; a class or a good tool for prep is safer. When in doubt, buy something they will use up, like the spices or salts, and keep it simple. One good thing they use every week beats a hamper of jars that sit in the cupboard until spring.

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.