The 42 Best Splurge-Worthy Gifts for People Who Love to Cook

The Only Dutch Oven You’ll Ever Need

Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Round Dutch Oven

$420 $320 at Amazon $260 at Williams-Sonoma $336 at Sur La Table

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: High-end Dutch ovens are excellent investments. During our extensive review of almost two dozen Dutch ovens (with prices all over the board), we found the splurgier models, namely Le Creuset and Staub, to be the top performers. You can’t go wrong with either brand, but Le Creuset’s 5.5-quart size is just right for just about anything you’ll want to cook, and it comes in so. many. colors!

A Waffle Maker Worthy of Sunday Morning

All-Clad Belgian-Style Waffle Maker

$230 at Amazon $230 at Williams-Sonoma $400 at Macy's

For impeccable Belgian-style waffles, this is the waffle maker you need. (And we should know: we tested 20 different models). It heats up very quickly and turns out golden, crispy waffles with extra-deep nooks. Unlike less costly models, it doesn’t need to be flipped for even coloring, and it reheats speedily between batches. P.S.: if you prefer American-style waffles, Breville’s got a pick for you.

A Giant End-Grain Cutting Board

The Boardsmith Maple End-Grain Cutting Board

$360 at Amazon View on Theboardsmith.com

This handsome, extremely well-made board took home the top title in our wooden cutting boards test, and it’s also the personal favorite of many Serious Eats editors. It's built to last and you'd be hard-pressed to find a better-quality board—certainly worth the expense.

An Immersion Circulator for Perfect Results

Breville Joule Turbo Sous Vide

$246 at Amazon $250 $200 at Walmart $246 at Target

Not all sous vide machines are created equally, and we think the Breville Joule Turbo is the best model for most cooks. It has a sleek, streamlined design—with no on-screen display, the cooking process is controlled entirely through a smartphone app. To top it off, the Joule heats up water fast, is quiet, and has no problem maintaining a consistent temperature.

A Barista-Recommended Coffee Grinder

Baratza Virtuoso+ Coffee Grinder

$250 at Amazon $250 at Williams-Sonoma $250 at Sur La Table

This professionally-recommended coffee grinder produces a wider range of grinds than most home brewers will ever use (40!), but that’s part of the fun. With timed grind and pulse options, you’ll have greater control over your coffee from cup to cup.

The Best High-Speed Blender You’ll Ever Use

Vitamix Professional-Grade Blender

$550 $444 at Amazon View on Vitamix.com $644 at Newegg.com

The Vitamix 5200 has been our favorite blender for nearly 10 years. There are many reasons we love the 5200. Notably, its tall, narrow jar creates a vortex when the blades are in motion, making for the smoothest blends and purees. Simply put, it’s the best blender money can buy.

A Luxe Drip Coffee Maker

Ratio Six Coffee Maker

$339 at Amazon View on Ratiocoffee.com

Skip to the next if the giftee on your list prefers espresso. But the fact is, many cooks brew coffee at home using automatic drip machines. If you want to upgrade an old machine, you really can’t do better than the Ratio Six. It brews the best machine-made coffee we’ve tried.

An Espresso Machine that’ll Make (Almost) Everyone Happy

Breville Bambino Plus Espresso Machine

$500 at Amazon $500 at Williams-Sonoma $500 at Sur La Table

If you’re shopping for a career barista or simply the coffee obsessed, we’ll direct you to the La Marzocco Linea Micra (and warn you that it retails for almost $4,000). For most other espresso fans, the Breville Bambino Plus is a knockout. It’s an excellent choice for beginners and at-home enthusiasts because so much of the process is automated. Still, it provides a hands-on coffee experience—no pods here—with top-notch temperature consistency.

A Dozen-and-Done Spice Collection

Burlap and Barrel Fundamentals Collection

View on Burlapandbarrel.com

Burlap and Barrel is a restaurant industry favorite and a Serious Eats editor pick for meticulously sourced, incredibly flavorful spices. It’s easy to go overboard on their website, dreaming of ways to use their more creative blends and unique seasonings. But if you want streamlined success, all you have to do is pick up their 12-piece fundamentals set.

The Best Air Fryer Toaster Oven

Calphalon Performance Air Fry Convection Oven

$330 at Amazon $330 at Walmart View on Home Depot

Sometimes, multi-use appliances can fall short in one or more categories. During our review of air fryer toaster ovens, we were impressed by the Calphalon Air Fryer Oven. It has a precise timer, a standalone fry basket that can be set into the side grooves of the unit, and an intuitive user interface without distracting bells and whistles.

An Ice Cream Maker that Rivals Your Favorite Scoop Shop

Breville The Smart Scoop Ice Cream Maker

$500 at Amazon $500 at Williams-Sonoma $500 at Sur La Table

This undeniably pricey ice cream maker costs hundreds more than others, but it has a compressor for self-freezing capabilities and offers fully automated churning with 12 hardness levels. We enjoyed the ability to choose between a range of textures and ice cream styles. It works fast and has a “precool” option for even speedier ice cream.

An Enviable Pizza Oven

Ooni Karu 16 Multi-Fuel Pizza Oven

$799 $649 at Amazon $650 at Williams-Sonoma View on Ooni.com

Here’s one of the best gifts for pizza nerds: Ooni’s gorgeous, multi-fuel outdoor oven. We tested all of Ooni’s pizza ovens, and while there are pros and cons to each model, we think the Karu 16 is an excellent buy. It’s Ooni’s most advanced oven and can run on charcoal, wood, or gas, making it ideal for a variety of cooking scenarios and setups. There’s a handy hatch in the back for adding more charcoal or wood, and it gets screaming hot: It cooks pies in under two minutes.

A Stand Mixer Pick for Most Home Cooks

KitchenAid 5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer

$450 at Amazon $380 at Williams-Sonoma $450 at Target

KitchenAid makes some of the best stand mixers—and our tests confirm it. This tilt-head model comes in a range of colors and is powerful enough to mix up most anything—except, maybe, double batches of super-sticky bread dough. But this is a niche quibble!

Steak Knives That’ll Make You Think Company’s Coming

Laguiole en Aubrac 4-Piece Steak Knife Set

$350 at Amazon $480 at Williams-Sonoma View on Laguioleenaubracshop.com

These knives have a reputation! The style and aesthetic of French-made Laguiole are often replicated, so it can be hard to tell the real from the dupes. However, Laguiole en Aubrac is a genuine producer of these sleek steak knives. This set is made with solid wood handles and has a nice heaviness that lends itself to formal dining and the smooth edge of the blade allows you to slice easily through steak, rather than sawing it.

A High-Quality Stainless Steel Cookware Set That Does It All

All Clad Stainless Bonded Cookware Set

$700 at Amazon $700 at Williams-Sonoma $700 at Sur La Table

You can pay less for smaller, lower-quality cookware sets. However, our review found this robust set from All-Clad outperformed the competition. Plus, with 8- and 10-inch fry pans, a 2-quart saucepan with a lid, a 3-quart saué pan with a lid, and an 8-quart stockpot with a lid, you get a lot for your money.

A Stellar Juicer

Omega Low-Speed Juicer

$400 at Amazon $475 at Walmart $480 at Home Depot

A juicer is a very specific type of present for a very specific type of person. But if your giftee is the juicing type, it’s a sure bet they’ll love a high-quality masticating-style juicer. When we tested juicers, we were seriously impressed by the amount of juice per piece of produce this model extracted.

A Unique Option for Serious Bread Bakers

Brod & Taylor Sourdough Home

$119 at Amazon $120 at Williams-Sonoma $120 at Sur La Table

We can hear the haters now: Bakers have been maintaining sourdough starters for centuries without techy gadgets. Sure, but that won’t stop us from recommending Brod & Taylor’s clever sourdough “house.” This tidy temperature-controlled unit allows you to keep your starter at the optimal temperature and was designed with Maurizio Leo, a professional baker and cookbook author. We also liked the Goldie by Sourhouse starter proofer as it looks like decor sitting on your countertop.

A Kamado-Style Smoker to Set Any BBQ Enthusiast’s Heart Ablaze

Kamado Joe Konnected Joe Digital Charcoal Grill and Smoker

$1,699 at Home Depot $1,699 at Wayfair View on Perigold.com

When we tested the Kamado Joe Konnected Joe, we were impressed by its performance and versatility. Beyond a helpfully large temperature range (225˚F to 700˚F), the Konnected Joe has an automatic electric start mechanism that lights coals without the use of a chimney. Tech enthusiasts will also appreciate the app connectivity and easy-to-use digital display.

An Impressive Countertop Composter

Vitamix FoodCycler FC-50

$400 $299 at Amazon $400 at Williams-Sonoma $400 at Sur La Table

Thanks to municipal programs and drop-off sites, composting is easier than ever. But if you don’t want to maintain a traditional compost site, or your city doesn’t have a composting program, all is not lost—Vitamix has something for you in its line of products. We tested the Vitamix FoodCycler over the course of six months and found it was worth the price—easily (and quickly!) turning food scraps into compost.

An Iconic Dinnerware Set

Made In The Tabletop Set

View on Madeincookware.com

This England-made porcelain set topped our dinnerware review. It has a lifetime warranty and a one-year no-chip guarantee and comes with everything you need for great dinner parties and everyday dining: dinner, appetizer, and bread-and-butter plates; entrée bowls and side bowls, plus a roomy serving platter.

Stunning Wine Glasses

Zalto Denk'Art Universal Wine Glass

$156 at Amazon View on Wine Enthusiast View on Themanufactory.com

The name of these glasses says it all, doesn’t it? This set of two crystal wine glasses is hand-blown and incredibly striking. With long, elegant stems and an almost weightless feel, they are surprisingly comfortable to hold and create a big visual impact without drawing too much attention away from what’s actually in the glass.

A Stunning Wine Glass Duo

Big Night Wine Glasses

View on Bignightbk.com

These wine glasses are like baby goblets—and they’re dang delightful to drink wine from. Their colorful stems and bases add to their appeal. And while they are wine glasses, we certainly would be happy sipping a martini out of them.

A Delicious Olive Oil for Drizzling

Frankies 457 Extra-Virgin Olive Oil

$39 at Amazon View on Frankies457.com View on Wholefoodsmarket.com

There’s no shortage of luxe olive oil brands vying for your purchase. Cut through the noise and pick up a bottle of Frankies 457: It’s worth the price tag. This oil is sold by Frankies Spuntino restaurant in Brooklyn, and we appreciate that the olives’ origin is clearly listed on the bottle and its pour spout.

A Naturally Nonstick Pan that’ll Last and Last

Mauviel Nonstick Frying Pan

$95 at Amazon View on Mauviel-usa.com

Perhaps less popular than cast iron, carbon steel pans are worth a look. When seasoned, they’re naturally nonstick and can handle extremely high temperatures without warping or degrading—and are lighter than their cast iron cousins.

A High-Quality Molcajete

Masienda Molcajete

View on Masienda.com

Masienda's molcajete is made from volcanic rock (most low-quality molcajetes use concrete). We love the textured interior, which is ideal for grinding, pulverizing, and smashing ingredients.

A Shaved Ice Maker Attachment

KitchenAid Shave Ice Attachment

$100 $75 at Amazon $75 at Target $100 at Sur La Table

If your gift recipient already owns a KitchenAid stand mixer, get them this shaved ice attachment. It quickly makes fluffy, pillowy shaved ice that's equally at home topped with flavored syrup and eaten with a spoon, in a cocktail, or as a bed for shucked oysters.

The Absolute Best Kitchen Scale

OXO Stainless Steel Food Scale

$56 $50 at Amazon $56 at Williams-Sonoma $62 at Walmart

This is the kitchen scale we've recommended for more than five years and it's a must-have for any cook or baker. Measuring flour, sugar, and the like precisely? No problem. Perfectly portioning meatballs? Absolutely. The OXO is incredibly accurate and has a pull-out face so you can read it even if your biggest mixing bowl's on the platform.

A Multi-Purpose Panini Press

Breville Sear and Press Countertop Electric Grill

$200 at Amazon $200 at Williams-Sonoma $200 at Sur La Table

This panini press emerged victorious from our tests, easily making crispy, melty sandwiches. It's even compatible with waffle plates.

A Pretty, Sturdy Magnetic Knife Strip

Jonathan Alden Magnetic Wooden Knife Bar Holder Strip

$68 at Amazon $54 at Etsy

You'd be surprised by how many magnetic knife strips aren't magnetic enough (falling knives, eep!). We loved this one from Jonathan Alden, which looks handsome and easily and securely holds eight knives.

The Most Accurate Instant-Read Thermometer

ThermoWorks Thermapen ONE

View on Thermoworks.com View on Kingarthurbaking.com

Accuracy is the name of the game when it comes to instant-read thermometers. And there's no model more spot-on than the ThermoWorks Thermapen ONE. We won't go into the ways instant-read thermometers will help make you a better cook. For that, head here.

The Easiest Wine Opener

OXO Vertical Corkscrew with Removable Foil Cutter

$45 $43 at Amazon $45 at Oxo $45 at Kohls.com

While $50 on a wine opener might feel like, uh, a lot, there is no wine opener easier to use than the OXO. It requires just a push and a pull to remove a cork and even has a built-in foil cutter.

A Natural Wine Subscription

Mysa Natural Wine Club Gift

View on Mysa.wine

Any wine subscription makes a fantastic gift—and one that keeps on giving as they explore new bottles and pairings. We love the natural wine subscription from Mysa, which has a range of classic to funky wines thoughtfully curated by a sommelier.

The Best Electric Kettle

Fellow Corvo EKG Electric Kettle

$164 at Amazon $165 at Williams-Sonoma $165 at Sur La Table

For making tea and immersion-style coffee brewing methods (like a French press!), an electric kettle is essential. Better yet is a variable temperature electric kettle like this one from Fellow, which allows you to set the temp down to the degree (anywhere from 135 to 212°F).

The Best Wok

Yosukata Carbon Steel Wok

$65 $60 at Amazon View on Yosukata.com

Heat-responsive, easy to season, and with two handles (one wooden main one and the other a helper handle), this Yosukata wok is our top pick. It's smooth, slick, and built to last.

An Outdoor Fire Pit

Solo Stove Ranger 2.0

$199 at Amazon $199 at Walmart $200 at Home Depot

We actually love cooking on a Solo Stove (add in a grill top for live-fire cooking fun!). Plus, when not being used to make dinner, it's a truly lovely, nearly smokeless outdoor fire pit.

The Best Infrared Thermometer

Thermoworks Hi-Temp Industrial IR w/Circle Laser (IR-IND)

View on Thermoworks.com

For the pizza person in your life, grab ‘em the best infrared thermometer. They’ll never have to guess whether their stone or steel or outdoor oven is at the right temp for leopard-spotted pies ever again.

A Dish for Tinned Fish

Big Night Tinned Fish

View on Bignightbk.com

A dish shaped like a tin of fish for tinned fish? Take our money cause we’re buying 10 of them. One of two of these dishes would be a perfect dish paired with, uh, some nice tinned fish.

Really Nice Cocktail Napkins

Big Night Cocktail Napkins

View on Bignightbk.com

High-quality, pricey napkins are the kind of thing that we might not buy ourselves but would be more than happy to receive as a gift. These ones have olives on them! Adorable! We also like the wine ones.

An Adorable Butter Warmer

Food52 x Dansk Købenstyle Saucepan

$55 at Food52

For browning butter and making hot cocoa, this itty bitty butter warmer is functional, but also highly adorable. It comes in a bunch of colors and the lid acts as a trivet.

Really Great Wagyu

Vermont Wagyu Subscription Box

View on Vermontwagyu.com

For the beef fan, a big ol’ box of the very best Wagyu around will be incredibly appreciated and readily consumed. We loved this subscription box when we tested it. Not only was the product the highest quality but each and every item was packed with the utmost care.

Oban 14

$87 at Drizly $105 at Wine.com View on Totalwine.com

Excellent whisky won’t go unappreciated. We described Oban this way here: “This maritime whisky (just a tiny bit of brine here) has a whisper of smoke to it. It has notes of ginger, biscuit, and cereal, as well as some wonderful citrus and oaky vanilla.”

Beautiful Cups and Saucers

Pilivuyt Porcelain Cup & Saucer

$30 at Williams-Sonoma

Tea? Coffee? A cappuccino? There’s nothing an elegant cup and saucer won’t improve. If we were giving these as a gift, we’d opt for a set of four. You can also include a coffee subscription for extra bonus points.