Small appliances and other unique kitchen items make a perfect gift for foodies. Why? Sure, they might appreciate a night out every now and then to eat at a fancy restaurant. But they may also love exploring cooking and baking at home. They can discover new flavours and master complex recipes. Experimenting with exciting kitchen gadgets can help. Once a foodie tries their hand at making something themself, they get a better appreciation for the effort that goes into particular dishes. If you’re looking for good gifts for foodies, consider everything from smart cooking gadgets to must-have kitchen appliances. As a self-professed foodie myself, I recommend these thoughtful items as ones that would make great gifts for the foodie on your list.
Must-have kitchen appliances to wow any foodie
There are must-have appliances any foodie should add to their repertoire. Ideally, these are ones that are versatile and multi-functional, able to handle multiple tasks in one. Gifts for foodies can include any of these noted items.
KitchenAid Professional bowl-lift stand mixer
I have one of these stand mixers in Empire Red in my kitchen and have been using it for years. From mixing to whipping and kneading dough, it’s a creative cook’s dream. It’s not only great for basic tasks like mixing, it’s handy for more adventurous ones, too. Use the optional accessories to make homemade pasta, stuff sausages, and create eye-catching salads with spiralized vegetables.
Cuisinart 8-cup food processor
If you want to cook like a pro, a food processor is an essential tool for reducing prep. It’s also useful for creating uniformly sliced items, like vegetables or scalloped potatoes. Crush nuts for a pecan-crusted halibut or shred fresh cheese for a homemade mac & cheese side dish. Impress with homemade dips and dressings, too. This one is powerful, holds a lot, and is compact and easy to clean.
Breville Barista Express espresso machine
Any foodie knows that a fantastic meal needs to be topped off with an equally fabulous dessert and espresso or cappuccino. With this espresso machine, the built-in grinder means you can use fresh coffee beans. These, by the way, come in handy for baking, too, like for a tiramisu or indulgent espresso brownies. As a semi-automatic machine, it’s the perfect option for both novices and pros.
Essential cooking gadgets & tools every home cook needs
As you start to cook more and more, you’ll be able to discern between the kitchen gadgets you don’t really need, the ones that solve a problem that doesn’t exist, and the ones that are incredibly helpful, like these three. These all make great gifts for foodies.
Chef Pomodoro bench scraper
A bench scraper like this one is useful for so many tasks. You can clean off a cutting board while rolling dough. Pick up excess food scraps for easy disposal. And cut things like homemade potato gnocchi or pizza dough. It’s one of those invaluable tools that you don’t quite understand until you have one. You’ll realize how much more efficient and multi-purpose it is compared to a basic knife.
KitchenAid pasta roller & cutter stand mixer attachment
Working hand in hand with most KitchenAid stand mixers, this simple attachment makes it easy to roll homemade pasta dough. You can get it wafer-thin then cut the large noodle to make homemade linguini or spaghetti. Or use the wide and flat noodles for lasagna. Nothing compares to the taste of fresh pasta, and this gadget simplifies the process, cutting down on time and effort.
Zwilling Four Star 8-inch chef’s knife
The most crucial tool in a home chef’s kitchen is their chef’s knife. It is used to slice through everything from meat and poultry to vegetables and dough. If you have a good one, slicing through everything will be like slicing through butter. It’s worth the investment but most people balk at the high cost of a premium chef’s knife. A great chef’s knife like this durable steel one with an ergonomic handle is a good gift. They’ll likely never buy it for themselves.
Smart kitchen devices for the high-tech foodie
Newer Gen-Z cooks love to leverage the latest and greatest technology available to them. And some of the newest products allow for replicating restaurant quality dishes without all the manual work.
Breville Joule oven air fryer pro with connected App
This space-saving multifunctional device allows you to cook using multiple modes, like air fry, broil, and dehydrate. It also guides you through the cooking process, step-by-step via the app. This is ideal for those just starting out. It has smart presets that make cooking a breeze and works with voice control, too. There’s even a pizza pan for those who want to experiment with homemade pies.
Breville Joule Turbo Sous Vide
Sous vide is a French cooking technique that allows you to cook low and slow. The method retains all the nutrients and vitamins for everything from meat to fish and vegetables. You also get a wonderful texture with melt-in-your-mouth dishes. The best part about this gift for foodies? It’s almost effortless, yet they can serve dishes they’d typically find in a fine dining restaurant.
Ninja CREAMi Deluxe 11-in-1 ice cream maker
Homemade ice cream is the perfect complement to a dessert like a homemade pie, or on its own served in a fancy dish to “wow” your guests. This machine makes ice cream, gelato, even slushies and Italian ice. Your foodie will love the option to customize flavours, add mix-ins, and adjust based on dietary restrictions.
Barware & cocktail sets for aspiring mixologists
Foodies love cocktails as well, which are integral parts of any meal. Whether to kick off the appetizer phase or end an incredible dinner, you can be your own bartender at home with the right barware. As a good gift for foodies, they’ll love adding these to their bar cart.
Danesco Mojito bar set
Even the worst gardener can grow mint in their backyard. It doesn’t require any upkeep, spreads rapidly if not contained, and pops back up every year. Mojitos are a refreshing summer cocktail that foodies will love impressing guests with. This set has everything you need to make them. This includes a muddler for extracting juice from the leaves, a measured shot glass, tall mixing spoon, and stainless-steel straws. The inside of the gift box even has a recipe to follow for amateur mixologists.
Maison Concepts stainless steel 5-piece shaker set
Channel your inner bartender with this shaker set for mixing all types of cocktails, from homemade spicy margaritas to strawberry daiquiris. They’ll love it because the included beverage cooler can be used on its own, too. Chill a few beers or bottle of white wine, keeping them cold for hours.
Bartesian Professional Cocktail Machine
A solid addition to any home bar, they’ll feel like a pro bartender with this machine. It mixes classic and unique cocktails from pods, just like a single cup coffee maker. Add your favourite spirits to the glass bottles, insert a pod of your choice, press a button and voila! Instant mixed drink. Shhh, no one needs to know, nor will they be able to tell, that you didn’t whip it up from scratch.
Perfect picks for wine lovers
A fancy dinner and a bottle of wine go together like peanut butter and jelly. For someone who loves to showcase their latest selection of cabernets and chardonnays every time you visit, they’ll appreciate these thoughtful gifts for foodies.
LAV Set of 6 Gaia stemless wine glasses
Stemless wine glasses are practical and ideal for a crisp glass of pinot at home or a picnic since they’ll fit nicely in a basket. This set comes with six, which can be conveniently washed in the dishwasher. The low centre of gravity makes them more stable and thus less prone to spills. The rolled edges let connoisseurs swirl the wine without spillage either. Thanks to the classic Burgundian silhouette, your cabernet will have plenty of room to breathe. This will impart all the flavours as you savour every sip.
ZWILLING Predicat decanter
Any wine aficionado knows that the best wines need to “breathe,” exposed to air before they fully “open up.” This allows you to soak in all the deliciousness, as it was intended when made at the vineyard. They’ll love having this decanter to pour a bottle into while entertaining. It’s far classier than refilling glasses right from the bottle and it looks elegant on a serving tray with glasses.
Ivation wine aerator and dispenser spout
I love to indulge in a glass of wine with dinner at home. We have an aerator and dispenser spout like this one that works like a dream. It ensures a clean pour without any drippage. But it also infuses the wine with air as it passes through the aerator. This means you can taste all the fruity, floral, or earthy notes when you sip.
Outdoor grills & BBQ accessories for the grill master
Every household has a self-professed grill master. While they swear all they need is a grill, a spatula, and some tongs, there are plenty of accessories and items that they’ll appreciate once they have them.
Traeger Pro Series 22 wood pellet grill & smoker
So, they already have a barbecue they have been using for years. They swear that all the leftover bits of food they scrape off is what adds the flavour to each cook. But they can acquire new grill build-up with a more advanced grill that can handle smoking, too. Traeger is one of the best brands in the business, and this model is affordable yet premium. It can accommodate up to 24 burgers on its cooking surface. It even has a warming rack for sauces and sides. If they want to keep their old barbecue, they can fire up its grill for burgers and dogs while smoking a brisket or racks of ribs in this baby.
Ooni Koda 12-inch propane pizza oven
People who have used this pizza oven swear by it. It’s gas-powered and can bake a pie in a minute…seriously. Start with homemade or store-bought dough, sauce, cheese, and your preferred toppings. Toss the creation in and you have dinner in no time. Sure, you can technically make pizza on a smoker or barbecue. But it will take longer, and you won’t get the same bubbly, crispy crust. Plus, this unit is portable and easy to use. It comes with a hose for easily connecting to the tank so you can cook virtually anywhere.
Cuisinart CISB-111 smashed burger press
A foodie has probably graduated from store-bought burgers to making their own patties. It’s simple to do with high-quality ground beef (or fresh beef you grind at home!), salt, pepper, and other desired additions. A great cut of meat, of course, doesn’t need anything more than a dash of salt to bring out its flavour. This heavy-weight press helps you smash the patty into a perfect 6-inch shape. The raised edge helps lock in the juices and fat. Every burger will be melt-in-your-mouth delicious and fit perfectly in the fresh bun.
Specialty cookware to elevate their culinary adventures
The most adventurous cooks love to experiment with all types of dishes and will appreciate gifts for foodies that let them do just that. There is no limit to their culinary adventures. There’s lots of specialty cookware to help them try things they never have yet at home.
Staub Tajine
Do they love to experiment with dishes from around the world? They might appreciate a tajine, a piece of cookware native to North Africa. It is used to prepare everything from vegetables to meat. The conical design helps lock in aromas and flavours, leading to dishes that are bursting with flavour. Made of cast iron, this one can be used on cookers, in the oven, even on the barbecue. They’ll thank you for the inspiration, even if they don’t initially know what this is when they unwrap it.
Diamond Marble Italian wok
The one piece of cookware I have always wanted but haven’t yet invested in is a wok and this makes a great gift for foodies. While making rice and noodle stir-fry dishes is possible in a frying pan, nothing compares to doing so in a dedicated wok. This one has seven layers of diamond-infused non-stick coating so you can stir, flip, and do all your favourite hibachi tricks without using loads of oil.
Staub 10-inch cast iron frying pan
Every foodie should have a good cast iron frying pan. I had been through several cheaper models before I invested in a good set and have never looked back. From the even sear to the non-stick surface and incredible ease of cleaning, they’re versatile and worth every penny. The great part with this one is that you can cook on the stove and finish by placing the pan right in the oven. No seasoning is required, but it’s always a good idea to dry and season your cast iron pan with a bit of olive oil after every use.
Elevate every meal with the perfect cooking gifts
Any foodie on your list will appreciate a cooking gift for the kitchen they don’t already have. From the essentials to unique and smart cooking gadgets and small appliances, and specialty cookware, the world is your oyster when it comes to gifts for foodies. Those who entertain will love barware that helps them up their game. And for outdoor cooks who are experts on the grill, there are many gadgets and appliances they’ll love experimenting with. You’ll find a gift idea here for every type of home cook.
Check out Best Buy’s wide selection of kitchen appliances, kitchen gadgets, and kitchen tools that make perfect gifts for people who like to cook. There’s something to match your friend or family member’s culinary interests. Peruse the categories and our comprehensive gift guide for even more ideas. You might end up getting the cooking bug and picking up an item or two for yourself as well!
Table of Contents
- Must-have kitchen appliances to wow any foodie
- Essential cooking gadgets & tools every home cook needs
- Smart kitchen devices for the high-tech foodie
- Barware & cocktail sets for aspiring mixologists
- Perfect picks for wine lovers
- Outdoor grills & BBQ accessories for the grill master
- Specialty cookware to elevate their culinary adventures
- Elevate every meal with the perfect cooking gifts
