Gifts for the Cooking Enthusiast in Your Life

We all have those people in our lives that seem downright impossible to shop for. However, people who are interested in cooking are always among the easiest people to buy a present for. Whether your friend or family member is thinking of enrolling in culinary academy or simply enjoys spending time in the kitchen experimenting with new dishes, the world is your oyster when it comes to purchasing the perfect Christmas gift for him or her. Here are a few ideas to start with:

An herb keeper: While some herbs taste fantastic dried, some recipes just don’t work unless you have fresh herbs. This can be an issue for a lot of chefs, though, because recipes usually only take a small amount of herbs, and the rest of the bushel from the store likely won’t retain its flavor for too long. However, with an herb keeper, like this one from Uncommon Goods, you can store the fresh herbs upright, allowing them to get an ample supply of water through their stems. It’s small enough to keep in the refrigerator without taking up too much space.

Shiitake mushrooms: While anyone can go to the grocery store and pick up some mushrooms for their dinner tonight, an avid cook might like the idea of being able grow their own mushrooms right at home. A shiitake log from 2 Fun Guys is a clever and thoughtful gift. These logs come in a variety of sizes and have had mushroom spores inserted in drilled holes. With a little bit of TLC, like proper watering and a shady yard, you’ll be able to keep a steady supply of mushrooms for the next two years, at least!

A cocktail kit: Sure, a tasty meal is great, but the real cherry on top is a decadent cocktail to pair with the meal. Depending on the poison the budding bartender picks, you can purchase a perfect cocktail kit, like this Old Fashioned kit from Food 52. It comes with sugar cubes, a double-sided jigger, a muddler and bitters. Pair it with his or her favorite whiskey and even some classy glassware that’ll give Don Draper a run for his money!