8 Chef-Approved Holiday Gifts for Anyone Who Loves to Cook, Bake and Imbibe
Cooking, baking and beverage-making are more fun when you have the right tools — and the holidays are the perfect time to gift said tools to friends and family who love all things culinary.
This holiday gift guide features chef-approved items chosen by ICE experts. With decades of industry experience, they know the best tools, ingredients, books, and more to inspire the next generation of chefs, mixologists and sommeliers.
Culinary Gifts
These recommendations make menu planning, cooking and serving more enjoyable.
Spark joy with serving pieces: 10-inch Wooden Bowl
“Nothing says home to me like a wooden bowl. I love this one, and it was gifted to me many years ago — it’s a mainstay at every meal,” says Health-Centered Culinary Arts Chef-Instructor Emilie Symons.
Chef Emilie uses this bowl for salads, adding, “Generally, I make a dressing right at the bottom of the bowl. The wide surface area allows the items to whisk in beautifully.”
She also likes to serve grain salads, like tabbouleh or winter wheatberry salad with roasted squash and pomegranate seeds in this piece.
Discover new ingredients: Espelette Pepper
“People don’t realize that there are more spices than what you find in the grocery store; this is something that will really turn up their cooking,” says Online Culinary Arts & Food Operations Lead Chef-Instructor Shawn Matijevich.
He explains that American recipes use cayenne, but this French pepper has a nice fruity, floral characteristic.
It’s a little bit spicy, but he swears it makes everything taste good: “I put it on just about everything — anywhere you use finishing salt, you can use this.”
Get excited about vegetables: “The New Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone” by Deborah Madison
“This all-purpose cookbook and encyclopedia has been more useful to me in the kitchen than almost any other,” claims ICE librarian Rose Kernochan — and she should know! Kernochan oversees the library at ICE’s New York campus, which includes thousands of books on management, food history, food writing, biographies, food science, regional cuisines and wine.
“Madison was the founding chef at the famed Greens restaurant, and her recipes for Braised Chard with Cilantro and Crostini with Green Olives and Romesco Sauce will make you want to sing,” says Kernochan.
Pastry Gifts
For bakers and pastry lovers, the right tools can make advanced techniques feel approachable and fun.
The perfect stocking stuffer: Doap™
“Doap™ is a silicone scrub bar for cleaning hands after making bread dough,” explains Pastry & Baking Arts Chef-Instructor Carrie Smith, adding, “it’s a game-changer and comes in many colors!”
This stocking stuffer makes it easier to remove stubborn dough from mixers, bowls and hands — meaning no more sponges will be sacrificed to the sourdough gods.
Get a roll on: French Rolling Pin
“I love a tapered rolling pin, and this one is so smooth, it will make you want to bake even if you’re not a baker!” exclaims Chef Emilie.
She uses this tool for making pie dough and rolling cookies — particularly sugar and gingerbread varieties.
“With tapered pins, people don’t press down as hard on their crusts and cookies, which can leave them smushed instead of rolled,” adds Chef Emilie about her pick. She suggests sharing a favorite baking recipe along with the rolling pin for a personalized gift.
Precision is key: Thermapen® ONE
Though many associate thermometers with savory cooking, they’re widely used in pastry kitchens, too. Professional baking is all about precision and consistency (which is why chefs measure by weight rather than volume — a kitchen scale is another great gift), so items come out the same every time.
This digital, instant thermometer is an asset for exactly the same reason according to Chef Carrie. She uses her thermometer for candy making, tempering chocolate and checking the doneness of breads.
Beverage Gifts
For those who love exploring drinks as much as dishes, these beverage-focused gifts combine learning with indulgence.
Tools for tasting: Coravin Pivot+®
“Tasting is an integral part of learning, and the Coravin [wine preservation] system can help you pour a glass of wine without having to commit to finishing the whole bottle,” says ICE Chef and Intensive Sommelier Training graduate Ann Ziata.
“I’ve used the Coravin for years and it allows me to taste and enjoy wine on my own schedule while minimizing waste. Fine wine is not cheap, and there’s nothing worse than having to throw away old wine or drinking more than you intended, just to finish the bottle.”
Sip global flavors: “The Japanese Art of the Cocktail” by Masahiro Urushido
Looking for a stylish and adventurous gift? Masahiro Urushido, a 2022 International Association of Culinary Professionals and James Beard finalist, wrote one of the most elegant books about Japanese cocktails.
“Filled with gorgeously staged photos of Japanese-inflected drinks like the Hinoki Martini or the Aki Paloma — and snacks like the Mortadella Katsu Sando — this book makes for a luscious read,” shares Kernochan.
We hope these ideas help you give something meaningful — something that sparks creativity, builds confidence, and helps aspiring professionals and passionate home cooks find their culinary voice.
