TigerChef

I always find it a challenge to field questions from friends and family about what holiday gift to give a professional chef. Since they figure it “takes one to know one,” I find myself at this time of the year being the source for all chef-related questions! On one hand, as a professional, I know that generally if I need kitchen equipment, I make sure I have it. On the other hand, the old adage that “the shoemaker’s son always goes barefoot” sometimes applies. I often fall into the habit of working around kitchen equipment that I don’t have or making do with tools that should be replaced, so a gift of something I will use regularly is always appreciated. In the spirit of holiday giving, here are some gift ideas for a professional chef.

Consider a Gift of a Functional and Stylish Knife Set

As far as kitchen equipment goes, you can never go wrong in giving a gift of knives. Chefs use and overuse their knives, so it’s a cinch that they will need to replace knives on a regular basis. A knife set can be both functional and stylish. The Mundial Elegance Executive Chef’s Set is a particularly good choice. This 9-piece block set is fully forged and includes seven of the most important knives to get the job done. These knives are well-balanced and have a long-lasting razor-sharp edge. In addition to the fine knives, the set includes a sharpening steel, and everything is packaged in a handsome black cutlery bag.

Another option is the Victorinox 7-Piece Block Set. This attractive set includes five high-performance knives plus a sharpening steel to keep the blades in top condition. These are all housed in a six-slot slant oak block. The handles are ergonomically designed and are slip resistant.

Any professional chef would be pleased to own either set. For more information on knives, see an earlier posting: Professional Knives Reviewed.

Add Something to Personalize the Holiday Gift

You might also consider pairing the holiday gift of knives with fresh herb plants, either one herb, such as dill, in an attractive pot or even a kitchen herb garden with an assortment of herbs. A friend once gave me a birthday gift of a salt grater and Himalayan crystal salt imported from India. This is something I would not have bought myself, but I really appreciated having the world of freshly grated salt opened to me. Other salts that would make great gifts would be Antarctic sea salt or Turkish Black Mediterranean sea salt, among many others. Additionally, exotic oils, such as roasted walnut oil, organic avocado oil, or porcini oil can give the cook ideas on enhancing the flavors in his or her recipes and would be a tasty addition to the holiday gift package.

Your professional chef friend will certainly appreciate the thought you put into your gift. Happy shopping!

Filed under: Top Picks • How-To • Holiday • General

Tags: holiday gift, knife set, professional chef