The 55 best gifts for cooks, foodies and gourmands in 2024

Molly Yeh, a New York Times bestselling cookbook author and star of the Food Network TV series "Girl Meets Farm," says her latest cookbook, “Home Is Where the Eggs Are,” is “perfect for every home cook and fully packed with cozy recipes that feel like celebrations.”

Know someone who has been extra nice this year? Reward them with this KitchenAid stand mixer with a wooden bowl that’s as functional as it is beautiful.

“I have absolutely fallen in love with all Caraway products,” Cruz says. “My whole family uses them now, and they are truly the best pans I’ve ever used. They’re incredibly nonstick and durable, come in gorgeous colors and are of incredible quality. These would make a fantastic gift that would last the receiver a very long time.” Check out our favorite nonstick pans here.

“I grew up with my mom making Korean barbecue weekly, and this pan makes it so easy to have the restaurant experience in your kitchen,” Cruz says. “It’s a great reason to have friends over and enjoy some delicious food together.”

“This is the best gift for anyone in your life who is constantly in the kitchen,” Cruz says. “Standing on a hard floor for long periods of time ends up causing body pain, and this mat alleviates so much pressure in the back and knees. After putting one of these in my kitchen, I can cook all day without any pain whatsoever!”

“This might sound crazy, but I grew up without a salad spinner so I didn’t even know this existed until recently,” Cruz says. “I love growing leafy greens in my garden and using this tool to save time and paper products. I think it’s a fabulous gift for anyone who loves salads or just wants to get more greens in.”

With 75-plus seasonally inspired, approachable snack boards, recipes and cocktails, Olivia Carney’s “The Art of the Board” is just the thing for fun, stress-free entertaining (and is even better when paired with a bottle of wine or a cheese board). It’s the perfect gift for your favorite host or hostess, or even for yourself. “This book truly has something for everyone,” Carney says. “Whether it’s for someone who always raises their hand to bring the cheese board, the person who loves having a cookbook displayed on their countertop or the mom who wants to have a little fun with weeknight meals, this book has it all.”

Carney calls this 6-inch skillet the must-have kitchen accessory you didn’t know you needed, perfect for serving warm dips and baked cheese or to help make breakfast fun for the kids. “This mini cast iron is my go-to for serving warm cheese dips or baked Brie on my food boards,” she says. “The size is perfect for an 8-ounce round of Brie, and you can assemble, bake and serve all in one.” Check out our list of the best-tested cast-iron pans for even more options.

Cooks and foodies who appreciate Jiangnan cuisine will love this soup dumpling kit. It includes everything from the thickening agar agar powder to a five-piece bamboo steamer, so you can try making xiao long bao at home.

There's a lot to love about this gift box, which sources four hand-harvested salts from Iceland. Thanks to geothermal energy from natural hot springs, this product also leaves no carbon footprint.

We first tried Mike’s as a condiment for pizza in Brooklyn (shout-out to Paulie Gee’s!) and we’ve been hooked ever since. Spicy and sweet, this elevated honey is the perfect way to elevate so many dishes. Drizzle it on pizza, yogurt, cheese, sandwiches — the possibilities are endless.

Whether you choose the 8-, 13- or 20-piece set from W&P, home chefs can stay organized using the kit's reusable silicone bags, stretchy lids and glass bowls. They're sustainable, colorful and built to last.

Make a foodie's dream come true by gifting this flavorful trio of Fly By Jing sauces. They'll enjoy two spicy chili oils and the umami-packed Zhong Sauce made with mushrooms, garlic and brown sugar.

Bakers know that the best kitchen tools and appliances don't have to be complicated or expensive — and this Vermont-made rolling pin is proof. Subtle details like the rolling pin's textured finish and tapered shape make tackling doughs a breeze.

Baking (and cooking) can involve a lot of standing but can also be so messy! That’s why we love giving your favorite baker this machine-washable rug with a cushioned pad so they can stand comfortably in the kitchen and clean up any spills easily.

For the person who keeps saying they miss French pastry and bread from their last European tour, here’s the final nudge they need to get cooking. This kit comes with a proofing basket, a baguette couche, a scoring tool and more.

For a buy-it-for-life apron, you can't do better than Hedley & Bennett's Smock, which comes backed by a lifetime warranty. We also appreciate that it's available in tons of colors, with the option to add text and a monogram for a little extra.

Caraway has always impressed us with its photogenic cookware, and this set is no exception. Bakers who have old, beat-up sheet pans and muffin tins will be delighted by the bakeware's five naturally nonstick pieces, which are PFOA- and PFAS-free and come in a handful of attractive colors.

A recipe journal is a beautiful way to preserve family recipes throughout generations and makes a great gift for bakers and cooks who are always refining their dishes to find the ultimate and perfect combos.

“If you’re looking to splurge on a special someone who loves to host, this olivewood board is a striking addition to any host or hostess’ collection,” Carney says. She says olivewood has a unique fine-textured grain that lends an air of prestige. “Its creamy, golden color is unmatched by other woods and instantly elevates any presentation.“ It does, however, require a bit more TLC than others, Carney adds, so she recommends pairing it with a board oil to protect its quality.

“These adorable charcuterie board earrings from BaubleBar are sure to be the talk of any party this season,” Carney says. “They’re a great gift for your charcu-loving friend or someone who just likes to push the boundaries with their jewelry choices. They also have pineapple earrings, cocktail earrings and so much more. … I love the personalized feel of this gift without going through the trouble of actually personalizing it, saving you time and money.”

“Top Chef” fan fave and James Beard Award-winning chef Karen Akunowicz has been creating incredible pasta dishes at her enoteca Fox & the Knife since 2019, and your fave foodie can cook up a meal (three meals, honestly) from the restaurant at home with this kit that includes bucatini, creste de gallo, rich wild boar bolognese and spicy, prosciutto-kicked amatriciana. Don’t skip the harissa-marinated olives, trust us.

If you want to really spoil your favorite foodie, go big with this luxe box from Harry & David that’s packed with meats and cheeses like Creminelli Fine Meats Casalingo salami and Sartori BellaVitano Tennessee Whiskey cheese, as well as tasty preserves, olives and nuts to complement the spread, which they can display on the included acacia wood tray.

The perfect gift for the condiment- and umami-obsessed foodie, this barbecue sauce is made in small batches in the US, with non-GMO and preservative-free ingredients and BPA-free packaging. This vegan sauce enhances pizza, bowls, eggs and more.

If your foodie friend enjoys sampling snacks and candy from around the globe, this is the gift for them. This editor-favorite subscription box comes jam-packed with all things sour, sweet and savory from Japan.

The best way to eat lobster during the cold months? In this classic pot pie from Boston-favorite Summer Shack. They’ll get two hearty pies with potatoes, carrots, dry sherry, heavy cream, green peas, shallots, garlic, thyme and, of course, fresh lobster meat, all packed into a soft buttery puff pastry.

Know a foodie with a major sweet tooth? These made-from-scratch ice creams have a smooth texture and buttercream body that makes them a dream to dip your spoon into. Trust us, if they’ve never had Jeni’s, they're in for an absolute delight.

If your foodie also dabbles in hosting, this set of Our Place Gather Bowls is perfect for busting out at the next dinner party. Made of ceramic, these bowls also have a glossy interior for scratch resistance and a satin exterior finish, which means they are not only excellent for serving but also give your food a polished presentation.

Ask any coffee enthusiast and they'll agree that the Bambino is the best entry-level espresso machine on the market. It's sturdy, it's attractive, it pulls café-quality shots and it's extremely easy to use. For more experienced home baristas, consider the highly moddable Gaggia Classic.

I had never heard of this Georgia-based coffee roaster before, but after trying the essential bundle, I was surprised with the quality of its beans. While my favorite was the Ethiopian Yirgacheffe, a fruity, washed-process coffee, I enjoyed all three roasts. If you're shopping for a snob, steer clear of the roaster's flavored coffees.

Finding and purchasing all the ingredients for a craft cocktail is a pain, but Uncommon Goods' cocktail kits make the experience seamless, with each pack containing all the ingredients (save the alcohol) and tools for multiple speciality cocktails.

Charles Joly, cofounder of Crafthouse Cocktails and world-champion mixologist, recommends this in-depth look at the world of spirits and cocktails, calling it “the ultimate tome for the cocktail enthusiast in your life, compiled by the most respected voices in the industry. You’ll be able to endlessly revisit this reference piece that touches on every nook and cranny related to libations. Naturally, it’s best perused with a cocktail in hand.”

A ridiculous amount of flavor is packed into one little box with these five different artisanal bitters. “This is the perfect one-stop shop to add the finishing touch to your cocktails,” Joly says. “Bartenders often view bitters as the ‘salt and pepper’ of the beverage world; this gift pack is the entire spice cabinet.”

Great for craft cocktail lovers or new homeowners, Carney says this 10-piece cocktail shaker set includes everything needed to set up a home bar for success. (Plus, it’s all dishwasher-safe!) “It even comes with a beautiful mahogany stand to keep the tools organized and looking beautiful,” she adds.

“I think a milk frother is a fabulous way to spice up your morning coffee or matcha,” Cruz says. “This frother is great because you can either make hot or cold foam, so you can create your perfect morning drink or afternoon pick-me-up.” This 4-in-1 frother from Instant Pot allows you to make cold, light warm and thick foam or hot milk for coffee or hot chocolate.

This porcelain teapot is made from sandstone clay from Hasami, a Japanese town famous for its stoneware. As elegant and gorgeous as this piece is, it's also functional, including a removable stainless steel strainer.

There are few kitchen tools that are as affordable and useful as a bench scraper. Use it to chop veggies, transport your sofrito, cut dough or more. And when you're finished, you can just throw it in the dishwasher. It's the perfect gift for a foodie on a budget.

“These dairy-free coffee creamers are perfect because there’s something for everyone,” Cruz says. With flavors of toasted marshmallow, French vanilla and cinnamon swirl, these are the ideal creamers for whipping up your favorite seasonal coffee drinks at home.

Carney loves this engraved olive wood spoon and spatula set as a host or hostess gift this season. “A handmade, eco-friendly and personalized gift will always make a recipient feel most appreciated,” she says, noting it will make a lovely addition to any kitchen aesthetic.