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As a food writer and home cook, I (selfishly) use every gift-giving holiday to upgrade my kitchen essentials. Dull knives? I’ll text my mom, grumbling about my blades barely slicing anymore. Need new cups? I’ll unabashedly drop hints to my partner that I’d love a set of coupe glasses. There’s no shame in my game, and there shouldn’t be in yours either…milk Valentine’s Day for what it is!
So, if you have a serious food lover in your life, think about cool ways to level up their culinary adventures. To give you some inspiration, we’ve assembled a collection of ideas—ranging in price—to spoil your partner, friends, family members, or yourself (again, no shame!). Trust us, these gifts will whisk any cook off their feet.
I’ve witnessed many Serious Eats staffers confess their admiration for the AeroGarden. And it makes sense: The countertop hydroponic garden grows fresh herbs and veggies even if you weren’t blessed with a green thumb. It’ll also send reminders to tell you when to water and feed your plants.
Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Shallow Heart
If you love opting into the heart-shaped, rosey red, or bubble gum pink trends of the season, this cast iron has your name all over it. It’s more than just a cute-looking pan; this cocotte is all-purpose and produces magic on the stovetop and in the oven. Plus, when you serve your cozy beef stews or luscious pot-pies, you’ll have a stylish dish to show off.
There’s no greater sight than opening up a bamboo steamer. Aromatic wafts coat your face, alerting you that it’s time to dig in. Whether you’re preparing dumplings, broccoli, or bao buns, this gadget will level up your cooking journey.
Gold still has its place in the culinary world on Valentine’s Day, but perhaps beyond a necklace, invest in something more functional like a Vitamix blender. They have unbelievable warranties and longevity, guaranteeing a lifetime supply of smoothies, soups, dips, ice cream, and more. Plus, it’ll certainly add some sparkle to your counter.
Chances are, if your loved one stans cooking, they’ve come across Frankie Shaw’s frozen fruit shaved ice or other clips of the fancy zester on TikTok. So, to live out their food influencer dreams, gift them a microplane. This one is Serious Eats’ top pick and comes in nearly 30 colors.
Gift your loved ones a tortilla press so they can make the fluffiest wraps. Once they master this process, refer them to our guide on nixtamalization so they can make masa from scratch like the real pros.
Nothing quite says “I love you” like a pair of kitchen shoes to prevent scorching burns, accidental slips, or sliced toes (aah!). That’s where these functional Crocs clogs from Hedley & Bennett come in clutch. Stick on those cute deli containers or “yes chef” jibbitz for added flare.
Plantains are highly versatile; they’re delicious fried as tostones, mashed in mofongo, and roasted as dessert. Loisa created a set that includes a masher, tostonera for even pressing, and a skimmer to snag crispy maduros out of hot oil easily.
This outdoor oven effortlessly brings the pizzeria to your backyard. It uses three fuel sources—wood, coal, and gas—to reach high temperatures and cook your dough perfectly. Even if you’re not into the pies, you can crank out some serious wood-fired dishes.
Cookies should seriously be a love language. Until that’s official, settle on gifting tins from Belle Reines, that include delicious flavors like double chocolate, snickerdoodle, and matcha white chip (you can mix and match them, too!).
The smallest gifts can make a huge difference in someone’s cooking journey. A case in point is a good-quality paddle tool that can help prevent smooshed grains when making rice.
We’re tired of overcooked chicken and burnt garlic bread. Sure, using an alarm on your phone can help, but what happens if you have multiple dishes to monitor? Serious Eats staffers love the OXO Good Grips kitchen timer since it allows you to set three timers simultaneously. Say goodbye to those disappointingly scorched meals.
This Fly By Jing and Our Place collab will level up your stir-frying technique since a wok can withstand some pretty high temperatures. The set includes some great tools, like a wooden spatula, hand-woven steamer, cooking chopsticks, and a few sauces, including their legendary chili crisp.
There’s nothing cringier than sipping wine and getting a mouthful of solids. To avoid that faux pas, it may help to invest in a wine decanter. The tool helps separate any icky diamonds from reaching your palette and oxygenates your vino for a tastier experience.
Crate & Barrel Joplin Red Wine Glass
I fell in love with these intricately designed red wine glasses after seeing them on an episode of Apple TV’s Foundation. I instantly added them to my wishlist while singing “I want it, I got,” in the voice of Ariana Grande, of course. The oenophiles in your life will appreciate the large bowl shape since it allows full-bodied varieties like Cabernet Sauvignons or Malbecs to breathe. Salute!
Instead of spending a portion of your check on a fancy steak dinner, invest in gear so your loved one can make culinary magic happen at home. A sous vide machine can do the trick for an ultra-tender, decadent short-rib or lobster dish. Breville’s sous vide machine is hard to beat, with its incredible accuracy and sleek look.
Between all the patterns available and the overall design, I’m obsessed with this super cute insulated cooler bag from Baggu. It’s perfect for hitting up farmers' markets, beaches, or the pool.
If your loved one cooks daily, they’re probably overdue for a new cutting board. Not only is this pick functional (and ranked the best by Serious Eats staffers), but it also looks stunning on a countertop, thanks to its checkered design and elegant craftsmanship.
Estelle Colored Glass Champagne Coupe Stemware Set
The founder of Estelle named her brand after her grandmother—she describes her as a jewel of a person—who instilled in her a love for beautiful kitchen finds. The champagne coupe glasses come in various colors, including the Iridescent shade that will steal the show on anyone’s home bar.
If your loved one is a newly self-titled home cook (yay!), stock up their kitchen with the essentials like this cast iron skillet. They may need a quick tutorial on how to take care of it, but once they master the maintenance, they’ll adore how versatile this pan is. It comes in handy for frying, baking, and even grilling.
The Lomi applies heat to food scraps to break them down which creates fertilizer. It’s a handy gadget for folks who don’t live in cities that offer green bins. Thankfully, unlike other models, this machine doesn’t produce any sketchy smells, so you don’t have to worry about gifting a stinky present. Happy composting!
As a food writer, I’m constantly sampling different condiments, but this Pakistani chili crisp stopped me in my tracks. This sauce immediately boosts the flavor of dishes like grilled chicken, rice, or sandwiches. The blend of ghee, garlic, curry leaf, ginger, and other spices imparts the most luxurious, buttery, and aromatic notes with a hint of heat to your food.
It’s time to organize that knife clutter in your drawer. To make it easy, invest in this magnetic knife strip. It’ll help you free up space in your kitchen while keeping them sharp. Plus, when you reach for your blades, you won’t accidentally nick your fingers (ouch!).
Romantic jacuzzis are cute, but bathing crusty pieces of bread and tender potatoes in a bath of Gruyère is a vibe, too. So why not nix the hotel reservation for a fancy fondue party to really make your partner melt?
The pastabilities are endless with this gift. Your favorite home cook can spend their weekends swooning over their homemade linguine, fettucini, or spaghetti noodles hanging from this drying rack.
Save yourself the stress of securing a reservation and cook a fancy feast at home with the help of Sitka Seafood Market. Snag one of their boxes with curated ingredients like lobster tails, buttery-tender scallops, and caviar. To help you ace the meal, the package includes a few recipes to guide you through preparing a luxurious dinner.
Panettone doesn’t have to be reserved for Christmas and NYE. This heart-shaped leavened cake infuses two all-star Valentine’s Day ingredients: Strawberries and chocolate. It serves five people, making it the perfect treat to bring to any festive celebration.
Verve Culture Moroccan Tagine Pot
Tagines slow cook recipes like Moroccan stew chicken and spiced lamb effortlessly. The clay-crafted vessel imparts an earthy flavor to your dishes. Plus, it has a vent opening, allowing just enough steam to release to braise meats and vegetables.
This mortar and pestle will help you create delicious seasoning blends and pastes to elevate your dishes. Unlike a blender, you don’t have to worry about overprocessing gentle spices and vegetables. This stunning pick from Diaspora Co. is crafted with bronze and is large enough to make big-batch recipes.
It’s never too late to start building your skills in the kitchen. Whether you just learned the difference between a pairing and a bread knife or consider yourself a seasoned pro, there’s always room for growth. With the guidance of Sohla El-Waylly, a chef and writer, you can take steps to deepen your comfort with various techniques and tools, all while seriously leaning into the joys of cooking.
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FAQs
When is Valentine’s Day this year?
Valentine’s Day is February 14, 2024, which is a Wednesday.
What do you get a chef for Valentine’s Day?
We think a lot of our above gift recommendations would be good for someone with professional cooking experience. You could try something practical-ish (like a bucket of flakey, finishing salt) or more of a gadget (like a co*cktail smoker).
Essential Pots and Pans: The Cookware Every Kitchen Needs
- Gift Guides
- Valentine's Day
