MAIN Entertaining Gift Ideas Gift Ideas for Cooks

Know someone who loves to cook?

Whether they're aspiring cooks - or skilled gourmet chefs who have everything - gift giving for birthdays or around the holidays can be a cinch.

Gifts for cooks have become so popular that most can be found in either gourmet shops, houseware specialty or department stores and, of course, at online shops featuring kitchen equipment and appliances.

Anyone with an interest in cooking will always love receiving the basic necessities that can always be put to good use, like pots and pans, potholders, measuring cups, mixing bowls, whisks, wooden spoons, ladles, spatulas, paring knives or vegetable peelers.

For new cooks, choose classic cookbooks like The Joy of Cooking or The Betty Crocker Cookbook that offer a broad overview of techniques from meat roasts to mousse. If money is no object, also consider a high end food processor, quality chef knives, or a top-shelf copper pot and pan sets that are built to last a lifetime.

If they love to bake, consider oven mitts, cookie sheets ad cookie cutters, baking pans, or go for the specialty items you know they'll love to use - like spring-form pans, a cake decorating kit, professional cake mixers or bread making machines.

Do they love to barbecue? Weekend warriors always like to experiment with new sauce mixes or recipe cookbooks and often new need aprons, tongs, and serving equipment. Around the holidays, most of these items can be found all wrapped up in prepackaged in specialty gift baskets that also serve as great housewarming gifts.

For the little chef, look for play kitchen sets or other toys that make cooking and baking great fun for kids, such as or the very popular girls gourmet cupcake maker or the yummy chocolate fudge kit. Also surf the Web for kids-size chefs hats and coats that you can even monogram with their names or initials.

Still stuck for ideas? A gift card to a specialty gourmet shop is a win-win for the both of you since the giftee can pick out exactly what they want or need. Although it's usually not recommended to buy food items for cooks, a gift certificate to a local gourmet grocer or Whole Foods supermarket will always be much appreciated.

And what about cooking classes? Many cooking schools offer gift cards for classes that are also a great way to spend quality time with a friend or loved one when you sign up to go with them ... and who knows? You might even love learning a few tricks of the trade yourself.

More tips & advice about gifts for chefs & cooks around the Web:

Gift Guide: 8 Present Ideas for Cooks

20 Gifts for the Crafty Cook

Great Gift Ideas for Women Who Cook

also see in Gift Ideas -> Wine Lover Gift Ideas