Food gifts are arguably the best gifts. You can go all out like Itamar Srulovich, chef and restaurateur, who has been known to give copper pans smuggling homemade lasagne, or take an easier edible route by stocking up on beautifully packaged, top-quality tinned fish. After all, Srulovich says sensibly, “there’s no such thing as too many anchovies”.
Whether you’re shopping for people who love to cook or those who simply enjoy eating, these are the jars, books and kitchenware the UK’s top chefs and food writers would put on their gift list.
Burping mason jars
Fermentation jar, £11.99
lakeland.co.uk
One of the best presents I’ve ever received was a fermentation jar. Whether your friend is a seasoned fermenter, or just starting out, these jars are brilliant. Take a cabbage, add some salt, and let it work its magic – the handy valves allow you to burp your ferments as they go. And if your friend doesn’t take to fermenting, they can just use the jar to store ingredients such as grains or flour. Yotam Ottolenghi, Feast columnist, chef, restaurateur and author of Comfort
For more tips, see our guide to the kit you need to ferment at home
A kitchen goddess
Annapurna statue, £34.09
etsy.com
I’d give a little brass figurine of Annapurna. She’s the Hindu goddess of cooks and the kitchen, and would hopefully sit quietly on a shelf ensuring nothing is ever burned. Meera Sodha, Feast columnist and author of Dinner
A cult chef’s knife
Global 40th anniversary GS-110AN kiritsuke knife 15cm, £135
globalknives.uk
£69
hartsofstur.com
Sodha has also spoken of her love for Global Knives, which has launched a series of limited-edition knives and a knife block set to celebrate its 40th anniversary this year.
For more expert recommendations, see our guide to the best kitchen knives
Fancy tinned fish … or homemade lasagne
Anchovies and sardines gift box, £16.95
thetinnedfishmarket.com
De Buyer 32cm copper dish, £404.38
nisbets.co.uk
The best gift I’ve ever given was a deep 32cm copper pan, and we made a huge lasagne inside. I’m likely to give something edible, such as good-quality tinned fish, because there’s no such thing as too many good anchovies. Also, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve given Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat by Samin Nosrat, and Heartburn by Nora Ephron. Itamar Srulovich, chef and co-owner of the Honey & Co group of restaurants in London
The perfect pan
HexClad hybrid frying pan 25cm and lid, £174
hexclad.co.uk
amazon.co.uk
My gift would be a HexClad frying pan because you really can’t beat them. Nothing sticks to it, it holds heat well, and it has a lid so that you can do little braises in there as well. It’s one of the things I cook with most. Andi Oliver, chef, broadcaster and author of The Pepperpot Diaries
Zingy chilli oil
LaoGanMa crispy chilli in oil, £2.99
wanahong.co.uk
£5.16
amazon.co.uk
I love LaoGanMa crispy chilli in oil, which I get from WaNaHong. It’s not too expensive, it’s super tasty, and it goes with everything – it’s on preorder in my basket. Tom Kerridge, chef, restaurateur and author of Pub Kitchen
A sturdy travel mug
Yeti Rambler thermal mug, £24.99
amazon.co.uk
£25
uk.yeti.com
I love the brand Yeti. I was given one of its thermal Rambler mugs, which I love filling with tea or coffee to take on my morning stroll around the Virginia Park Lodge gardens. Richard Corrigan, chef-patron of the Corrigan Collection
Pretty roasting tin
Kapka Splatter Fest enamel roasting tin 21cm, £23.99
souschef.co.uk
The Kapka enamel range of roasting tins, bowls and plates are stunning, and my go-to gift – they make you smile just looking at them. I get them from Sous Chef, and use them to keep tomatoes, eggs and fruit out on the counter. Rukmini Iyer, Feast columnist and author of The Green Cookbook
A handy spoonula
Vogue silicone spoon spatula, £9.58
nisbets.co.uk
I keep a stock of small, bright red rubber spatulas (which I call “spoonulas”) from Nisbets, and they’re brilliant. Your cleaning up will become easier (over the year, you’ll probably save about £100 worth of food straight out of the pan). Tim Hayward, restaurateur, broadcaster and author of Steak
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Tasting teaspoons
Set of five teaspoons, £4.49
amazon.co.uk
I also love to give a set of five metal spoons for tasting because having them in a jar by the side of the cooker will help you become a much better cook overnight. In the past, I’ve found five identical spoons in junk shops and drilled holes to connect them. Tim Hayward
A fine grater
Microplane fine grater, £27.95
amazon.co.uk
£29.99
johnlewis.com
I give Microplanes as gifts more than anything. When you first use one, especially the fine one, it’s a joy to see parmesan or lemon rind fall like snow as opposed to having to run your knife between the grating holes of a box grater. Georgina Hayden, cook and author of Greekish
A beautiful serving bowl
Jars Tourron serving bowl 23cm, £69
divertimenti.co.uk
I would get a beautiful serving bowl to serve pasta dishes and salads at the table. When they have people over or are eating with the family, it’s not only practical but they’ll think of you, too. Divertimenti has really nice ones. Mitch Tonks, founder of The Seahorse in Dartmouth, Devon, and the Rockfish group of restaurants
Julienne made easy
Puntarelle slicer, £17
italiancookshop.com
I would get a Roman puntarelle cutter to use for courgettes. It’s the most satisfying tool (after a box grater, of course). Rachel Roddy, Feast columnist and author of An A-Z of Pasta
Gallic goblets
Large Frenchette bistro glasses, £60 for 4
glassette.com
The Frenchette glasses from Glassette. I’ve given them to a few friends now as they always ask about them when they’re at mine! Ravneet Gill, Feast columnist, pastry chef, and judge on TV’s Junior Bake Off
Simple wooden spoons
Olive wood five-piece set, £24.99
notonthehighstreet.com
Porridge spurtle, £5.95
willowandstone.co.uk
I’d like a bundle of wooden spoons, including one for porridge, and I’ve previously given small ones from Morocco, which are great for tasting. There’s something about the softness of wood that’s lovely to put in your mouth. I love picking them up on my travels, and they last for ever. Margot Henderson, chef and co-owner of Rochelle Canteen in London
Reliable probe
ThermoPro TP03H meat thermometer, £9.99
amazon.co.uk
To anyone nervous about cooking, particularly seafood and meat, I always recommend an inexpensive digital meat probe. It will give exact results every time, from cooking steaks to not overcooking fish. Paul Ainsworth, chef-owner of Paul Ainsworth at No 6 in Padstow, and author of For the Love of Food
Must-have blade
David Mellor rosewood cook’s knife 12cm, £58
davidmellordesign.com
I have given the David Mellor cook’s knife so many times; everyone in my family has had one for Christmas. It’s beautiful, well-made and indispensable. I’m obsessed. Phil Khoury, head pastry chef at Harrods and author of A New Way to Bake
