Gifts for cooks
A cook does not need every tool sold in a kitchen shop. Ask which tasks they do often and which part is awkward: weighing ingredients, finding a serving dish or storing food. Check the kitchen before buying anything bulky. A good cooking gift improves a familiar routine rather than introducing a gadget that needs its own cupboard. Specialist tools, knives and pans are best chosen from an exact wishlist because size and handling preferences matter.
Ideas prepared by WantThis
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How we chose these gifts
These are editorial gift ideas, not hands-on product tests. Planning amounts are spending limits, not retailer offers. Any named product reference price is dated 2 October 2026; check the linked source, delivery, variant and current total before buying.
What makes a good pick
- Check what gets cooked, not just how often. Batch cooking, small weekday meals and hosting suggest different gifts.
- Measure cupboards, worktops and ovens for larger pieces. Capacity and storage matter more than a decorative finish.
- For cookware, ask about the hob and manufacturer compatibility. Do not infer suitability from appearance.
The ideas
- 1
A digital kitchen scale with readable controls
Plan £20–£50A good fit for: Someone replacing an awkward or unreliable scale
Ask what goes wrong with the current one: a bowl covering the display, controls that are hard to use or a platform that is difficult to clean. Pick the features that address that problem. Check capacity and increments against the recipes they normally make.
Before you buy: Do not present ordinary kitchen scales as precision equipment for every task.
- 2
A serving dish in a needed size
Plan £20–£60A good fit for: A cook who hosts and has identified a gap
Measure the table, cupboard and portions before choosing. A wanted dish can support a familiar meal without duplicating cookware. For a dish intended for oven use, check the maker’s instructions and temperatures instead of assuming every attractive serving piece can be heated.
Before you buy: Check weight, cleaning instructions and whether the exact colour matters.
Check product details at Le Creuset UK stoneware example (opens in a new tab)
- 3
A small selection of ingredients they already use
Plan £15–£30A good fit for: Someone who enjoys cooking rather than collecting tools
Choose a few familiar oils, spices or pantry staples in useful sizes. Build the selection around a dish they make, not a random premium-food hamper. Label why you chose each item and include storage information from its packaging if giving more than one.
Before you buy: Check ingredients, dietary needs and how quickly they will finish opened products.
- 4
A cookbook with a clear job
Plan £15–£30A good fit for: A cook who wants help with a specific kind of meal
Choose for the way they cook now: quick weekday food, a particular cuisine or a technique they want to practise. Look inside before buying and check the required equipment. Ask about titles already owned; a useful focused book can beat a large glossy volume with few relevant recipes.
Before you buy: Avoid buying a diet or restrictive eating book unless the recipient has requested it.
Save your favourites
Save your favourite ideas to a free WantThis list. Product picks include their retailer link; for general ideas, add the exact product link later. Price tracking is available for supported products.
Create your free listFAQs
Should I buy a chef’s knife?
Ask for the exact knife or offer a contribution. Handle, weight, blade and maintenance preferences are personal. Arrange an appropriate way to give it and follow the retailer’s age and delivery requirements.
What works in a small kitchen?
A requested replacement, a useful ingredient refill or a compact book. Check storage before gifting an appliance, and avoid adding a tool for a job their current equipment already handles.
Spotted a changed price or specification? Tell us which product needs a correction.