15 Gift Ideas For Your Foodie Friend
Do you have a friend that loves dining out and getting creative in the kitchen? Here are some fabulous gift ideas that any foodie friend would be delighted to receive.
Where Chefs Eat Book
This book is one of the most perfect gift ideas for a friend who travels and is constantly on the hunt for the best eateries in town. This book is a directory of restaurants that is curated by some of the top chefs and food experts in the world. Recommendations range from the unbelievably cheap to the ultra-expensive Michelin starred, so there is something inside for excellent dining on any budget.
A cooking class
While you may think this is a very expensive option, cooking classes can now be found at a variety of price ranges. If you are feeling generous and want to gift a loved-one something extra special, book a workshop run by Le Cordon Bleu. They are recognized as the most prestigious culinary school in the world and have many schools across the globe. For gifting on a smaller budget, look to Air BnB Experiences where locals offer their time and expertise to teach people their famous dishes.
Moleskine Recipe Journal
This beautiful leather-bound journal by stationery experts Moleskine is the perfect gift for a home-cooking enthusiast. The pages inside are set out to allow you to record your favorite recipes and organize them into courses. There is also space for noting down tips, wine pairings and storing mementos.
Gourmet Pastry
Do you ever walk past a beautiful pastry shop window and think they all look like little works of art? While you may think it is ridiculous to spend £15 on a tiny cake for your mid-afternoon snack, expensive desserts can make great gift ideas for someone who appreciates fine food. Of course, you have to buy this on the day of giving the gift, but that makes it an excellent last-minute solution. If you’re lucky enough to live in Paris, head down to Cedric Grolet’s patisserie shop for a true masterpiece that will certainly impress.
Independent Magazines
You will know by now that print is having a revival, and with it has come many independent titles that cover a huge range of niche topics. Food is one of those topics and there are hundreds of great new magazines that focus on food from different points of view. With most publications costing, on average around £10 a copy, they can make thoughtful gift ideas for your foodie friends.
A Kitchen Aid
With a large price tag, this is definitely a gift for a loved one, or for a group gift where many people can chip in. For any budding chef or general lover of cooking, a Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer is the ultimate tool. It may seem like a lot to spend on a gift, but this is also a gift to yourself since you will most likely be eating the delicious dishes made with the help of this kitchen appliance.
Pricey Food Items
Much like with the gourmet pastry, there are many fine food items that we really want but will rarely buy for ourselves because the price seems too high to justify. Things like luxury sauces, truffles, fine cheeses and cured meats, spices such as saffron, etc are all delicious but in reality, only on occasion get bought by your average foodie as they aren’t considered to be everyday items. These all make excellent gift ideas and will be loved by anyone who gets excited by good food, so pop down to your luxury food hall and pick out some fancy food.
Spice & Herb Collection
Every good cook knows that spices and herbs are the most important element in creating impactful flavor in most dishes. There are now many beautifully packaged spice and/or herb sets that can be bought and they make excellent gift ideas for those that enjoy cooking at home. Choose a tin that has a basic selection or, mix and match the contents to tailor-make your tin if you know which flavors they enjoy.
The London Cookbook
A brilliant gift for someone who often visits the top restaurants in London, or for an ambitious home-cook who is a lover of fine dining. The London Cookbook is a collection of recipes all from chefs in the top restaurants in the city. Dishes range from easy to tricky but all are possible to recreate at home with a bit of practice and patience.
A Handmade Hamper
Yes, you can go into any big department store or fancy food shop and pick out a beautiful hamper with a big bow, but there is nothing thoughtful in that. Creating your own hamper at home, filled with the favorite foods of your loved one is something they will cherish. Grab a wicker basket, some shredded tissue paper and an assortment of food items and put together your own gift. The best part about this gift is that you can spend as much or as little as you like.
Seeds
Seeds may seem like something you would buy for your grandparents, but if you choose the right ones they can make great gift ideas, and they’re cheap too. While you should be mindful that you don’t choose anything too high-maintenance if the person is not into gardening, selecting seeds for fresh herbs that can be grown on a window sill and used in cooking will make a lovely gift. If you don’t want to give just seeds alone then perhaps buy some small flower pots that will go with their kitchen. They will be sure to love watching them grow and will think of you when they used them.
Greengrocer Calendar
Another one for an aspiring chef, a greengrocer calendar is a great tool to keep in the kitchen as it shows which fruit and veg are in season. It makes a great gift for anyone who is a lover of farm-to-table dining as they can be aware of what is seasonally available and alter their menus and cooking plans to fit in with the fresh produce.
Serveware
Selecting a beautifully made, statement serving dish as a gift for someone special will make a great impression. For a foodie that is also into their interiors and decorating, choosing a design from an interesting brand that compliments their decor style in their house is a lovely gift idea. If your special someone loves to bake or eat cake (who doesn’t?) then this Mosser Glass cake stand below will do the trick.
Food Subscription Box
If your foodie friend is hardworking and often busy, a food subscription box can be a welcomed gift and solution to dinner-time madness. Brands such as Pasta Evangelists use fresh ingredients and send all the ingredients and directions for a meal through your door. Choose how often, how much and what to send and the rest will be taken care of. Your foodie friend will be thankful for a hassle-free delicious meal every now and again.
Chef’s Table Dinner
Without a doubt, the most special and priciest of the gift ideas on this list, a chef’s table dinner is something to be reserved for those extra special occasions for you and your loved one. Many fine dining restaurants offer the opportunity to book a table with the view of the kitchen so you can watch your food being prepared by the chefs and benefit from the highest level of service. This will make for an amazing meal that you will both certainly never forget.
