1Global G-2 cook's knife
A great knife is the tool chefs use more than any other. Global's G-2 is a Japanese classic, made from one piece of hard stainless steel with a hollow handle weighted with sand for balance. There are no joins for food to collect in, and the edge is easy to keep sharp.
Pros
- A Japanese classic.
- One piece, easy to clean.
- Light and well balanced.
Cons
- Some chefs prefer a heavier German knife.
View on Amazon UK↗UK listing only in this guide.Amazon price at the time shown. Prices and availability can change; the price on Amazon at purchase applies. Product sources
Global product page ↗
2Mercer Precision Plus plating tongs set
Plating is where a good dish becomes a beautiful one. Mercer's set has seven precision tongs, straight, curved, offset and fine-point, in a sturdy roll for the knife bag. They're the same tools used on restaurant passes.
Pros
- Seven tongs for every job.
- Restaurant-grade steel.
- Comes in a roll.
Cons
- Specialist kit, best for keen plating.
View on Amazon UK↗UK listing only in this guide.Amazon price at the time shown. Prices and availability can change; the price on Amazon at purchase applies. Product sources
Mercer Culinary product page ↗
3Kuhn Rikon Swiss peeler set
Ask chefs about peelers and many will mention this one. Kuhn Rikon's Swiss peeler has a razor-sharp carbon steel blade that stays sharp, a potato eye remover and a shape that works in either hand. The set of three means one for home, work and the knife bag.
Pros
- Very sharp carbon blade.
- Works left or right handed.
- Set of three.
Cons
- Carbon steel needs drying after washing.
View on Amazon UK↗UK listing only in this guide.Amazon price at the time shown. Prices and availability can change; the price on Amazon at purchase applies. Product sources
Kuhn Rikon product page ↗
4Hedley & Bennett Essential apron, Midnight Blue
Hedley & Bennett aprons are worn in restaurant kitchens, and the Essential is their classic bib style. It's heavy cotton canvas with an adjustable neck strap, long waist ties, lap pockets and a towel loop. It's the kind of apron a keen cook wouldn't buy for themselves, and it can be machine washed.
Pros
- Heavy cotton canvas.
- Adjustable neck strap and long ties.
- Pockets and a towel loop.
Cons
- Expensive.
- Neck strap style, unlike the crossback version.
View on Amazon UK↗UK listing only in this guide.Amazon price at the time shown. Prices and availability can change; the price on Amazon at purchase applies. Product sources
Hedley & Bennett product page ↗
5HexClad 25cm hybrid frying pan with lid
HexClad pans combine stainless steel with a non-stick coating in a laser-etched hexagon pattern, so they sear like steel but release food easily. The 25cm size is right for a meal for two. It works on induction, goes in the oven and dishwasher, and is safe with metal utensils. HexClad backs it with a lifetime warranty against defects.
Pros
- Sears well and still releases food.
- Safe with metal utensils.
- Induction, oven and dishwasher safe.
Cons
- Expensive for one pan.
- Mixed reviews on how long the non-stick lasts.
View on Amazon UK↗UK listing only in this guide.Amazon price at the time shown. Prices and availability can change; the price on Amazon at purchase applies. Product sources
HexClad UK product page ↗
What to buy someone who loves professional cooking
Chefs are fussy about their kit, so choose quality tools from brands they'll recognise. The best gifts for chefs include a great knife, a pan that copes with high heat, precise plating tools and a proper apron. A peeler set makes a handy smaller gift.
How we picked these gifts for chefs
We picked each product for what chefs enjoy and because it makes sense as a present. The order is our own choice. The pros and cons come from published product details, not customer reviews.
Amazon shows the current price and delivery. Where we've checked that the US listing is the same product, the US link goes there. Otherwise you'll get the UK listing, labelled as such. More about our research.
