Our selection of unique gifts for professional chefs: chef gifts such as a cook's knife, a pair of plating tongs and a chef's apron. See our range of gifts perfect for the person in your life who loves working in a professional kitchen.
Shopping links may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you. We've researched these picks but haven't tested them ourselves. About our links.
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 UKUK listing only in this guide.Amazon price at the time shown. Prices and availability can change; the price on Amazon at purchase applies.
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 UKUK listing only in this guide.Amazon price at the time shown. Prices and availability can change; the price on Amazon at purchase applies.
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 UKUK listing only in this guide.Amazon price at the time shown. Prices and availability can change; the price on Amazon at purchase applies.
4Microplane Premium Classic zester
This slim tool handles citrus zest, hard cheese, ginger and nutmeg. The fine stainless-steel blade comes with a protective cover and a soft-grip handle. It’s a small gift for someone who cooks often but has no room for another appliance.
Pros
Grates citrus zest, hard cheese, ginger and nutmeg.
Protective cover for the fine blade.
Soft-grip handle.
Cons
Won’t replace a coarse grater for larger shreds.
View on Amazon UKUK listing only in this guide.Amazon price at the time shown. Prices and availability can change; the price on Amazon at purchase applies.
5Hedley & 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 UKUK listing only in this guide.Amazon price at the time shown. Prices and availability can change; the price on Amazon at purchase applies.
6Ateco 7.75in offset spatula
Ask any cake decorator and they'll say the offset spatula is the tool they use most. Ateco's is the pastry chef standard, made in Japan with a tapered stainless blade that flexes evenly for spreading and smoothing icing.
Pros
Pastry chef favourite.
Even flex blade.
Made in Japan.
Cons
They might want a smaller one for cupcakes too.
View on Amazon UKUK listing only in this guide.Amazon price at the time shown. Prices and availability can change; the price on Amazon at purchase applies.
7MEATER Plus wireless meat thermometer
MEATER Plus is a meat thermometer with no wires at all. The probe reads both the meat's internal temperature and the heat around it, and the MEATER app estimates how long the cook has left. It connects over Bluetooth at up to 165ft, and the probe goes in the dishwasher.
Pros
Reads meat and ambient temperature.
App estimates the time left.
Probe is dishwasher safe.
Cons
Needs a phone and the MEATER app.
View on Amazon UKUK listing only in this guide.Amazon price at the time shown. Prices and availability can change; the price on Amazon at purchase applies.
8Global G-2 cook's knife and pull-through sharpener set
A Global G-2 cook's knife with a matching pull-through sharpener. It suits cooks who want a Japanese-style knife and a way to keep it sharp.
Pros
Knife and sharpener together.
Cromova 18 stainless steel.
Cons
Costs much more than a basic knife.
View on Amazon UKUK listing only in this guide.Amazon price at the time shown. Prices and availability can change; the price on Amazon at purchase applies.
What to buy someone who loves working in a professional kitchen
The best gifts for professional chefs are tools that stand up to daily use in a busy kitchen. Sharp knives, precise plating tongs and a good apron get used every shift. Check what their employer provides and which knife brands they trust before buying a blade.
How we picked these gifts for professional chefs
We picked each product for what professional 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.
