8 Gift Ideas for the Cook in Your Life This Year

Written By Vanessa Carrillo

December is here, and we all know how stressful holiday shopping can get. If you're looking for the perfect gift for the Ratatouille-Iron Chef-Food Network loving person in your life, this guide is for you.

Nutribullet Pro

Personally, I own a Nutribullet and can attest to its greatness for making smoothies, salsas, sauces, and soups! Its small size allows it to fit almost anywhere, so it won't take up much counter space.

Vitamix

Vitamix offers certified reconditioned blenders that are not excessively expensive. These blenders have undergone a 17 point inspection and come with a 3-5 year warranty, along with a new container, all at half the price of a brand new Vitamix. This is your sign if you've been considering purchasing one.

Immersion blender

If you're like me and prefer to use the least amount of dishes possible to avoid cleaning, then the immersion blender is the perfect gift for you! It is straightforward to clean, simple to use, and easy to store.

Iron skillet 

Using an iron skillet can contribute to your daily iron intake. While meats, legumes, and dark leafy greens are also good options, if you're anemic/low iron, an iron skillet could be a useful addition to your high iron foods.

Silicon spatula 

Silicon spatulas are versatile and can clean any oddly shaped container. Their flexibility allows for a clean swipe and makes them ideal for use with pots, pans, and mixing bowls. They are also very affordable.

Vegetable chopper

Chopping onions can often lead to tears, so a veggie chopper is an excellent gift for anyone who loves to cook. It's not only useful for onions but also for peppers, zucchinis, squash, mushrooms, and more. This garlic press can help get dinner on the table faster.

Salt and pepper pinch pots 

If you want to elevate your cooking game, it's time to swap your shakers for pinch pots. T These small containers can make any cook's kitchen look more professional. If you're willing to splurge, I recommend the one I own.

Kitchen torch 
Okay, so this one is a little extra and may seem be excessive, but trust me, it's a game-changer. A kitchen torch is ideal for burgers, creme brulee, fire roasting peppers or tomatoes, and much more. A torch allows for a beautiful layer of caramelization that can't be achieved with an oven or pan sear.

About the Author

Vanessa Carrillo BS Nutritional Science 

Contributing Editor 

Vanessa is a Chicago-based community nutritionist. She has a BS in Nutritional Science from Iowa State University. 

She enjoys writing about Latino food, trendy health products, and pop culture. She writes, edits, and creates content for The Millennial Nutritionist. If she’s not working, you can find her running with her Husky along Chicago’s lakefront path. Catch more of her on The Millennial Nutritionist Podcast.