(Holiday)

Expert-Approved Kitchen Gifts For Your Friend Who Loves The Bear

Yes, chef.

by Angela Melero

Updated: Feb. 20, 2024

Originally Published: November 1, 2023

@caraway_home

The Look Of The Holidays

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Since first premiering in June 2022, Hulu’s original series The Bear has ignited a fire in millions of fans, with many fancying themselves fledgling chefs with a fresh passion for haute cuisine (even if that translates to an elevated, potato-chip-infused omelette). There’s something about the show’s mixed bag of hopelessly flawed yet lovable characters and drool-worthy food shots that has resonated with audiences, sending thousands into the kitchen to recreate their own “Yes, chef” moments. For this reason, as gifting season rapidly draws closer, allow Carmy and the gang to guide your shopping and truly impress the amateur cooks in your life.

Truly, there is no shortage of chic and quality kitchen essentials to choose from this season, as brands are also jumping on the viral culinary extravaganza that The Bear has instigated. There’s influencer-favorite Caraway and its plethora of Instagram-worthy pots and pans that are as aesthetically pleasing as they are efficient. And labels like La Tourangelle are capitalizing on the uptick in refined palettes with its offering of artisanal cooking oils that feature blends like white and black truffle oil (yum!). You can also go the appliance route as brands like GE and HALO offer state-of-the art cooking essentials that can turn even the smallest of kitchens into the new hotspot (never underestimate the power of a pizza oven).

Ahead, see all the chef-approved kitchen essentials that will make the Sydneys and Tinas in your life jump for joy this season.

Occo

Spice Pod Booklet Bundle

$38

The best chefs know their way around a spice rack, and this set serves as a great beginner’s collection for those who are just learning the herbal ropes.

Bookshop.org

American Sfoglino: A Master Class in Handmade Pasta

$35

$33

Chef du jour Evan Funke (who just opened the latest LA hotspot Funke) created this pasta-making handbook with NYT Bestselling cookbook author Katie Parla for those who want to learn the art.

Korin

Masanobu VG-10 Gyuto

$325

Mary Attea, executive chef of NYC restaurants The Musket Room and Raf's says you can have every tool and gadget in the kitchen, but the most important is a sharp, sturdy chef's knife. “I prefer to use a Japanese-style knife, but as long as it stays sharp and has a strong handle, any chef's knife will do,” she says, noting this one from Korin as a fave.

Chef’sChoice

Trizor 15XV Professional Electric Knife Sharpener

$160

Ruth Reichl, editor-in-chief of Gourmet, says this knife sharperner was her favorite wedding present. “In culinary school, my chef instructors told me not use an electric sharpener — whetstone and honing steel only,” she explains. “But sorry, Chef! Now I have two of these and they keep me ready to slice real nice.”

Made In

Sheet Pan

$19

Acclaimed chef and creative force behind Horn Hospitality, Matt Horn recommends a quality sheet pan that’s durable enough for years of use and also super easy to clean. Win-win!

Perfect for everything from smoothies and salad dressings to sauces and even batter, this Beast of a blender gets the job done quickly and easily. It also gets bonus points for being easy on the eyes, which is why you’ve probably seen it on the counter of many food influencers and IG-famous chefs.

Designed to withstand higher temps than the brand’s ceramic sets, this chic four-piece stainless steel set will definitely impress any cooking enthusiast.

La Tourangelle

White Truffle Oil & Black Truffle Oil Set

$40

For the culinary artist in your life who likes to wax poetic about their artisanal sauces and ingredients, this truffle-infused duo is a must for gifting season. The flavorful blends will add that “special something” to any dish.

Weston Table

Japanese Selvedge Denim & Leather Apron

$225

Balancing style and functionality perfectly, this sleek apron is inspired by the high quality and design of workwear from 1900 through the 1930s. It also has a sophisticated fastening system that protects the neck from strain after hours of wear.

Sub-Zero, Wolf and Cove

Designer Undercounter Wine Storage

$4,245

Nothing pairs with a meal like a great glass of wine, and this storage fridge — which doubles as decor — will make storing and displaying your best bottles a breeze.

Andrew Pearce

Large Single Live Edge Wood Cutting Board

$160

“A good cutting board always makes for a lovely gift that’s both unexpected and much used in the kitchen,” says Forough Vakili, chef and founder of Atlanta eatery Le Bon Nosh, pointing to this walnut board as a top pick.

GE Profile™ Smart Mixer with Auto Sense

$799

Every chef or baker needs a standing mixer — it’s sort of an unspoken rule. This modern model by GE features auto-sense technology to help you avoid over- or under-mixing, a built-in smart scale, and voice control with Alexa and Google.

Hestan Provisions

3-Piece Mixing Bowl Set

$172

$130

Again, sturdy, durable cookware that stands the test of time will always trump an aesthetically pleasing otpion. Luckily, this set of mixing bowls doesn’t make you choose between the two selling points as the stainless steel and sleek design can easily sit beautifully on any counter.

Brava

Chef's Choice Set

$1,695

In addition to featuring the “world’s most powerful smart oven,” this set comes with all the bells and whistles that will make any kitchen complete, hence the name of the option: Chef’s Choice.

Sweet July

Olive Oil + Balsamic Vinegar Set

$65

Olive oil and balsamic vinegar go together like peanut butter and jelly, so keeping a great bottle of both is key to a well-stocked kitchen. Try gifting this dynamic duo from lifestyle expert and cooking extraordinaire Ayesha Curry’s brand, Sweet July.

HALO

Versa 16 Propane Gas Outdoor Pizza Oven

$450

Pizza lovers will appreciate this award-winning appliance that creates a perfect pie in minutes. To be fair, it also works great for bread and baked desserts, so it truly is a catch-all.

This article was originally published on November 1, 2023