8 Private Chef-Approved Holiday Gifts, From $14

As someone who makes a living off of product recommendations, I’d like to think I’m a pretty good gift giver, but even I can get stumped sometimes. This year, I called on my longtime friend, Chef Julia Dudley, for unique gift ideas that the budding home chefs and bakers in my life will cherish for years to come. As a Le Cordon Bleu-trained professional chef living in Paris, Dudley’s recommendations were exceedingly practical and, of course, très chic. 

From clever, unconventional picks such as a foldable rolling tote bag for groceries and a sardine head salt bowl to classics like a Staub 3-piece cookware set, there’s a little something for every type of cook on this list. Keep reading for eight of her best holiday gift recommendations from Amazon, Anthropologie, and more, starting at $14.

Private Chef-Approved Holiday Gifts

• Hulken Original Rolling Tote Bag, $125 at amazon.com 
• Allsum Bamboo Butcher Block, $22, originally $26 at amazon.com
• Ottolenghi Test Kitchen: Extra Good Things Cookbook, $14, originally $32 at amazon.com
• LoveShackFancy x Hedley & Bennett Cropped Essential Apron, $120 at hedleyandbennett.com
• Staub 3-Piece Baking Dish Set, $100, originally $120 at amazon.com

Hulken Original Rolling Tote Bag

“If you really want to help make your favorite home cook’s life easier, you should definitely gift them this bag,” says Dudley. She raves that the Food & Wine editor-approved Hulken tote bag is “a game-changer,” perfect for lugging groceries home, but also for carrying heavy packages or moving laundry — who doesn’t love a versatile gift? She also loves how sturdy the bag is and that it folds flat for easy storage. 

It’s available in three sizes (small, medium, and large), ranging from $99 to $125, and Dudley swears by the medium. The playful metallic color options will add a stylish touch to any grocery run.

Allsum Bamboo Butcher Block

“There is no such thing as too many bamboo butcher blocks,” says Dudley. She told me that cooks “love to receive a beautifully crafted, good quality butcher block,” which can be used for meal prep or charcuterie board displays. This durable, 1-inch-thick wooden cutting board is crafted from easy-to-clean bamboo and features convenient details such as side handles for carrying and deep juice grooves that catch liquid runoff. 

Ottolenghi Test Kitchen: Extra Good Things Cookbook

“One of my favorite gifts to receive is a fun new cookbook,” shares Dudley. “They are a great way to inspire new dishes, expose yourself to foods you maybe wouldn’t eat normally, and serve as beautiful decoration when not in use,” she continues. Whether you’re looking for something experimental or a classic, she rounded up her favorite giftable cookbooks in her Amazon storefront.

LoveShackFancy x Hedley & Bennett Cropped Essential Apron

“If you’ve been following my content, you know that this is my favorite apron to use,” says Dudley. She told me that the quality of Hedley & Bennett aprons is “unmatched” and highlighted that they include a breast pocket that can hold pens, spoons, tweezers, or “whatever your heart desires,” as she puts it. Plus, the apron also has handy utility loops for holding tongs or towels.

While there are plenty of colors and patterns to choose from, she recommends gifting the brand’s collab with LoveShackFancy for a unique, vintage-inspired look that’s sure to steal any chef’s heart. Hedley & Bennett, which also makes our favorite kitchen apron, offers monogramming for a thoughtful touch that won’t go unnoticed.

Staub 3-Piece Baking Dish Set

If you want to really impress the chef in your life, you can’t go wrong with this Staub 3-piece baking dish set, per Dudley. She says this comprehensive set includes “three rectangular nesting bakers and has a beautiful glass porcelain-enamel finish that is highly scratch-resistant.” She also points out that the stoneware “won’t absorb moisture, diffuses heat gently, and retains heat exceptionally well.” This particular set “transitions from oven to table beautifully,” says Dudley. It’s a timeless gift that’s sure to last for years to come. 

Benedita Stainless Steel Bow Cake Serve Set

If you’re shopping for a bona fide baker this holiday season, listen up! Dudley recommends this elegant cake server set with bow detailing for the friend who loves to bake and host. “Every baker should have a serving set that complements the perfect dessert,” she says, and this option from Anthropologie will do the trick with panache. 

Parallelle The Small Traveller

If your favorite cook’s kitchen is overflowing with cookware and gadgets, Dudley suggests getting creative with your gifting. She recommends this compact travel organizer for easily storing toiletries in a work tote or carry-on bag. Your on-the-go giftee will be able to maintain a streamlined routine in and out of the kitchen thanks to the bag’s multiple adjustable dividers and foldable organizer pockets.

Vintage Hen on a Nest Salt Dish

“All good chefs love to have a salt bowl next to their stovetop for quick and easy seasoning,” says Dudley. She suggests, “Instead of going with a basic one, why not give the chef in your life this fun piece that is artsy yet useful?” This adorable salt bowl features a hen on a nest. “The best part is that you can also place it on the dinner table while hosting guests, and it can be a fun talking point and decorative piece,” she adds.