31 unique and unexpected kitchen gifts from Food52

A large cocotte perfect for slow-cooking meats

Staub 6-Quart Shallow Wide Round Cocotte, $249-$269

Braise away in this sturdy and versatile piece of cookware. It has self-basting spikes on the lid to collect moisture and baste meats so they come out of the pot tender and juicy. We like that it comes in multiple colors, too.

Beautiful copper molds for fancy desserts

Coppermill Kitchen Copper Mini Molds, $98 for a set of 4

Inspired by 19th-century vintage pastry molds, these heavy copper accessories can be used to make any jelly, pudding, butter, or chocolate into a fancy treat. 

A stylish and practical glass bottle

W&P Porter Wide Mouth Smoothie Bottle, $35

The glass bottle’s wide mouth is designed with smoothie consumption in mind, but any liquid can go in it, really. Plus, it’s covered in bouncy protective silicone in case your recipient ever drops it and available in attractive colors.

A subscription that sends them gourmet salami each month

Olympia Provisions Salami of the Month Club, $240

This subscription gift ensures your loved one will never be too hungry. The 12 different salami arrive monthly and are accompanied by the kind of detailed tasting notes that could only from the famous Oregon-based charcuterie expert. 

An assortment of silicone lids

Five Two Airtight Silicone Lids, $40

These silicone lids are more sustainable than plastic wrap and look surprisingly nice. The set comes with five different sizes, which can cover bowls, cups, pans, and more. Since they can withstand temperatures of up to 550°F, it’s ok to use them in the oven or microwave. 

A thoughtfully designed apron

Five Two Ultimate Apron, $45

This is the apron of anyone’s dreams. In addition to practical design considerations like extra-long waist ties and an adjustable neck strap, the apron includes cool details like built-in pot holders, a conversion chart sewn into one pocket, and a narrow chest pocket to hold tools like pens and thermometers. 

An attractive casserole carrier

Fancy Panz Travel Casserole Carrier (set of 2), $29-$39

Forget the aluminum dish and upgrade to these carriers that instantly elevate the look of any casserole dish. Plus, it’s more secure and safe to transport across town to your aunt’s potluck. A set of two adds strong value to the price.

A personal cast iron pan

Staub Mini Cast Iron Fry Pan, $79

A cast iron pan is an investment and this six-inch version of Staub’s popular fry pan will be one used to make breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert for years. It’s okay to be a little selfish when using the pan. 

A sleek way to keep their wine cold

Vinglacé Wine Bottle Chiller and Tumblers, $90

With the power of double-walled vacuum insulation, wine can stay cold for up to four hours, and the exterior won’t gather condensation. The sleek and sophisticated design, which comes in multiple colors, also won’t look out of place on a dinner table. 

Pretty stoneware bowls with a variety of uses

Fisheye Brooklyn Gold-Dipped Pinch Bowls, $58-$170

Use these beautiful bowls for anything from displaying nut mixes to jewelry. They also make excellent salt or sugar cube bowls. They come in a set of three or six.

A lantern that also plays music

Mooni Andale Speaker Lantern and Wirefree Charging Plate, $45-145

This device brings light and music to your gift recipient’s next dinner party. It features four different light modes with 10 LED colors, plus it’s Bluetooth-compatible to play music at the same time.

Another interpretation of the phrase “food baby”

Garbella Food Alphabet Baby Onesie, $25-$66

You don’t have an entire alphabet’s worth of letters and foods to choose from, but you can pick an adorable onesie with a taco, rugelach, peanut, empanada, dumpling, or bagel illustration for babies aged three to 18 months.

Puzzles that look like their favorite foods

Areaware Little Food Puzzles, $45-$105

While others are working on puzzles of landscapes or scenery, your recipient will be puzzling over how to create a fully formed cheese puff, a bowl of ramen, or broccoli. The small puzzles are party pleasers that should only take 20 minutes to complete. 

Eye-catching ceramic vases

The Floral Society Ceramic Flower Frog Vase Collection, $34-$106

These artistic vessels are more unique than a typical vase but not so outrageous that they detract from any floral arrangement. Our favorite is the hanging vase. 

Decadent chocolate bars that contain EVOO instead of cocoa butter

K+M Extra Virgin Chocolate Bars, $45-$55 + $10 shipping

The substitution of olive oil for cocoa butter means these chocolates — which come in milk, dark milk, and dark flavors — have an extra silky texture and a higher amount of antioxidants. They’re made by famed chef Thomas Keller and olive oil producer Armando Manni. 

A charcuterie slicer for the recipient who loves to entertain

Frieling Charcuterie Slicer, $65

This may be marketed as a slicer for salami and ham, but it’s actually much more versatile — it can also be used to slice cheese and vegetables to round out any appetizer platter. We like how the wood construction makes it look less industrial and more home-y. 

Candles that smell like the forest

Food52 x Farmhouse Pottery Forest Candle, $38

These fir or cedar-scented candles are seasonal without seeming blatantly holiday-themed or overly rustic. They’re made from soy and hand-poured, exclusively for Food52. 

An at-home raclette set

Boska Raclette Party Set, $79

Enjoying raclette at home is fun and entertaining and this set makes it easy with eight mini pans that sit over tea lights to melt any cheese of choice. It’s ultra-satisfying to pour the melted cheese over potatoes, meat, and vegetables. 

A signed vegan cookbook

Ten Speed Press Signed Copy: Food52 Vegan Cookbook, $24-$46

Chances are, there’s someone in your life who has gone vegan this year. Beginner vegans can find recipe inspiration and receive help through this signed book written by a Food52 New Veganism columnist. Recipes like Tempeh Kebabs and Chai-Spiced Bread Pudding will surely provide a fresh perspective on vegan eating. 

Leather catch-all trays

Graf Lantz Felt & Leather Catch-All Tray, $76-$124

Beyond the kitchen, where the trays may be used to hold swizzle sticks and coasters, they can also hold jewelry, glasses, keys, and office supplies. The interiors of these chic options are lined with either felt, while the exterior is a vegetable-tanned leather.

A corkscrew and wine stopper set

Rabbit Wine Two-Step Corkscrew & Wine Charms Stopper, $32

The handy tool contains everything needed to get the wine flowing easily: corkscrew, foil cutter, and cute, colorful wine charms. And once the party’s over, the charms go back on the bottle stopper to save any leftover wine for later. 

A coffee press that follows them wherever they go

Palmpress Collapsible Coffee Press, $42-$50

Made from BPA-free materials and lined so coffee never comes in contact with any plastic, this press can be enjoyed at home or taken on trips out of the country. The stainless steel and silicone press only weighs 9.1 ounces and collapses into itself. It makes about 8.7 ounces of coffee. 

Grilling tools that have built-in flashlights

Grilllight Tools, $25-$50

Night grillers, fear no more. These smart grilling tools, which include a spatula, pair of tongs, and brush, have built-in LED lights to illuminate the way to show exactly what’s being cooked.

An intricate vintage ice bucket

Food52 Vintage French Glass Ice Bucket, $80 + $5 shipping

These striking ice buckets come from the French countryside and are classic pieces sure to become heirlooms. Since they’re vintage, you won’t know exactly which design your recipient will get — but that’s all part of the fun.

A tool that makes peeling and cutting ginger much easier

Microplane 3-in-1 Ginger Tool and Zester Set, $30

Use the plastic nub on the side to peel the skin, the sharp microplane to grate the ginger, and the mandolin slicer to cut thick slices. So much time saved means even more recipes that involve ginger. 

An herb growing kit

Modern Sprout Smoked Glass Garden Grow Kit, $25-$100

Each of these containers has a hydroponic system that makes it possible to grow plants without soil. Purchase one type of herb (basil, cilantro, mint, parsley) or a set of four to create a full collection. Homegrown herbs could be the small and simple trick to making any dish taste better. 

A portable metal straw set

Lastrå Metallic Straw Wand Set, $24-$38

Once a fringe movement, metallic straws have now gone mainstream. This sleek set contains three straws of different sizes and a cleaning brush, all in one space-saving case. 

A tea towel that lists every type of oyster in North America

Sir Madam Oyster Linen Tea Towel, $34

The ambitious task of listing out every single North American oyster has befallen tea towel brand Sir Madam. The final product isn’t an exhaustive account, but it’s an admirable and good-looking attempt for any bivalve aficionado.

A sleek stainless steel tea kettle

Demeyere Stainless Steel Tea Kettle, $49-$85

This all-purpose kettle will make a mean cup of tea, but the stainless steel design can easily handle much more. An extra-wide lid makes adding ingredients easy and it’s induction-friendly.

Preserved truffle peelings

Mikuni Wild Harvest Noble Handcrafted Himalayan Black Truffle Peelings, $52

A whole truffle can easily cost over $100 but these truffle peelings pack as much incredible flavor punch for a fraction of the price. These preserves, crafted in the mountains of Northern Italy, are packed to preserve flavor and freshness and work especially well as a garnish or added to sauces.

A collection of specialty, limited-edition spices

Voyager Box Spice Set by Eric Ripert & La Boîte, Limited Edition, $45

Celebrity Chef Eric Ripert of Manhattan’s Le Bernardin teamed up with Lior Lev Sercarz of La Boîte to create a unique line of spices, available exclusively on Food52. The set includes three jars of new spice blends: La Poivre (espelette, black pepper, and spices), Riviera Herbs (oregano, mint, and wild herbs), and Sel D’antibes (salt, bergamot, and herbs). It also includes custom recipe cards by Eric Ripert, which any foodie will salivate over.