What is the best gift for the new cooks and bakers on your list?

[hedgehog]

I'm thinking in the range of $30 +/-

[cbayer]

1. A good chef's knife if they don't have one.

It's the most basic and important tool in my kitchen (in that price range).

[Glassunion]

7. I second that

A good Chet's knife goes a long way.

Do not fall for the name brand cutlery. The steel is very hard and difficult to sharpen. They do hold their edge for a long time, but they are difficult to maintain.

Also do not fall for the big box store knife sets like Faberware, etc... The metal is too soft. They dull very quickly. Not to mention they rust and pit instantly.

You should google "restaurant supply" and can find good cutlery there. A nice Victorinox 10" Chef Knife is incredible. It can be picked up for about $28, and I'd choose it over any $200 Henkels or Wüsthof any day of the week. They sharpen in a flash, hold their edge and live forever.

[cbayer]

8. Agree. I just bought Victorinox knives from a restaurant supply store in West LA and

I am extremely happy with them.

It has completely changed my approach when I cook and I am taking very, very good of them.

I bought 4 - a chef's, 8 in carver, paring and an angled bread knife. Also a stone and some oil.

Could not be more pleased, but the chef's knife is by far my favorite and the one I use daily.

[Glassunion]

9. I have a block of Henkels that I'm working on getting rid of.

I never use them.

[Fortinbras Armstrong]

15. I'll take them.

I'll even pay for the postage. Send me an e-mail to my account.

[noamnety]

2. A stick blender is handy.

I love mine!

[HappyMe]

3. A subscription to

FoodNetwork magazine - $18. Set of good quality measuring spoons and cups, nice kitchen towels and oven mitts.

[no_hypocrisy]

4. An array of herbs and spices.

Say you could get 10 varieties at $3 each like basil, oregano, onion powder, garlic powder, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, ground cloves, paprika, majorum, etc.

[Warpy]

5. Silpat baking sheets

Ice cream scoops of various sizes for drop cookies, muffins, pancake batter, and even ice cream.

A really good veggie peeler. I have one with a rotating head, Good Grips, and I love that thing. Get a good wood or bamboo cutting board to go with it.

A pepper mill. Freshly ground pepper can be a real revelation.

I'd tend to avoid a $30 chef's knife unless it's one of the cheap MACs. However, you can get a decent bread knife for that.

A seed mill for grinding whole spices.

A small rice cooker.

A Danish dough whisk.

[pinto]

6. I'll second a good chef's knife. Plus the latest 'Joy of Cooking'.

A good knife is essential. It's the one tool I *really* take good care of in the kitchen. And a good one will last a long, long time.

The other is a classic start on all things cooking.

If you have to choose one or the other price wise, I'd go for the knife.

[Stinky The Clown]

10. The very best chef's knife you can buy with that $30.

Others have said this already. I am echoing their sentiments.

In your kitchen, you use your sink and counters, your refrigerator, and your stove. Every time you cook. The only other tool about which that can be said is a good knife.

[Warpy]

11. I disagree

If you're going to treat someone to a chef's knife, take their hands with you. The best knife in the world is going to sit in a drawer if it doesn't feel right in a cook's hands.

[gkhouston]

12. A good electronic scale. n/t

[mtnester]

13. Aside from all of the above suggestions, a set of plunger style measuring cups are worth their

weight in gold...once you take the "plunge" you will never want to use other cups for wet ingredients like mayo, lard, oils, etc. But them as a gift, get a second set for yourself from "santa"

or ones like this:

[hedgehog]

14. Thanks for all the suggestions!

[Tab]

16. If a baker, a copy of How to make Artisan Bread in 5 minutes

(or something like that).

I agree with a good knife, though I don't know how good a one you can get for $30. But the book on artisan bread is great. I did it all last year. No mixer, no kneading, no formed baking pans, 15 minutes to set up the dough originally, then when you want to use it, just 5 minutes in the morning (plus baking time).

If I'm up to it (have medical issues) I'll do it again this winter.