Is cooking more than just a daily chore for your lucky recipient? Perhaps they are the grill master, home chef, or simply a hobby cook — regardless, their passion opens up endless opportunities for potential gifts!
In this edition of our gift-giving series, I’ll go over 19 amazing 50th Birthday gift ideas for the chef of the house.
Let’s get to it!
Gifting Guide Suggestion
#1
Chop chop! Gift him a Professional Chef’s Knife
All hobby cooks need a good set of knives. If nothing else, they need at least one professional chef’s night with the tools to keep it sharp as well.
This is one of the top-rated knives on the market in 2023.
Gifting Guide Suggestion
#2
Up his Sous Vide Game with a Precision Cooker
The sous vide precision cooker is a game-changer for any self-respecting hobby cook. It essentially enables the cook to have complete temperature control when they cook sous vide.
If you want to make sure that they get the highest quality, go with the best-in-test! There are also a variety of cheaper options both online and in your local kitchenware shop.
Gifting Guide Suggestion
#3
Gift him an increase in skill with Gourmet cooking classes
Almost every city has available gourmet cooking classes, where your lucky recipient can take a class from a professional gourmet cook to learn new techniques and cuisines!
It can be a monthly thing or just a one-off sorta deal.
Regardless, they are sure to appreciate it! A quick google search will get you exactly where you need to be.
Gifting Guide Suggestion
#4
#4 up his collection and gift inspiration with a Cookbook
You can never go wrong with another cookbook, especially if you know some of their favorite chefs or cooking styles.
Knock yourself out and find something that you think they can really draw some inspiration from!
Barnes & Noble has an endless supply both online and in-person.
#5 gift him a Personalized cutting board because why not??
Get a little creative and personal with it by getting them a customized cutting board. It can have his name on it, his college alma mater logo, or a special message.
You don’t need to just go with the Amazon option either. A lot of local woodworkers or artists are able to customize some truly beautiful boards for an affordable price. Show love to your recipient through some good old-fashioned customized materialism!
#6 Molecular gastronomy kit
Go crazy and creative with it by getting them one of these awesome molecular gastronomy kits, that will allow them to experiment with unique and different cooking techniques and presentations!
This truly takes it up another notch for most hobby cooks.
#7 gift him more flavors with a Spice collection
There are so many awesome and rare spices out there, free for the taking. The unfortunate part is that most people don’t treat themselves to get these fancier spices, so you’ll have to do it for them.
We recommend this African spice set for some new and unique flavor profiles!
#8 remind him he’s the head chef of the house with a Customized apron
Get cool with it and get a custom apron with their name on it or a silly nickname like “household head chef” or “grill master”.
Opportunities are endless here for a fun, personalized and cute present!
#9 Gift Him The Gift Of Infinite Herbs With An Indoor Hydroponic Garden
Gift your master chef the dopamine boost that comes from growing his own herbs by getting them an indoor hydroponic garden for all their favorite herbs!
These mini-gardens function the same regardless of the climate you’re in, and allow them to grow their favorite herbs a-plenty – as well as receive the satisfaction of having some plants around.
Check out all the options you got right here.
#10 take him out for a Wine pairing experience
Go wine-tasting!
A lot of local wineries or restaurants offer regular wine-pairing dinners or wine-tasting nights, where your chef can truly learn to appreciate the intricacies that come with good wine.
#11 gift him something real personal with a Custom-made recipe book
One of the cutest and most creative cooking-related gifts I’ve ever witnessed was from a friend of mine who collected all the recipes passed down through her husband’s older generations into a modern cookbook that he could easily access.
Jam-packed with pictures, quotes, and notes from family throughout the years.
According to legend, more than one tear was shed when he scrolled through the cookbook.
#12 Get Quirky with it with a Gourmet olive oil and vinegar set
One of the favorite parts of being a hobby cook for a lot of people is the ability to curate new and tasteful flavors that can be hard to replicate without a set of very specific ingredients. A gourmet olive oil and vinegar set does just this.
There are tons of options online, but I also recommend heading down to your local farmers market this weekend to see if they have any great options available!
You can use services like these that help you turn all those notecards into a beautiful cookbook!
#13 show him you care about his hobby by gifting him a Food dehydrator
A food dehydrator is an awesome and unique tool that allows your cook to dry fruits, vegetables, and meats to create a vast variety of homemade snacks.
Most importantly, they’re super fun!
#14 yum! Cheese tasting set is a great birthday gift idea!
Put in the effort of going to a few different markets and put together a selection of gourmet cheeses from different regions. With the appropriate accompaniments of course!
This, with a nice bottle of wine and some fruits, does not only allow your chef to try new flavors and pairings – but can be a great little date, friend, or family night as well!
#15 help out his garnish game with an Electric spiralizer
An electric spiralizer lets your chef create vegetable noodles or innovative garnishes that are near impossible to make otherwise. It essentially creates a whole new world of possibilities when it comes to food presentation.
And remember food that looks great tastes at least 30% better.
In my opinion.
#16 gift some creativity with a Herb-infused olive oil kit
Let your cook create their own homemade oils!
These herb-infused olive oil kits allow your lucky recipient to create their very own bottles of oils they can use in their cooking.
It’s a fun process that can result in some truly spectacular new flavors!
#17 Fine dining experience is one of the biggest birthday hits you can get him, promise!
If you feel like they already have everything in their kitchen that you could possibly think of, or that we have mentioned, this just might be the perfect gift.
Take them out to a nicer restaurant. One that requires a dress code, a reservation, and maybe even a waitlist.
Splurge on a night for the two of you to really experience true culinary perfection!
#18 gift him even more flavors with a Gourmet Salt Collection
There are so many options to really enhance the flavor of food and cooking, and salts are one of the main ones.
That’s why we recommend getting a gourmet salt collection like this one! This way they can try all sorts of fun and tasty salts, and maybe even find a new favorite!
#19 put together a Specialty ingredient sampler for a fantastic gift
Go to some specialty stores, markets, or scour the internet for a selection of unique ingredients like truffle oil, saffron, or other exotic spices you can’t just pick off the shelf at your local Safeway (or whatever you people in the south have).
This is another gift where the effort is what truly puts the love and passion behind the present that they are sure to appreciate!
And there you have it! 19 Amazing 50th Birthday Gift Ideas For The Chef of the House
Regardless of what you end up getting them, just make sure it comes from the heart – and that you recognize their interests and passions. I’m sure they’ll appreciate it either way!
Didn’t feel like any of these recommendations quite hit the spot? No worries!
We have tons of other guides available for 50th birthday gift ideas, including one for dads, the sports-obsessed, the woodworker, the man who has everything, or just some more unique ideas.
Good luck!