The 2024 Gift Guide
- Maddie Umali
- 1 day ago
- 5 min read
Every year, friends and family ask me what kitchen tools, cookbooks, and pantry staples are actually worth buying. Rather than rounding up trendy products I've never touched, this list is made up entirely of things I use in my own kitchen—items I reach for daily, gift to friends, and would happily buy again.
Whether you're shopping for a seasoned home cook, someone just learning their way around the kitchen, or simply treating yourself, I hope this list gives you a few ideas.
This olive oil lives up to all its hype. Not only is the olive oil itself divine, but the squeeze bottle design makes them super functional. And the refillable cans are just straight-up cool. You can order the “Drizzle” and “Sizzle” olive oils through this link, using code COOKINGWITHMADDIE to get $5 off your order. Yeah, that’s right — I’ve got codes now.
This is my favorite tea. Mix it with a little sweetened condensed milk, and I’m transported back to Vietnam. Get this and a cute set of mugs for your favorite tea drinker.
For your friend who hogs the charcuterie board, get this amazing set of Laguiole cheese knives and your favorite hunk of cheddar. I have an entire drawer of cheese knives and spreaders, yet my Laguiole ones are always the first I pick up.
As you can tell from how many cookbooks are included in my gift guide, I love cookbooks, and while some of them on this list are new releases, I’ve included several of my tried-and-true favorites. Ones that I open and use on the regular. Cook This Book falls into that category. The pastrami roast chicken, skirt steak with red chimichurri, and the minty lamb meatballs are all must-makes. Oooh and the strip steaks au poivre. That’s my favorite!
Again, another favorite cookbook here. My copy of Nothing Fancy is weathered. Alison Roman is an American treasure, and that’s why I have more than one of her books in this guide. You can’t go wrong with making the labne with sizzled scallions and chile, one-pot chicken with dates and caramelized lemon, or the very good lasagna.
If you’re not watching The Lost Kitchen, you are seriously missing out. Erin French is a delight, and so is her original cookbook. My favorite recipes include her cornflake fried chicken and warm olive oil and anchovy dip.
If someone in your life wants to learn how to cook, this is THE book to get them. Sohla is so comprehensive in her teachings — yes, this book is full of lessons— as well as her recipes. Start Here is a phenomenal piece of work and belongs on every home cook’s bookshelf.
These are our favorite mugs, and that’s saying something considering how crowded our mug cabinet is. They are the perfect size — not too big, not too small— and they come in 20 something colors.
For your spice lover, get them the Frankies 457 Calabrian Chili Oil. I feel like this is something you may not buy for yourself, but when you have it, it becomes one of your favorite pantry items. It’s the perfect topper to all your pastas and pizzas.
Matty’s new cookbook — Soups, Salads, Sandwiches— is the perfect gift for your quirky goofball friend who likes bold flavors and nostalgic classics. Frank just got this cookbook, so I haven’t made anything out of it yet but everything looks amazing. The cubano?! I need to make that.
Tree Juice Maple Syrup — or any premium maple syrup
Okay, this is the only thing on my gift guide that might be hard to find considering I got mine in upstate New York, but I had to include it because I’ve been loving maple syrup and once you upgrade to a nicer, real maple syrup, you’re never going back. If a store near you sells Tree Juice, you’re one lucky dog, but thankfully they seem to also be on Amazon, so we’re all lucky I guess!
This is my favorite vinegar brand by far. I must have the strawberry rose and meyer lemon honey vinegars on-hand at all times. These elevate every salad. Oh my god, they’re amazing. I’m obsessed.
Where Cooking Begins is Carla Lalli Music’s first cookbook, and I must say, it’s one of my favorites. Her pasta e fagiole is bomb ass, and her sweet potatoes with tahini butter are chef’s kiss.
Another Alison Roman cookbook because she’s just that amazing. This is Roman’s third cookbook, and I’ll be the first to say that I was skeptical about an all desserts cookbook, but boy has Sweet Enough won me over. The old-fashioned strawberry cake and the peaches & cream galette are perfect. No notes.
It doesn’t necessarily need to be this bench scraper, but every home cook needs a bench scraper. Bench scrapers are the unsung heroes of home cooking. When baking, they’re perfect for cutting and dividing dough, but more often than not, I’m using mine to transfer ingredients from my cutting board to the stovetop.
Opening wine has never been easier. Get this wine opener set for your friend who watched Drops of God and want to become a sommelier. Pair it with your favorite bottle of red, and you’re all set!
I’ll admit that I’ve talked real smack about spice blends in the past. Then I met Spiceology, and I take back every bad thing I ever said about spice blends. The Cowboy Crust is seriously life changing. Get this for all your steak and bbq fanatics.
Want something nicer than a bottle of olive oil to gift someone? Get them the 3.5” Global paring knife. This bad boy is a game changer. You will never need another paring knife ever again.
Another must-have kitchen tool — the microplane. Everyone needs one. If someone you love already has one, it’s likely time to replace it. News flash — you have to replace these guys!!
Last but certainly not least — Maldon Sea Salt. This is the flaky salt. There’s nothing like it. It’s perfect for finishing any and all dishes, and if you plan on making chocolate chip cookies this winter, you must must must top it with Maldon.
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