2018 Holiday Gift Guide For New Cooks
My 2018 Holiday Gift Guide For New Cooks is here! Check out the best kitchen finds I swear by…
Hello 2018 holiday season!!! Thanksgiving is behind us, so now is the perfect time to get your holiday shopping done. I celebrate Hanukkah, and it starts NEXT WEEK – so it’s GO TIME!
This year, I’m sharing 3 awesome gift guides just for you:
Tomorrow, I’m sharing my favorite girly girl picks (think beauty, fashion, home, etc.). Then, you can see my favorite gifts for healthy couples on Sunday.
Today, I’m sharing my holiday gift guide for new cooks. These are some of my can’t live without it kitchen finds. And to be totally honest, these gifts aren’t just for new cooks. They’re for any home cook or baker, or newly living on your own and need to stock your kitchen.
These are the basics, but also the products I use in my everyday life to save time, stress less, and eat well.
So let’s dive in to my 2018 Holiday Gift Guide For New Cooks…
For a Healthy Kitchen:
Thrive Market Membership – It’s no secret that I’m a HUGE fan of Thrive Market and use it monthly to stock up on my favorite healthy products. Thrive offers its members enormous discounts on your favorite healthy products (think 50% savings on some products!), plus gives back to those in need. By purchasing a membership for the new cook in your life, you’re also sponsoring a free membership for a low-income family – how cool is that?!
Sign up for Thrive Market here!
The Essential Vegetable Cookbook – If you’re trying to eat more veggies, this book is for you! My friend and fellow dietitian Sammi Haber Brondo created over 100 approachable recipes featuring 30 common vegetables.
6-Blade Paderno Spiralizer (under $20!) – I don’t think there’s 1 kitchen tool that I use more than my spiralizer. Who doesn’t want to enjoy fun veggie noodles in seconds? This version has 6 blades (my original spiralizer only has 3), so you can choose from tons of different shapes and swirls.
Start cooking up lighter Italian fare in 
minutes!
Cuisinart 12-Piece Stainless Steel Cookware Set – We got this cookware set for our wedding and use it every single day. It’s THE set to get if you’re just building your kitchen. The best part – you’ll have a pot for EVERYTHING you want to cook!
I can’t wait for you to try this cookware set!
Wusthof Classic 8-Inch Chef’s Knife – If you’re serious about cooking, it’s important to use proper tools – especially when you’re just starting out. Everyone should own a good chef’s knife – it’s the perfect gift for new or advanced cooks.
Kristie’s Kitchen Cutting Board With Drawers – With all that cooking, you need a sturdy cutting board. This one from Kristie’s Kitchen is genius – it has DRAWERS to catch your scraps! How perfect!!
Lodge Cast Iron Skillet **under $30** – The only tool not included in the Cuisinart set is a cast iron pan. I think it’s another important tool – although not needed right away – but makes an excellent holiday gift for a new cook.
A cast iron pan is a great way to cook meat (I always cook my turkey burgers in mine), or to make breakfast. It just gets better over time. And don’t worry about the cleaning aspect of it – it’s not as hard as it sounds to not wash it with soap and water! It get seasoned over time.
Grab your Lodge Cast Iron Skillet now!
Rachael Ray 5-Piece Baking Set – If you’re new in the kitchen, I’m guessing you haven’t done much baking. You can bake ANYTHING when you have the right tools! This 5-piece set is a good start so you can make loaf breads, cupcakes, cookies, and more. I prefer parchment paper or silicone baking mats to line my baking tools for easy clean up! 🙂
Instant Pot **under $100** – In case you haven’t heard, an Instant Pot is ALL THE RAGE these days. No, I haven’t used ours that we got for our wedding yet, BUT that’s just because our counter space is a litttttle crowded in our current kitchen (thank goodness we’re moving).
Get ready for ALL the Instant Pot recipes comin’ atcha in the new year!
Ugg Slippers – Maybe it’s from my food science lab days in grad school, but I rarely cook in the kitchen barefoot. What happens if something slips (and I’m a HUGE clutz!)?! I always like to wear some indoor footwear, and it switches between Ugg Slippers in the winter and my All Birds slip ons in the warmer months.
Kitchen Splurges…
Vitamix – I know it’s expensive, but when you use it everyday, it’s worth it… right?! I use my Vitamix for EVERYTHING – soups, smoothies, breads, muffins, the options are ENDLESS! If someone you love (or you) wants to level up in the kitchen, it’s time to invest in a Vitamix!
Level up in the kitchen with a VITAMIX!
iRobot Roomba Vacuum (with Wi-Fi Connectivity, Works with Alexa) – You know how EVERY time you cook a gazillion tiny crumbs end up on the floor? UGH THE WORST!!! That’s where a Roomba comes in. Set it loose and you have hands-off clean up!
Le Creuset Dutch Oven – There’s no piece more classic in a kitchen than something from Le Creuset! I love this Dutch Oven (in red or white, personally) because it’s such an under-rated kitchen item. You can roast vegetables, meat, fish, or even bake in it… plus use it stovetop or in the oven (talk about versatile)!
P.S. Sur La Table is having 20% off Le Creuset on CYBER MONDAY! Check out this great deal >>>
Nespresso Lattissima Plus by De’Longhi – We got this as a wedding gift, finally set it up a few weeks ago and are LOVING it! If you’re looking for the perfect gift for the coffee lover in your life, I highly suggest investing in a Nespresso!
P.S. Sur La Table is having an OVER 50% off sale on Black Friday. Get early access by clicking here!
For Entertaining…
Gold Boston Cocktail Shaker Set – Nothing is more chic than a gold cocktail set, amiright?! Adorn your bar cart or cocktail station at your New Year’s party with this set – it’s such a fun twist!
Monette Monogram Cheese Board – Seriously, how great is this as a gift for your hostess this holiday season? The neutral palate is perfect for any home decor.
I hope you enjoyed my 2018 Holiday Gift Guide for New Cooks… what will you get the new cook in your life?
XO
Note: This post contains affiliate links. This means that if you click on a link and make a purchase, I will receive a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting Chelsey Amer Nutrition!