Knowing that we’re all spending more time at home cooking and dining around our kitchen tables, the first annual Unpretentious Holiday Wishlist celebrates home cooks and finding the joy at home centered around food. We will release a new category each day this week starting with the kitchen followed by: baking, cookbooks and pantry, beverage, and gifts for hosts and food lovers.

Gifts for the chefs at home

Everyone cooked a little more at home this year out of necessity. Those timid in the kitchen grew confidence, while novice home cooks ventured into cooking more complex recipes. We become adventurous, resourceful, and creative, learning that our capabilities go further than reheating frozen dinners. We asked some of Charlotte’s best chefs which cooking equipment and tools they would recommend as gifts for the home cooks on your holiday list.  

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Cookware

Copper Pots and Pans
Paul Verica, The Stanley

A chef needs a good set of pots and pans to cook with. Paul recommends copper for the best heat conductivity, plus they’re pretty enough to display on the wall or hung on an overhead pot rack. A set of copper pots and pans can be pricey, so consider gifting one size of either a pot or pan to start your home cook’s collection, gifting them a new size the following years. Pots come in different quart sizes (2,4,6,8 and 10-quart) while sauté pans are measured in inches (6,8 and 10-inch). 

All-Clad Nonstick D3 Series Sauté Pan
Joe Kindred, Kindred and Hello, Sailor 

Space can be tight in kitchens, limiting the amount of storage space available. Joe suggests the All-Clad Nonstick D3 Series Sauté Pan in either 10 or 12 inches. The pan is versatile and deep, making it a multifunctional pan for everyday cooking. A durable pan that will last a long time, the moderate price tag is worth the investment. Plus, its nonstick coating makes cleanup effortless and is dishwasher safe. 

5.5-Quart Le Creuset Dutch Oven
Tara Ebersold, Bleu Barn Bistro

The Le Creuset Dutch Oven is another piece of versatile cookware that any chef, novice or professional, needs at least one of. Tara suggests a 5.5-quart, as it’s perfect for braising and bread baking. The Dutch Ovens come in a variety of different colors and each year Le Creuset introduces new colors and limited edition patterns for anyone’s style. 

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Grilling

Weber Performer Charcoal Grill
Joe Kindred, Kindred and Hello, Sailor 

For the outdoor cook that wants to do more than just grill meat, Joe recommends the Weber Performer charcoal grill. Easily mobile with additional work surface space, the grill fits in any backyard. The grill also has additional inserts for purchase like a pizza stone, wok, and griddle making the possibilities for outdoor cooking endless. 

Big Green Egg
Tara Ebersold, Bleu Barn Bistro

If you have a seasoned griller in the family they probably have a Big Green Egg on their wishlist. The kamado-style grill, a charcoal grill entirely made of ceramic, circulates and retains heat better than a standard charcoal kettle grill. Big Green Egg comes in a variety of sizes from mini to 2XL and is durable with a lifetime warranty. With additional accessories available, a Big Green Egg lets you smoke, grill, and bake. 

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Tools 

Peelers, Microplanes, and Tongs
Whitney Thomas, The Grand Bohemian Hotel Charlotte  

Kitchen tools are just as essential as cookware. Whitney suggests peelers, microplanes, and tongs in a variety of sizes and functions because you can never have too many. These smaller tools are great as stocking stuffers. 

Set of Gray Kunz Spoons
Bruce Moffett, Moffett Restaurant Group 

A set of good spoons in a variety of shapes, sizes, and slots help perfect precision while cooking and makes plating easier and exact. Spoons provide control over sauces, while slotted spoons help separate proteins from sauces or find a bouquet garni in a large stock pot. A set of Gray Kunz spoons includes one of each type of spoon a chef could need, plus it comes in a small heavy-duty 6-compartment roll preventing spoons from getting misplaced.

Jesse James Culinary Cleavers
Lewis Donald, Sweet Lew’s and Dish 

Every knife at Jesse James Culinary is made by hand. Lewis likes this brand of knives for their craftsmanship and use of old-school fabrication technique. The cleavers are heavy and sharp and can cut through anything, making them an ideal gift for butchers and pitmasters. 

Molcajete
William Dissen, Haymaker 

Made from volcanic stone, this traditional pre-hispanic version of a mortar and pestle is great to grind and crush spices and prepare salsas and guacamole. You can also use it as a cooking tool placing it on an open fire or coals and heat to a high temperature to cook fish, shrimp, and soup. 

Benriner Jumbo Mandoline
Alyssa Wilen, Chef Alyssa’s Kitchen 

Not a gift for a beginner, the Benriner jumbo mandoline is industry standard. Alyssa recommends this for cooks looking for more control and stability when using a mandoline. The size accommodates larger vegetables and makes perfect round slices which is harder to get with a smaller mandoline. There is also a smaller version that is equally great. 

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Equipment 

Foodsaver Vacuum Sealer
William Dissen, Haymaker 

Organization and storage is just as important as the tools and equipment used for cooking. William suggests a Foodsaver vacuum sealer this holiday for home cooks. The vacuum sealer is great for storage, preserving and protecting food in refrigerators, freezers, and pantries. Vacuum sealing food also keeps the moisture, juices, and flavors of food locked in extending taste and texture. 

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Accessories 

Chef’s apron with suspenders
Whitney Thomas, The Grand Bohemian Hotel Charlotte 

Aprons have come a long way in the past five years, available in a variety of styles that are great gifts for any chef. When shopping for an apron, Whitney suggests a dark colored apron, which hides any spills, and one that has suspenders rather than the traditional neck loop that pulls and twists. 

Tilit Aprons for the Family
Alyssa Wilen, Chef Alyssa’s Kitchen 

If you know a family that loves to cook together then matching family aprons is the gift for them. Tilit has a variety of aprons in color and style, including kids aprons. Wanting to see her toddler Aubrey in a matching apron, Alyssa has these on her list this year. 

Beeswax Reusable Food Wrap
Tara Ebersold, Bleu Barn Bistro 

Another great stocking stuffer. Beeswax reusable food wraps are an alternative to plastic wraps and plastic bags. Good for the environment and better for your food, Beeswax wraps keep your food fresher for longer. Easily reusable and washable, these will last for several years.

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