The Best Holiday Gifts for Cooks in 2018

As any cook knows, the best way to enjoy being in the kitchen is to fill it with tools that you love and want to use—though far too often, today's shiny new thing is tomorrow's back-of-the-cabinet dust collector. So we're assembling here a collection of tools that we love, so when it's time to buy a gift for the cook in your life, you can get something you know will be not only beautiful, but also useful.

Here are our favorite kitchen tools this holiday season: 

Looking for a Le Creuset-quality dutch oven without the hefty price tag? Milo's solid construction and internet-disruptor price have been taking the cooking world by storm—so much so that they're having trouble keeping them in stock. Read why one of our editors fell in love with his, and then head over to Milo's website to be notified when they're available again... which hopefully will be in time for the holidays!

Any coffee aficionado knows how great a Chemex is—and has probably seen them down at their favorite fancy coffee shop. It not only looks stunning on your countertop, but also brews a perfect cup that tastes clean, and has very little bitterness—in part because the all-glass container doesn't absorb any odor the way plastic does. Don’t forget to include Chemex-specific filters as a sweet stocking stuffer, so they can enjoy a cup right away.

Give the stir-fry lover in your life this wok-style wonder. The raised front side makes it easy to flip foods and toss veggies like a line cook or a Top Chef contestant without spilling or dropping a thing. The hard-anodized pan keeps food from sticking (and cuts back on the oil you need to use) but is still metal-utensil safe. 

A good baking stone isn't just for pizza. This versatile, beautiful baking surface holds high temps and keeps an even heat, making it ideal for everything from cookies to bread to, yes, pizza. And it works well on the oven or grill—and looks gorgeous enough to double as a cheese board or serving platter too. 

Whether you're a baker, a recipe-follower, or just savvy enough to know the benefits of weighing your food, a good-quality food scale can quickly become an indispensable part of your kitchen equipment. Get your favorite person this splurge-worthy version: with an 11 pound capacity, there's little in the kitchen it can't weigh, and the smart pull-out display lets you see what you're weighing in even the widest of dishes. 

German glassmaker Schott Zwiesel is known for gorgeous, innovative designs, and their latest collection doesn't disappoint. The glass is extra light, but durable enough to stand up to years of daily use. And the unique shape allows extra space for your favorite wine to breathe, releasing its unique flavors. This will elevate everything from special-occasion bottles to your go-to everyday glass. Pictured are the Bordeaux and White Wine glasses.

Got a steak-lover in your life? Give them a set of these cheeky-but-durable knives from New York Steakhouse Quality Eats. Designed in the classic French "Laguiole" style, they're a pleasure to hold, and a great way to splurge on protein, whether you're going paleo, or just indulging in a delicious recipe.

This gorgeous thermos makes a great gift for anyone who is either trying to hydrate or caffeinate on the regular. Not only does it look good, but it is simply astounding at insulation—keeping things piping hot for hours, and similarly keeping cold things chilled, regardless of the heat. Your loved one may thank you when they open it, but they'll thank you again after they try it for a few weeks and see just how well it really works. 

Whether you're making sheet-pan dinner, roasting a chicken, or grilling steak, knowing the internal temperature of your food can be the difference between perfect doneness, and an under- (or over-) cooked mess. This waterproof, lightning-fast thermometer is sleek enough to be gift-worthy, accurate to within a degree, and has become a go-to tool in our own home. 

There's something super indulgent about making crêpes on a Sunday morning—and yet they can be surprisingly healthy! Give your favorite person a little more reason to treat themselves with this beautiful French blue steel pan, that's just the right size and shape for getting a perfectly even and light pancake.