Which Cooking Gifts Are Most Appropriate?
Finding the most appropriate cooking gifts depends entirely on the cook. Does the cook prefer baking to standard meals? Or, does the cook prefer haute cuisine cooking? Is barbecue a favorite cooking style? How often will the cooking gifts be used? Is the cook a "gadget" person who can't live without a chinoise in the kitchen? These are all questions that should be determined before considering the perfect cooking gifts.

Gifts for the Perfect Cook
If the cook "doesn't know how to boil an egg" or has minimal experience, it's easier to find the perfect cooking gifts. Most "new" cooks need just about everything. A good set of cutlery is always appreciated, as is a durable set of cookware in bright aluminum. Cooks love to coordinate their cookware with their kitchen colors. So, be sure to make a note of that when purchasing a gift.

For the More "Experienced Cook"
Choosing special gifts for the experienced cook can be tricky. Cook books by leading chefs make wonderful gifts. Choose the type of cook book compatible with the style of the cook. Or, mix and match cuisines like Italian, French and Tex-Mex cook books. For a more personal touch, design a personal cook book with favorite recipes. A really nice touch is to collect recipes from the cook's family and create a "family" cook book. Design a special cook book cover, add several handcrafted bookmarks and the gift will be a treasure forever. Some experienced cooks like to collect kitchen items as decorations, for example, trivets, teacups, salt and pepper shakers, etc. A thorough search of antique shops may have these collectibles. Often, an experienced cook may appreciate a set of fine mesh strainers in 3 or 4 different mesh gauges or a set of chef-style measuring cups or bowls. These are items cooks keep on their "wish lists".

Gifts for the Cooking Enthusiast
Gadetry comes and goes in kitchens. But, there are several items no cook can live without such as a garlic press, citrus reamer or a clay garlic roaster for baking those heady scented bulbs into creamy delights. Many cooks still use a food processor that doubles as a standard mixer and blender. These are especially convenient for all types of cooking needs. Another cooking gift that should be welcomed is a large roasting pan, large enough for a Thanksgiving Day turkey. A large pyrex lasagna pan is another gift item that gets a lot of use, not just for lasagna but for roasting a complete chicken or beef dinner, complete with potatoes and vegetables. A rice steamer as a gift assures the cook of perfectly cooked rice every time.

Gifts for the Cook that Help Organize A Kitchen
If there is any gift a cook appreciates more than dish racks that organize dinnerware or an organizer for knives, spoons, tablespoons and forks, it's likely to be a spice rack for organizing regularly used spices atop the counter. A kitchen should be ergonomically balanced for ease of cooking as well as preparation, clean-up and for informal meals. Having enough cabinet space in a kitchen is crucial to kitchen ergonomics. Gifts that help achieve ultmate kitchen organization are highly prized gifts. This is true of book shelves for cookbooks, small roll-about cabinets that hide away potatoes and onions with a table top that does double duty as a resting place for a microwave, another "must-have" gift for a cook.

Gifts for the Cook With A Personal Appeal
There are a lot of other fun items cooks might enjoy as gifts such as a designer chef's apron for full protection from splatters when creating culinary works of art. A new item now available is a set of elbow-length oven made with material that is flame retardant and heat-proof. Or, try a potted aloe plant for the window sill for quick relief from those annoying minor burns. Speaking of window sill potted plants, fresh herbs that are snipped from the window sill plant shelf are an ideal cooking gift. Package the seeds in attractive clay pots, add in a few recipes that incorporate the herbs. Choose herbs like parsely, coriander, dill, chives, thyme, sage, oregano or basil. Basil and thyme create a fragrant aroma in a kitchen each time they are snipped.

Cooking Gifts That Keep on Giving
Magazine subscriptions to favorite cuisine, wine and other cooking topics add regular delight to a cook's kitchen. These subscriptions can be an added feature of other gifts or stand alone. Either way, subscriptions and memberships in cooking clubs make for a happy cook.

A Real "Cook's Treat"
Of course, if the gift in mind is one that stands out above all the rest, it would be a "cook's treat" like a paid week at a cooking school of prestige. These schools often offer gift certificates for a week's stay in a nearby hotel and a week at a 4-star cooking school that is a never forgotten experience for any cook. Naturally, a stay at a French cooking school has ultimate appeal. But, there are several well-known cooking schools around the globe that offer gift programs.