We Asked Chefs What They Really Want for the Holidays — These Are Their Top Picks Under $50

The merriest season will be here before you know it, which means it’s already time to start shopping for holiday gifts. If you have a food enthusiast or dedicated home cook in your life, skip the fruit basket this year and get them what they really want. Not sure where to start? We asked chefs to reveal their holiday wish lists, and their picks range from Great Jones baking sheets to a Bonne Maman advent calendar.

These kitchen items are sure to wow them, and they’re all under $50. Take it from the experts: Shop chef-recommended gifts from Cuisinart, OXO, Great Jones, and more, starting at just $5 at Amazon.

Best Chef-Loved Gifts Under $50

• Great Jones Holy Sheet Pan, $30, originally $40
• OXO Good Grips V-Blade Mandoline Slicer, $38, originally $46
• Cuisinart Mini Food Processor, $50
• Kuhn Rikon Auto Safety Master Opener, $24
• Bonne Maman 2024 Limited Edition 12 Days of Christmas Advent Calendar, $25, originally $26
• Qwork Borosilicate Lab Dishes, $9
• Sonoma Syrup Co. Crush Vanilla Bean Extract, $38, originally $47
• Etekcity Food Kitchen Scale, $11, originally $14
• Microplane Classic Series Zester, $14, originally $17
• Ms Wgo Pro Dough Stainless Steel Bench Scraper, $5, originally $7

Great Jones Holy Sheet Pan

"These are the best, most reliable baking pans, and the colors are so fun. The vibrancy of the hues will make any giftee want to bake. As a host, I love these because I can serve my treats directly from the pan — they look so great on a tablescape. Plus, they are nonstick and dishwasher-safe, which is the dream for avid bakers." – Loren Castle, Founder and CEO, Sweet Loren's

OXO Good Grips V-Blade Mandoline Slicer

“An easy-to-use mandoline slicer is a great gift option, and the OXO Good Grips v-blade mandoline slicer has multiple blade and height choices, allowing for all kinds of slicing.” – Meredith Kruse, Creator and Owner, Our Love Language is Food

Cuisinart Mini Food Processor

“One of my favorite small appliances that is perfect for any chef or baker is the Cuisinart mini food processor. This 3-cup processor makes quick work of chopping herbs, grinding nuts, or blending sauces, which saves time and space in the kitchen. Plus, it’s priced under $50, making it an affordable addition to anyone’s holiday wish list.” –  Gen La Rocca, Chef, Owner, and Recipe Developer, Two Cloves Kitchen

Kuhn Rikon Auto Safety Master Opener

"This multi-tasking tool is one of my favorite household gadgets. It doubles as a can opener, bottle opener, and jar opener. It even cuts cans clean without jagged edges so you can toss the ends of the can without getting your hands cut or dirty." – Eric Chung, Chef and Owner, Flaming Ox, San Jose

Bonne Maman 2024 Limited Edition 12 Days of Christmas Advent Calendar

“Food advent calendars are the best! My favorite is the Bonne Maman jam advent calendar. What a great way to enjoy holiday cheer for days and days and days!” – Janice Carte, Founder, Tiny Spoon Chef

Qwork Borosilicate Lab Dishes

“I love these nifty borosilicate lab dishes for organizing my mise en place at home. They are stunning and resilient to use, and people love to receive them as gifts, too.” – Janice Carte

Sonoma Syrup Co. Crush Vanilla Bean Extract

“This is the only vanilla that I buy. It's luxurious and intensely packed with vanilla bean seeds. Buy one for a friend and don't forget one for yourself.” – Janice Carte

Etekcity Food Kitchen Scale

 "A kitchen scale is a wonderful gift for home bakers. Baking is a science, and measuring the ingredients (especially flour) accurately leads to consistent and successful results every time. Plus, with a scale, bakers can measure directly into bowls and mixing containers, reducing the need for multiple measuring cups and spoons, speeding up prep time, and simplifying cleanup." – Shinee Davaakhuu, Founder and Blogger, Sweet and Savory

Microplane Classic Series Zester

“To get the perfect zest, you need a sharp blade. Easy to clean and capable of shaving nuts, chocolate, cheese, and citrus, the Microplane brand is the leader in graters for a reason.” – Vanessa Parish, Private Chef and Co-Founder, Queer Food Foundation

Ms Wgo Pro Dough Stainless Steel Bench Scraper

“I will always need a bench scraper on my prep station to measure and cut dough, pick up small ingredients, and clean pesky wood prep bench surfaces!” – Vanessa Parish