Gift Guide: Beyond The Basics - 20 Gifts To Take Your Cooking To The Next Level

Believe it or not, the holidays are sneaking up on us rather quickly. So today we're going to help you get a leg up on gift giving, by sharing one of our first gift guides of the season. Looking for a present for the home cook, amateur chef or grill master in your life? Perfect. Read on!       

1. Three-in-One Essential BBQ Tool - Take the guesswork out of it with this clever digital thermometer perfect for those who love to cook meat on the grill (it's also equipped with a bottle opener and corkscrew!). Buy it here. $50

2. Pasta Machine - Looking for a gift for an Italian food lover? They'll love this copper pasta machine from Williams-Sonoma. $100

3. Commercial Citrus Juicer - Squeezing lemons and limes by hand can be a pain... but not with this fantastic commercial grade citrus juicer. Pick it up here. $56

4. Digital Kitchen Scale - If the chef in your life could benefit from more precise measurements, why not give them a handy kitchen scale? Buy this one here. $15

5. Culinary Torch - For the baker or pastry chef, you might consider a culinary torch as a gift. Get this one here. $50

6. Tabletop Spiralizer - Pasta dishes replaced with julienne vegetables are all the rage right now, so why not try it at home with this handy spiralizer? Buy it here. $40

7. Wood Fired Pizza Oven - Get fancy with your pizza with this beautifully designed wood fired pizza oven from Uuni. $299

8. Meat Cleaver - Upgrade your cook's knife collection with a meat cleaver, perfect for slicing large cuts of meat. Buy this one  here. $40

9. Mortar and Pestle - Grind spices to release the full extent of their flavors with a mortar and pestle. Buy this gorgeous copper and marble one from Williams-Sonoma. $50

10. Rice and Pasta Cooker - Gift this handy rice and pasta cooker so your chef can concentrate on the rest of the recipe, without having to worry about the pot boiling over. Buy it  here. $52

11. Bamboo Steamer - Is the person you're buying for into healthy eating? Then they might enjoy a bamboo steamer, perfect for cooking vegetables and fish the healthy way. Buy it here. $13

12. Herb Mincing Scissors - Slice herbs quickly and easily with these scissor cutters. Get it over at  Amazon. $18

13. Nonstick Roasting Pan - This handy pan will allow its recipient to whip up amazing meals all in one pan. Head over to Sur La Table to check it out. $80

14. Poultry Shears - Step up your poultry game with these handy shears made specifically for chicken, duck, etc. Get them  here. $50

15. Meat Grinder and Sausage Stuffer - If the person you're buying for is serious about meats, then they are sure to love this meat grinder and stuffer. Check it out here. $50

16. Double Boiler - These can be very handy for making candy, delicate sauces, custards and more. Get this one  here. $80

17. Rotary Grater - Expedite your favorite chef's prep process with this handy rotary cheese grater. Get it at Williams-Sonoma. $37

18. Mandoline - Slice potatoes and apples the easy way with a mandoline. Get this highly-rated one  here. $60

19. Apple Peeler and Corer - Looking for a gift for that person who just loves fall (and therefore everything apple)? Then they're sure to love this handy apple peeler and corer from Sur La Table. $30

20. Dutch Oven - Slow cook roasts and stews the right way, with a dutch oven which will cook more evenly than other pots. Get this one  here. $70