I love cooking.

I love the smell of different aromas traveling through a home, inviting everyone to the kitchen with ever waft. I love the way different favors pair and compliment one another, and I love experimenting to see what will work. I love seeing a smile across the face of someone tasting one of my dishes or desserts because I know I’ve made them happy. Better yet, I’ve delighted one of their senses.

There are many people like me who enjoy the genuine arts of food and entertaining. There are entire businesses, television networks, stores, etc. all dedicated to this passion. With all of that being said, I’ve put together a short list of perfect gifts for the cooks, foodies, or entertainers in your life. Personally, I would love to receive any of these items as gifts, and I know other people would, also!

• Good olive oil

This is for the cooks out there!

Olive oil is one of the main cooking staples every cook should have in their kitchen. It is highly versatile and delicious. It can be used for everything you can think of: browning onions, frying cutlets (or just about anything), making salad dressings, sautéing veggies, dipping appetizer bread… the list goes on! With that being said, good olive oil is often an expensive buy. This is why it’s a great gift to give.

You don’t have to break the bank on an overly expensive bottle of olive oil. However, picking up a bottle or two from a speciality store might cost anywhere from $15-$50. My favorite store to pick up olive oil from is Carter & Cavero, located in Red Bank, NJ. They offer tastings at the store and I always love to try new flavors. They also sell vinegars and spices to enhance your daily cooking.

If you’re not in NJ, you can get good olive oil at any Italian provisions shop and even most regular supermarkets.

• Wooden cheese board

I remember the day my husband took me out to buy a cheese board. I was so excited! I know that probably sounds insane but if you know me, you know I love a good cheese board. I recently wrote a blogpost about how to create a holiday or party cheese board which you can check out here. Cheese boards are a great gift because, honestly, you can never have too many of them. They come in different shapes, sizes, widths, colors, etc. Plus, they make a great touch to any party.

I picked out my own board, but if you’re looking to purchase a cheese board as a gift you can never go wrong with a round or long rectangular board. Pottery Barn, Marshall’s, Sur La Table, Williams Sonoma, and Bed Bath and Beyond are all great stores to check out.

• White serving platters

White serving dishes practically match any tableware or dishes. Serving platters are a great gift for an entertainer because, just like cheese boards, they come in many different shapes and sizes. There are pasta bowls, oval platters, rectangular or square platters, etc.

This set by Williams Sonoma has some of my favorite platters. Their large serving bowl is perfect and priced well. I also love the Everyday White dinnerware collection from Bed Bath and Beyond. It’s another collection that is priced well, and includes a lot of variety. Some of their styles are modern and others more whimsical. (Tip: when you’re purchasing gifts for an entertainer, but sure to take their personality into account. What would they love or appreciate?)

• Dutch oven 

I do not know how my kitchen would function without my dutch oven. I have this dutch oven from Le Creuset and I use it for everything. I bake chicken and roasts in it, make Polish gołąbki in it, and even use it to make chili on the stove top. It is super easy to clean and can be used for just about anything.

Dutch ovens are typically a more expensive splurge, so this is a great gift for anyone who is looking to get their parter, dear friend, spouse, parent, etc. a gift. This is probably not a typical house-warming gift, but is definitely great for a holiday such as Christmas or a birthday present.

• Cooking utensils 

Cooking utensils are great gifts because they are used every day. You can get a variety of great brands and prices at any home goods store such as Target, Williams Sonoma, Bed Bath and Beyond, etc. The one caveat to this gift is that you must know what kind of cookware the cook uses. You cannot use metal on non-stick pots and pans, for instance. Be sure to do some investigating before making this purchase.

• White cloth dinner napkins

This is another kitchen/cooking item that sort of matches any style. They are minimalist, clean looking, and can be used in a variety of settings from the cocktail party to formal dinner. I love this set from Bed Bath any Beyond (plus, they’re on sale right now!). I love the fringe at the end of the fabric.

• Etiquette books 

I received this book as a gift at my bridal shower and it was one of the best gifts I received. The book, How to Set a Table: Inspiration, Ideas, and Etiquette for Hosting Friends and Family came in handy so many times! It’s basically a guide about how to set tables for different occasions. The book covers formal dinners, lunches, and even speciality meals such as Christmas brunch.

I am not a fan of giving or receiving cookbooks as gifts. I think those are far too personal to give, but etiquette is not always a personal thing. I learned so much from this book, and I highly recommend it for anyone who loves to entertain and have dinner parties!

• Apron

I love to wear an apron for two main reasons: 1.) it keeps my clothing clean and neat while I am cooking and 2.) they can be stylish and act as an accessory of style for the host. Aprons come in all colors and designs. I love these ones from Williams Sonoma, and  this  one from Marley Lilly (it’s monogrammed!). I just think aprons can be given as a fun gift.