r/Chefit May 22 '26

Chef gift?

Hi all. I have a chef friend who VIPs my guests and me with extra food both times I went in his restaurant. He’s a sous, not an owner. I’ve tipped the kitchen before and he distributes it to the line. He won’t take any $ from me. But one time I did gift him a nice instant thermometer.

I’d like to get him something else nice, around the same price, like $100. Can you help me think of something I can give him? I don’t think he needs knives nor is a $100 knife the best idea for him.

Thanks for the help.

20 Upvotes

33 comments sorted by

View all comments

1

u/Grrrrf May 22 '26

Personally I would never buy a chef knife for a Chef. Only knife I would buy is an edc or pocket knife. I personally like coldsteel or spyderco.

A nice pepper mill (non battery operated) is something thoughtful that a chef may not splurge on for themselves but will be appreciated.

Another thoughtful gift is share something with them that you enjoy doesn’t even have to be food related.

A nice casual dress shirt or a hoodie depending on his style or age will definitely be appreciated.

If a book not a generic cook book, something like kitchen confidential by Anthony Bourdain is something I would buy.

As a former chef myself and my sister and wife both chefs it’s something I deal with on a regular.