Culinary school graduates know their way around a kitchen, but they might not have all the tools they need to complete their kitchen. Here are some great graduation gifts for culinary school grads that they’ll love. Whether they’re just starting out or are already established in their careers. From kitchen essentials to cookbooks to gadgets, we’ve got you covered.
Best Gift Ideas For Culinary School Graduates
Thermapen
Every line cook and chef needs a trusty Thermapen to help with cooking meat to the perfect temperature. It’s a fast and reliable way to get an accurate read, and it’s a gift that every culinary graduate will appreciate.
This is a great present for any new chef who is about to start their career.
Personalized Leather Knife Roll
If you’re looking for personalized gifts, this is a great option. A personalized leather knife roll is a great graduation gift for any chef. It‘s a practical gift that will help them keep their knives organized and safe, and it‘s something they can use for years to come.
There are quite a few options available on Etsy, but we like this one the best.
Precision Food Scale
A precision food scale is a necessity for any cook or chef, and it’s a great gift for any culinary school student or college grad. It’s a tool that they’ll use every day in the kitchen, and it’s something that will help them to be more precise and accurate in their cooking, like when working on new recipes.
Quality Chef's Knife
A good quality chef’s knife is a necessity for any professional kitchen, and a great gift for any culinary school graduate. This knife from WUSTOF is made with a high carbon stainless steel blade, and a comfortable ergonomic handle.
The blade is extremely sharp, and can handle any prep work imaginable. This is a great gift for any chef starting their career in the culinary arts. If you’re looking for gifts that will last them for years, this is an excellent idea.
Personalized Apron
This is a thoughtful and practical gift for any grad of a culinary arts program. An apron is a must-have in any professional kitchen, and this one can be personalized with the graduate’s name or initials. This apron has leather straps, heavy-duty 100% cotton, and brass hardware.
Quality Wood Cutting Board
The Sonder Los Angeles thick end grain walnut wood cutting board is a beautiful and functional addition to any kitchen. This board is made from sustainably sourced walnut wood, and is large enough to handle any cutting or chopping task. The board also features non-slip feet and a juice groove. This board also comes with a lovely gift box. This is one of my favorite gifts on this list!
Precision Wooden Salt and Pepper Mills
Every chef needs a quality salt and pepper grinder set, and this one from Cole & Mason is a great option.
This set includes two wooden mills with precision mechanisms, and comes with a gift box.
The mills are filled with premium sea salt and peppercorns, and make a great addition to any kitchen.
High Quality Cookware
Le Creuset is a well-known name in the culinary world, and their cookware is some of the best available. This set includes a 9.5″ and 11″ fry pan, both of which are made with a tough nonstick surface. This is a high-quality gift any chef will appreciate.
KitchenAid Mixer
KitchenAid Mixers are a staple in any professional kitchen, and this 5-qt model would make a great gift for any culinary school grad. It features 10 speed settings, as well as a powerful motor that can handle anything from light mixing to heavy doughs.
The mixer also comes with a variety of attachments, making it even more versatile.
KitchenAids are on the pricier side, so this would make for a great gift for the family to go in on together.
Sous Vide
Sous vide is a popular cooking method among professional chefs, and this precision cooker would make an excellent present for any chef who wants to experiment with this technique.
The Anova Culinary Nano Sous Vide Precision Cooker is very easy to use, and comes with everything they need to get started.
New Graduate Chef Robe Hanger
This is a great gift for culinary school grad who want to look professional in the kitchen. Both the wood and the wire can be customized with a variety of different colors and finishes. It’s a great way to help them keep their robe looking sharp.
Custom Recipe Book
For the new grad who loves to cook, this custom recipe book is a wonderful gift. The cover features a Chef’s knife with your loved ones name. It’s a way for them to keep all of their favorite recipes in one place, and it’s something they can refer back to again and again.
Scratch Off American Food Map
This is a fun and unique gift for any culinary school graduation. It’s a scratch off map that reveals all of the different American food regions, and it’s a great way for them to learn more about the cuisine of the United States.
Friends Graduation Mug
Culinary Books As Graduation Gifts
Larousse Gastronomique
This is like the bible for chefs and would make an excellent graduation gift.
Larousse Gastronomique is a comprehensive guide to all things food, from cooking techniques and ingredients to history and lore. This book is an essential reference for any professional kitchen.
Kitchen Confidential
The Soul Of A Chef
This book is another great choice for any grad of culinary school. In it, Michael Ruhlman takes a look at what drives chefs to do what they do, and explores the passion and dedication that goes into creating delicious food.
Wrapping Up
Cooking is a passion and true art, and we believe that every graduate deserves recognition for their hard work. From kitchen appliances to cookbooks, there are plenty of great gifts for the new chef in your life.
Thank you for reading our gift ideas for culinary school grads! We hope you found the perfect present for your new favorite chef.
Check out our other gift guides for more gift-giving inspiration!