Need gift for culinary arts inclined boyfriend?

It's my boyfriend's 23rd birthday coming up, and he will be going to culinary arts school in a few months. He loves informative, cookbooks, gadgets & kitchen stuff. I don't know what to get him, though...he already has a nice set of knives, and many books, but I would LOVE to get any suggestions, because I'm not a cooking person :( Any chefs out there have any opinions? I'm open to every suggestion:) Thank you!

Public Comments

1. first item would be an actual chef's apron, some assorted good quality cutting boards, spice rack of exotic spices, exotic kitchen gadgets that he doesnt have. Put all of this together in a wicker basket lined and covered in linen kitchen towels. Original, practical and thoughtful
2. how about a cool apron so he doesn't get his clothes dirty and he thinks of you when he cooks
3. Cutting boards, juicers, strainers, colanders, mini-bowls for prepping, lobster/crab crackers and forks, a ricer, little au jus cups for butter or condiments, a battery powered pepper mill, a panini press, a Foreman grill, a hand mixer. God, it's endless what all I use!
4. A chef's best friends are his knives and frankly the one of his biggets investments and if he does not have a really good set, get him one.
5. All-Clad makes THE BEST cookware (pots, pans, etc). If he is serious in the kitchen, get him copper cookware, as it distributes heat much more evenly than other metals. But All-Clad is hands-down the best cookware you can buy.
6. Good knives are a numero uno for anyone in the field. After that agreat apron and hat.
7. I think the best chefs have studied wine too. What about purchasing him a wine course or related material?
8. i am a chef and you should look at a web site called happychef.com they have a lot of stuff thats what i would recomend
9. Knives are a cooks best friend and some chefs have speacial cases to carry there knives and THEY dont let anyone use them,dont try either,so my answer Is to get him knives in a case of choice.
10. A gift certificate to a specialty store or even to the World Market (great store). He'll be able to pick and choose what he'll need for his own kitchen. But go one step farther and make it personal by using a pair of chef pants for wrapping paper or if he doesn't have them, a good pair of non-skid shoes that are comfortable. Hit the dollar store and throw in gag gifts to make up a basket of variety kitchen gadgets. Anything to show your interest and support will be appreciated. My best to him! My son just graduated and is starting at the Hilton next week. It's a great field to be in.
11. I'm not a chef, but I am an avid cook. Aside from the investment of great cookware and knives, which probably far exceed your budget for his BDay anyway...I'd say a good food processor or a high quality cast iron pan are must haves.
12. yes i do it would be nice to have a nice case to carry my knives and gadgets in along with papers and books just a suggestion...i would have like something like that...and it must be able to lock...or a set of personalized chefs clothes in a different color than the ordinary white i have a purple and also a black set and i love them both....red is also good and have his name embrioded on it...and you can look also on starchefs.com
13. get him a gift card to his favorite store, then go shopping with him and watch him have fun shopping..............
14. Lavender, since he has a good set of knives and will be attending culinary arts school, I would give him a gift certificate at Williams-Sonoma or a Kitchenaide mixer. If he already has a mixer he likes, check out their site for more ideas: http://www.kitchenaid.com/home.jsp If he's an avid bbq-er, there are sets of bbq utensils that come already put together -- or crystal wine glasses. I like all the silicone utensils/mitts/pastry brushes. How about a pot rack? Ikea has some interesting kitchen finds. Check out Estate sales in your local area - you can get some amazing deals/finds. Happy birthday in advance. :-)
15. If you know which culinary school he is going to attend, check the website to see what kinds of tools he will need for his chef's toolkit. Knives are, of course, a great investment. Don't bother with the cheaper ones; they won't last and won't be used. I would also recommend that you get him copies of Anthony Bourdain's books: Cook's Tour and Kitchen Confidential. These are humourous books on the restaurant business. Kitchen Confidential is a howl and Bourdain is a fantastic writer. You're a great gf. Hope that he realizes how wonderfully thoughtful you are.
16. I went through this with my husband too!!My favorite thing was having my knives engraved with my name and having a certificate to a cooks store.
17. A great idea for a personal and unique gift is a handmade painting made from a photo that you send. Check out this site: www.paintyourlife.com The prices are reasonable and the outcome is amazing.