DSS12 wants to be a chef: Christmas gift idea help, please?

[ladybee28]

DSS12 has (shyly) mentioned a few times this year that he wants to be a chef when he grows up.

DP and I have got him helping out in the kitchen wherever possible, and I'd love to get him something for Christmas that supports his interest...

Trouble is, I don't really know what!

I don't just want tat that will ultimately go unused (i.e, not a chef's hat or a corny apron); I'd love to find something that will feel special and useful and very much for HIM.

I've booked us in for a Japanese cookery workshop in the New Year (he thinks sushi is utterly beautiful and I'm not sure he knows that you can make it at home), but beyond that I'm a bit stumped on this theme!

Anyone else got a budding kitchen genius at home? Any ideas?

A hamper made up of all this with a decent cookery book.

My Ds is 16 and is an apprentice chef in a Michelin star restaurant . So a bit older. But he has asked for a decent knife. Then utensils like melon ballers, whisks etc. A plain plate so he can practice making meals and photographing them.
But also cookery books by his favourite chef.
Last year he got lots of barista type things to make posh coffee - grinder, glass latte mugs, milk frother whisk etc.

Similar idea here - we put together our own Sushi making kit including recipe book. Was much appreciated. (Got ideas from some of the ones online for what to include)

a trip here if you could afford it

A book about pizza making and ingredients

There are a lot of cooking classes aimed specifically at teenagers, see if any are near you.

Set of spices / herbs in a nice box?

Set of classic cookbooks?

My Ds is 16 and is an apprentice chef in a Michelin star restaurant

@Tiggles, congratulations to him – what an amazing experience!

A decent knife would be a great call in the years to come – he's a bit absent-minded at the moment and I regularly catch him trying to slice cheese with the blade the wrong way up, so it'd be a bit of a health hazard right now, but one day....! I really like the idea of some of his own utensils - things for him to take care of that we don't use or touch when he's not here.

A sushi kit would be fun, too –maybe after we go to the workshop together.

And @Sweetheart I'd LOVE to take him there – or anywhere experiential that's cooking-related! Unfortunately we live abroad and there's very little in the way of things like this where we are. Such a shame - he'd adore something like that.

If there aren’t any cooking classes, I’d put together a “teach yourself” set for any cuisines he likes. So eg a Mexican recipe book, the specific spices and sauces he’d need, any specialist equipment etc.

If anyone is thinking of buying knifes for budding chefs (I agree 12yo is too young. I’ve been a chef for 30+years and almost severed my thumb last week 😩) I recommend buying them one good knife (cooks, fillet, or utility) and a knife carry case. Then they can build up as they go along. It really is a case of quality over quantity. I have wusthof classic knives. They are bloody expensive but they are the best . A full set is in excess of £1200 so it makes sense to buy and build.

@CrispbuttyNo1 – thanks for this!!

And @WerewolfNumber1 - that's a stellar idea.

I found this monthyl subscription kit thing and am HEARTBROKEN it doesn't ship to where we live, so am digging around for alternatives. And screw it, if there aren't any versions of the subscription kits out there that will come to us, you're right, I'll make him one myself.

Good way for me to learn to cook too

I was going to say a set of knives, or at least one good knife he can add to make a collection.

A couple of cook books.

Pasta machine.

A set of cups so he can use US/Australian recipes.

A sushi knife, mine came from Japan but I'm sure you can get them here. You can also get onigiri molds, and you need proper sushi rice.

A smoker and a blow torch?

Do you have a garden? Seeds for herbs and a planter?

A pan, a specialist one that chefs use but you don't find in ordinary kitchens.
I used to live about 20 mins from a catering shop that sold to the public as well as trade, it was well worth a visit just to look round.

Can you tell I like to cook?

Also if he's cooking is he intending to have people round for dinner? Soe extra plates / table ware might be good, I have some mini kilner jars, tapas plates, miniature gratin dishes, I serve a single cauliflower floret in a cauliflower cheese as part of a selection of starters.

Betty’s of Harrogate do cooking classes for 12 year olds during school holidays. If you are not near Harrogate then other cookery schools probably do them too

@sashh – a pasta machine would be awesome! I have to be careful not to just look for things I think would be fun for me...

These are some stellar ideas, from all of you – thanks so much!

What about Gusto - they do a monthly subscription where they deliver ingredients to make meals with step by step instructions - my ds who is 12 has used them to cook us meals before

Also similar is simply cook or hello fresh

I’ve got a cookery book called “The Cook’s Book” which has loads of techniques and tips as well as recipes. To be honest I’ve never used it as it is a bit beyond my cooking usual stuff, but it feels like the sort of thing that would be good for someone wanting to progress.

@Sweetheart: this is exactly what I was thinking along the lines of with Raddish! Great minds... unfortunately we live on a small Spanish island and nobody will deliver these kinds of things out here.

Ok I am now very jealous that you live on a small Spanish island! What a fabulous place to learn to cook with all the beautiful fresh ingredients.

How about each month you make up a hamper of ingredients and print a recipe for him to follow - same principle will just take a bit more effort on your part.

I was going to suggest schoolofwok.co.uk/classes but that's a bit far!

@Sweetheart – ha! It has its up sides and its not-so-up-sides!

Please tell me you live in Lanzarote. It’s my favourite place .

I was about to suggest you look online at nisbets the catering supplier as they do brilliant bits and bobs but not sure if they ship outside the uk either.

This website www.souschef.co.uk is my usual go to for food things. Have got some lovely ramen bowls and ladles from there before (could be nice if he's into Japanese food).

Highly recommend this cookbook:

The Food Lab: Better Home Cooking Through Science by J. Kenji López-alt
It's sophisticated, but amusing and great to follow whatever your level of expertise (and I really mean that from super beginner to super advanced).

How about a subscription to the good food magazine? Or a Spicery subscription box?

Ice cream maker?

You lot are ACE – really wasn't expecting this level of creativity and ideas!

@CrispbuttyNo1 – in the interests of not outing myself, I won't say a firm yes or no... but I love that you love it in Lanzarote!

@PeanutButter82 - that site is gorgeous; I can see myself losing a good couple of hours in there and I'm not even a serious cook!

@SofiaAmes - that's going on the Amazon wishlist sharpish; this kind of geekery is right up my alley (so if DSS isn't into it, at least I can read it!)

and @PotteringAlong - I love subscriptions and all things like that, so you're absolutely on the right lines, but again, the postage thing... And an ice cream maker could be perfect for a place like where we are – I just have a hunch it might end up being a used-once-and-now-lurking-at-the-back-of-a-cupboard purchase!