Our Top Christmas Gifts (2024)

Our Christmas Gift Guide is a treasure trove of gifts that are made to be used and loved, adding genuine value to a home cook’s kitchen, table, or home bar – not for a season, but a lifetime. It contains over 100 gifts, from carbon steel pans to nifty little gadgets that’ll change the way you cook. As a starting point, we gathered a few favourites – a combination of best sellers, new additions, and a few exclusives you will not find anywhere but our shelves.

Gifts for Cooks Who Want to Step Up Their Skills

Alex Pole Frying Pan

A carbon steel pan is the sign of a serious cook – one who is willing to put a bit more care and maintenance into their kit, because the rewards are worth it. Rewards in this context means perfectly charred proteins and vegetables, skillet pizzas, and anything, really, as a carbon steel pan becomes more non-stick with time and use.

Handmade in Britain, the Alex Pole Frying Pan combines the three prized cookware metals: a carbon steel base for top-notch searing, an oven-friendly cast stainless steel handle that stays cool as you cook, and gorgeous copper rivets. While most carbon steel pans need to be seasoned before use, Alex Pole pans come pre-seasoned, so you can get cooking straight away. What we love most is how smooth the finish is right from the get-go; with just a few uses (and proper care), this pan releases food easily.

Shop Alex Pole Heritage Carbon Steel Frying Pan (from £105.00).

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Borough Kitchen End Grain Carving Board

Our Borough Kitchen End Grain Carving Boards can be used for carving meats on one side, where the juice grooves will catch any excess liquid, and as a regular chopping board on the other. It makes a perfect gift for the chef looking to upskill – not just because it makes a kitchen look more professional, but because it is made in a way that will prolong the sharpness of any knife.

End grain boards are made by arranging the wood fibres vertically. When a knife blade cuts into the board, the wood fibres separate and then close back up after the knife is removed. This creates a ‘self-healing’ effect, where the board is less likely to show deep cuts or grooves compared to other types of boards (like edge grain or plastic). This also means that they are softer on knives, because the blade is cutting between the wood fibres rather than against them, reducing friction that might dull a knife’s edge.

Shop Borough Kitchen End Grain Carving Board (from £99.00).

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The WÜSTHOF Classic Chef’s Knife is second from the top.

WÜSTHOF Classic Chef’s Knife

When co-founder Justin Kowbel’s mother gave him a WÜSTHOF Chef’s Knife as a gift, it ignited a passion for cookware that led to Borough Kitchen. And you can see why: A good, sharp chef’s knife makes onerous tasks like chopping onions feel downright joyful. It will take care of the vast majority of culinary prep, from dicing carrots to breaking down chickens.

Family-run since 1814, WÜSTHOF makes high-carbon stainless steel knives that are robust and durable, with laser-cut blades that are 20% sharper than standard German knives. They will retain those sharp edges for longer, too. Think of it as the ‘key’ to a novice cook’s next step in culinary confidence. (We recommend sizes 16cm and up, as they are the most versatile.)

Shop WÜSTHOF Classic Chef's Knife (from £71.00).

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Peugeot Maestro Pepper Mill Set

A team and customer favourite from the moment it launched, the chef-designed Peugeot Maestro Pepper Mill Set comes with a pepper grinder, interchangeable glass chambers, and three types of peppercorns (Kampot black pepper, Sikara white pepper, Voatsiperifery wild pepper). It also comes with a handy pen for marking the different peppers. You can use this mill to grind coriander seeds as well. It’s a great way for burgeoning chefs to experiment with different peppers and hone their tastes. It is also available as a single pepper grinder (£55).

Shop Peugeot Maestro u'Select Pepper Bar / Mill & Premium Peppers Set (£60.00).

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Borough Kitchen Cook School Gift Card (for One or Two)

Sometimes the best gifts don’t come in boxes – which is the case if you want to give someone you love a Cook School Gift Card for One, or better yet, join them with a Cook School Gift Card for Two. Our classes zero in on skills and techniques rather than recipes, so students learn how to develop their instincts as a cook. This is true whether the class taken is our signature Applied Knife Techniques class (featured in BBC Good Food and the Evening Standard) or a class explong regional cuisine, like our new Catalan Classics class. It’s especially useful if you’re looking for a last minute gift, as our digital gift cards are ready to send to you or your giftee immediately after purchase.

Shop Borough Kitchen Gift Cards (from £125.00)

Gifts for Confident Home Cooks

Blenheim Forge Full Tang Santoku

There are no knives like Blenheim Forge knives. These Japanese-style carbon steel knives are made by hand in South London, and have won the acclaim of eminent chefs like Gordon Ramsay and Francis Mallmann. Carbon steel is the ideal material for knives not because they are sharper than stainless steel knives, but because they stay sharp for longer, and are easier to restore to mint condition after knife sharpening. The downside is that they can rust, and therefore need to be rubbed with food-safe oil occasionally in order to prevent that outcome.

The new Blenheim Forge Full Tang Santoku – exclusive to Borough Kitchen – has a core of carbon steel, but is surrounded by layers of stainless steel, which makes it much easier to maintain (as there is no need to oil the sides of the blade, just the edge). It’s made from a single piece of metal that extends from the tip of the blade to the base of the handle (full tang), which makes the knife feel easier to control. The blade has a hammered finish, which creates air pockets that resist food sticking to the sides of the blade when chopping. We recommend it for confident chefs because it’s a truly premium Japanese knife, one that needs to be cared for, but is 100% worth it for cooks who understand the value of super-sharp carbon steel blades.

Shop Blenheim Forge Full Tang Santoku (£439.00).

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Kai Shun Classic Kiritsuke

The magic of a Kai Shun knife is in how it is made: 100 entirely manual steps that honour ancient Japanese tradition (which takes up 80% of the production process). We say ‘magic’ because that’s how it feels when a Kai Shun knife effortlessly cuts ingredients. This kiritsuke (15cm and up), called ‘the master chef’s’ knife in Japan, is versatile like a santoku – which you can use for the majority of prep tasks – with the added value of a pointed tip that will pare and fillet with ease. It is also available in a smaller 9cm size, comparable to a utility knife. Made with Kai Shun's signature VG-MAX steel core and 68 layers of Damascus cladding, it offers outstanding sharpness, durability, and a strikingly beautiful finish. The knife’s traditional Japanese craftsmanship, combined with the modern convenience of stainless steel, makes it ideal for culinary enthusiasts who value precision and artistry in the kitchen.

Shop Kai Shun Classic Kiritsuke Knife (from £129.00).

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Marcato Regina Pasta Extruder Maker

If you’re seeking a gift for a chef-y home cook who loves making homemade pasta, consider the Marcato Regina Pasta Extruder Maker. Made in Italy, this manual machine makes five shapes that are impossible to make by hand: bucatini, fusilli, macaroni, mini macaroni, and rigatoni. Homemade rigatoni Bolognese, bucatini all'amatriciana, macaroni and cheese will never be the same – and it’s a great tool for anybody who likes to cook with kids or friends. (See our guide on how to make extruded pasta using the Regina.)

Shop Marcato Regina Pasta Extruder Maker (£97.00).

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Gifts for Bakers & Pastry Makers

Mauviel M’Cook Bain Marie

Professionals and home bakers alike swoon over the Mauviel Bain Marie pan, a three-part pan that includes a tall saucepan, a porcelain insert, and a lid. Its function is to melt ingredients over gentle, indirect heat so chocolate doesn’t scorch and custards don’t scramble – and you can use it for savoury sauces as well, especially delicate ones like Hollandaise or beurre blanc. (See our article on four ways to use a Bain Marie pan.) But without the porcelain insert, it works as an extra-tall saucepan, with the excellent heat responsiveness and lifetime durability that has made Mauviel famous since 1830. Their M’Cook range of stainless steel pans are suitable on all hobs including induction. As a gift, it’s perfect for a loved one who adores baking and patisserie-making. This piece is exclusive to Borough Kitchen.

Shop Mauviel M’Cook Bain Marie (from £225.00).

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Ankarsrum Assistent Original Food Mixer

It’s a fact: There is no better stand mixer for bread than the Ankarsrum. Made in Sweden, this machine is designed to mimic the effect of hand-kneading, and can fit a whopping 5kg of dough at a time. There is no need to scrape down the sides of the bowl, and no ‘wobbling’ across the counter, as this is a robust, ultra-stable machine that is built for lifetime use. If you know somebody who loves to make (and share) cinnamon buns, homemade loaves, pizza dough, or any sweet treat – since the Ankarsrum does an equally good job for cakes, whipped creams, and the like – this is a generous gift that keeps on giving.

Shop Ankarsrum Assistent Original Food Mixer (£675.00).

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Gifts for the Best Dinner Party Hosts

Goyon-Chazeau Le Thiers Brasserie Steak Knife Set

The best steak knives are straight, not serrated – this ensures finely cut pieces that do not tear the meat. (The reason most people associate serrated blades with steak knives is because that’s the style often used in restaurants, which often do not have the time or resources to sharpen straight-edged table knives.) Made in France, this four-piece set from Goyon-Chazeau Le Thiers features curved juniper handles that have a lovely peppery scent. They are a must-have for the kind of dinner party host who irons their table linens and knows how to create a formal table setting (without Googling it first). They are exclusive to Borough Kitchen.

Shop Goyon-Chazeau Le Thiers Brasserie Steak Knife Set / Set of 4 / Juniper (£165.00).

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Bertozzi Pratoline Serving Bowl

Born in Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region, Bertozzi is a ‘stamperia’ that has mastered the art of painted and block-printed linens and ceramics, using a secret colour recipe that’s been passed down the family for a century. Made from finest Limoges porcelain, this Bertozzi serving bowl has been made by hand and has a unique pattern that depicts wildflowers – a perfect compliment to its uneven, organic edges. Gift it to someone you’ll love, and you’ll notice it on the table every time you dine at their house.

Shop Bertozzi Bowl / Porcelain / 25cm / Pratoline (£99.00).

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Zalto Balance Wine Glasses

Made in Austria using techniques that date back to the 14th century, Zalto’s feather-light wine glasses are 100% mouth-blown – no seams or joins. This creates a microscopically rough surface that disrupts wine’s organic compounds (in a good way), enhancing aroma and flavour. It’s no mystery that sommeliers and wine enthusiasts consider Zalto something of a cult classic. Their new Balance wine glasses have a unique, ultra-wide shape that softens the tannins in red wine and enhances fruity notes in all wines, including Champagne. This set of two is great for dinner party hosts who have multiple styles of glassware in their cabinets, or a loved one who has a passion for wine.

Shop Zalto Balance Wine Glasses / Set of 2 (£105.00).

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Gifts for Serious Coffee Lovers

La Pavoni Domus Bar Espresso Machine

You would be hard pressed to find an espresso machine this excellent for under £1000, but La Pavoni has made the impossible possible with the Domus Bar – which is exclusive to Borough Kitchen. The standout feature of this Italy-made espresso machine is its integrated coffee grinder, which decants freshly ground beans straight into the portafilter. It’s compact enough that we call it ‘London apartment–friendly’. (Plus, there’s no separate coffee grinder to take up additional space!) A steaming function lets you make excellent cappuccinos, flat whites, and macchiatos, so your new favourite cafe will be much closer to home.

Shop La Pavoni Domus Bar (£699.00).

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Fellow Stagg EKG Pro Pour-Over Electric Kettle

Fellow kettles are something of a cult classic among serious home coffee brewers, and it’s not just because of the distinctive gooseneck spout that allows for a consistent pour rate (very important for great coffee). It lets you choose your brew temperature (90-95°C is ideal for coffee), and hold that temperature steady for up to 60 minutes. The handle is counter-weighted, so it’s easy on your wrist as you pour, and best of all, there is a hidden feature: a game of Wormy, similar to the iconic Nokia game Snake, that you can play as you potter about in the morning. Available in a few different colours.

Shop Fellow EKG Pour-Over Kettle (From £165.00).

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The Best Gifts Under £50

Jars Tourron Olive Oil Bottle

Jars Ceramistes fires clay just once at a 1280°C temperature. Translation? Ultra-durable, eco-friendly plates, bowls and serving pieces that aren’t just beautiful – they will hold up to everyday use and work just as well for dinner parties. Their colours are vibrant yet subtle, inspired by France’s natural landscapes. We worked with Jars to design these exclusive olive oil bottles, featuring a two-tone finish that contrasts glazed and unglazed textures.

Shop Jars Tourron Olive Oil Bottle (£41.00)

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Gefu Fermenting Set

Whether you’re seeking a gift for someone on a health kick or a serious gourmand, the Gefu Fermentation Kit comes with everything that elevates a dabbler into a master of homemade pickles. It includes a glass jar, a lid with open and closed valve settings (for fermentation or storage), glass weights and tongs – streamlining the whole process. It’s a perfect gift on its own, or as an accompaniment to our Fermentation and Pickling cook school class.

Shop Gefu Fermenting Set / 4 Piece (£42.00).

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Microplane Professional Avocado Tool

Microplane tools are often called ‘life-changing’ or ‘the best’ – enough that recipes sometimes use ‘Microplane’ as a verb. What makes them stand out are patented, photo-etched blades. Traditionally used in woodworking, this creates sharp, long-lasting blades that slice, grate, and zest with the utmost speed and precision, with zero strain on your wrist. This remarkably clever (and effective) tool splits, pits, slices, and scoops avocados quickly and neatly. It’s the safest way to break down an avocado, and makes the perfect little stocking filler.