12 Nashville Chefs Share Their Go-To Culinary Gifts to Give
From kitchen gadgets to pantry staples they swear by, discover the clever gifts these Nashville chefs love to give.
Nashville’s top chefs spend their days crafting flavorful menus, mastering techniques, and sourcing the best tools and ingredients. So naturally, their go-to culinary gifts are next-level. From clever gadgets to pantry staples they swear by, these are the chef-approved presents they love to give for special occasions.
Executive Chef Samuel “Sam” Jett | Audrey
Chef Sam Jett keeps his gifting philosophy beautifully simple, saying his go-to gift is “a nice cast iron.” It’s the kind of heirloom-worthy piece that only gets better with time, and one every home cook should have. Whether you choose classic, pre-seasoned, or artisanal, a great cast-iron skillet is a gift that delivers decades of delicious meals.
Executive Chef James Ford | AVO
Chef James Ford believes great cooking starts with great tools. He tells us that a well-made knife or sauté pan is always a winning gift — useful and guaranteed to elevate any kitchen. For the home cook on your list, consider investing in one high-quality piece they’ll reach for every single day, such as this Mauviel copper sauté pan we’re lusting after.
Executive Chef Chris DeJesus | Butcher & Bee
When it comes to gifting kitchen tools, Chef Chris DeJesus keeps it simple and smart. His pick? The Dreamfarm Fluicer, a brilliantly designed citrus squeezer that folds flat, juices like a champ, and makes quick work of lemons, limes, and everything in between. It’s the kind of under-the-radar gadget chefs love … and home cooks quickly wonder how they ever lived without.
Chef & Partner Son Pham | Eleven11
Chef Son Pham has a soft spot for gifts with history. His pick? Vintage plating spoons. Perfectly weighted, beautifully worn, and full of character, they bring a touch of nostalgia to any kitchen. For the culinary enthusiast on your list, a unique vintage spoon makes a thoughtful, one-of-a-kind stocking stuffer. For example, here is a stunning set we found on Etsy!
Chef & Founder Adam Lathan | The Gumbo Bros
Chef Adam Lathan leans toward gifts that make every dish sing. His favorites are good salts or finishing oils. Simple, beautiful, and endlessly useful, they’re the kind of pantry upgrades that turn everyday meals into something memorable — no recipe required.
Executive Chef Jason Laiacona | Miel
“I make my own chili crisp every year for my staff and regulars who have come to anticipate it,” says Chef Jason Laiacona. And while most of us aren’t lucky enough to be on his personal gift list this season, you can still get in on the magic — try gifting a great chili crisp like Momofuku Extra Spicy Chili Crunch for a chef-approved stocking stuffer with a kick.
Executive Chef & Partner Dung “Junior” Vo | Noko + Kase x Noko
For Chef Junior Vo, great gifts are all about precision and craft. His pick: plating spoons — the sleek, chef-loved tools that help turn a dish into art. Whether used for saucing, swooping, or adding those final delicate details, they make any home cook feel like a pro. A simple gift with serious impact. The set below also includes tweezers for precision!
Executive Chef Michael Downing | Oak Steakhouse
For Chef Michael Downing, the best gifts are the ones that keep you inspired. His go-to? Cookbooks. Whether it’s a classic every kitchen should own or a new release from a favorite chef, he loves giving books that spark creativity. After all, few things fuel great cooking quite like fresh ideas on the page. Here’s one we love!
Owner & Chef Sarah Gavigan | Otaku Ramen
For Chef Sarah Gavigan, gifting is all about elevating the everyday. “A great knife is always a huge hit,” she says. It’s tried and true, practical, and guaranteed to be used. She also loves giving hard-to-find pantry items, like umami salt from Japan, a small but mighty upgrade that instantly transforms home cooking into something special.
Owner & Chef Vivek Surti | Tailor
Chef Vivek Surti’s favorite gift is as timeless as it gets (and so was his wedding, which we featured earlier this year!). He tells us he loves to gift “A pure granite mortar and pestle.” Heavy, durable, and unbeatable for grinding spices or making pastes, it’s a foundational tool in his kitchen — and a beautiful one to unwrap. For anyone who loves bold flavor, this classic piece is a gift that truly delivers.
Chef & Partner Will Mondros | Turkey and the Wolf Icehouse
Will Mondros opts for gifts that blend style and function, like a magnetic knife holder. It keeps blades safe, accessible, and beautifully displayed — a sleek upgrade for any kitchen wall (or countertop, like the one below!) and a gift cooks appreciate every single day.
Chef Christian Bryant | V Modern Italian
Chef Christian Bryant keeps his gifting playful yet practical: cookbooks for constant inspiration, or a small butane hand torch for making perfect at-home crème brûlée. Whether you’re sparking someone’s creativity or helping them master that iconic crackly top, his picks deliver equal parts fun and flavor.
Happy gifting!
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Jenna von Oy Bratcher
Jenna von Oy Bratcher is StyleBlueprint's Associate Editor and Lead Nashville Writer. The East Coast native moved to Nashville almost two decades years ago, by way of Los Angeles. She is a lover of dogs, strong coffee, traveling, and exploring the local restaurant scene bite by bite.