The Best Valentine's Day Gifts for Cooks and Food Lovers

Attractive Organizational Tools

If you've been living in a tight space with your partner, the clutter is probably starting to feel like little piles of chaos all over your house. That's why this Valentine's Day, no gift is sexier than organization solutions. This colorful container set by Mepal is perfect for storing leftovers and nests nicely for when they're not in use. They're also microwave- and dishwasher-safe, so you can spend less time at the sink and more time on the couch where you belong.

For something that will de-clutter your coffee corner and look nice out on the counter, try these stoneware canisters from Le Creuset. As always, they come in a number of colors and sizes. As always, they are beautiful. And if their storage system is in need of a serious organizational overhaul, why not give them a metro rack?

Mepal Microwavable Nested Storage Bowls

Buy on Food52

Le Creuset 2.5-Quart Stoneware Canister

Buy on Amazon

Whitmor 4-Tier Chrome Shelving

Buy on Amazon

An Instant-Read Thermometer

Every cook needs a great instant-read thermometer. And if your special someone doesn't have one, well, then it's a no-brainer gift. This one from ThermoWorks is our favorite. You can read all about why having an instant-read thermometer around is well, well worthwhile here.

ThermoWorks Thermapen ONE

Buy on Thermoworks.com

A Waffle Iron

No giftee will ever turn their nose up at a nice waffle maker (and perhaps a heaping stack of waffles to go along with it). We tested a whole bunch of waffle irons, both Belgian-style and American, and our winners will not disappoint. Pick up either of our winning picks for perfectly crisp waffles with fluffy insides and plenty of divots for maple syrup and melted butter. Should you be needing a great recipe, we can help you there, too. I'm partial to these buttermilk vanilla ones, but we have plenty of options to choose from.

All-Clad Belgian-Style Waffle Maker

Buy on Amazon

Breville American-Style Waffle Maker

Buy on Amazon

Something Sweet

Sweet gifts are always acceptable on Valentine's Day, but make sure they're the right ones. Skip the grocery store boxes and pick up chocolate that is actually good, like these tins of hot chocolate from Spicewalla or the deep, dark Pralus chocolates that Stella likes to gift. Or try something a little different like this grape jelly from Gustiamo. (I've used it as jelly on toast but also as a sweetener in tea.) It's the little things that'll make your partner's day a bit better. With these, you really can't go wrong.

Spicewalla Valentines Haute Chocolate Collection

Buy on Spicewallabrand.com

La Nicchia Zibibbo Grape Elixir

Buy on Gustiamo.com

Pralus Pyramide des Tropiques Dark Chocolates

Buy on Amazon

A Great Coffee Grinder

If your favorite coffee drinker is still using a blade grinder for their coffee beans, then they're missing out on better brew. Solve that by getting them a burr grinder! After extensive testing, we have five favorites, but think this grinder from OXO is the best for most people.

OXO Brew Conical Burr Coffee Grinder

Buy on Amazon

Really, Really Nice Copper Cookware

Last year, Daniel did a deep dive into copper cookware: how copper pans are made, the pros and cons of owning one, and how to clean and care for it if you do. Here are some things we learned: Copper cookware is expensive; it requires a fair amount of maintenance; and it's absolutely gorgeous. If you have the capital and are looking for a truly special gift for someone who's devoted to having the very finest cookware (and who will delight in the maintenance process), a copper saucepan is the ultimate choice.

Daniel's recommendations for quality copper cookware brands—ones so reliable, they may even outlive your relationship (sorry)—include Mauviel, de Buyer, and Duparquet. They're so pretty that gift wrap should be optional.

Mauviel 1.9-Quart Copper Saucepan

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De Buyer 1.9-Quart Copper Saucepan

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An Affordable Pasta Pot

That being said, you shouldn't have to shell out big for a useful piece of cookware. Take Daniel's favorite pasta pan, for example. It's under $40 and the perfect vessel for achieving superbly sauced pasta (you know, glossy from all that starchy pasta water) right at home.

Winco Aluminum Stir Fry Pan,11-Inch

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A Gift Box Made By Us

If you want to spice up your giftee's pantry, try out this two gift box customized especially for our readers. How can you be bored if you're whipping up spaghetti con la colatura with colatura straight from Italy or spooning pistachio paste straight from the jar?

Gustiamo Serious Eats X Gustiamo Holiday Gift Box

Buy on Gustiamo.com

Meat

Another way to beef up your cooking repertoire? (Heh!) More meat. Start with some 'nduja, our favorite spreadable salami. Spoon it into mac and cheese, spludge some onto your cheese plate, whizz it into your mayo. (Can you think of anything more romantic?)

Actually, yes. I can. The only thing more romantic is our duck project. For less of an extended time commitment, pick up a whole duck and either roast it whole or pan-sear the breasts and confit the legs. It's a labor of love for your love...that you will also love.

Tempesta Nduja

Buy on Amazon

D'Artagnan Whole Rohan Duck

Buy on Dartagnan.com

A New Salt Box

A good gift shouldn't have to be expensive. Take this salt box, for example. It's pink (so it fits our theme), it's functional, and it's an under-$50 gift that your special someone will reach for every day. Of course, if you're not into pink, there are plenty of other colors available. We're also fans of this salt pig from Emile Henry.

Need more convincing? Daniel made the case for why every house needs a salt crock, and this lidded version in particular will serve you well. It'll keep unwanted moisture or dust from making its way into your salt. And since you might care, it'll look really nice sitting by your stove.

Zero Japan Salt Box

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Emile Henry Oak Salt Pig

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For the Kids: A New Book

While I don't myself have children, I am reminded that kids like to receive Valentine's Day gifts, too. If you want to skip the chocolates (do they really need so much sugar every day?), pick up Kenji's book, Every Night Is Pizza Night. I read pretty often for my four-year-old niece and this book is a welcome reprieve from Disney. Plus, the illustrations and story are fun enough for any adult to enjoy.

Every Night is Pizza Night

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For the Adults: Better Cocktails

Like they always say, the couple that drink together...drink together. So why not make your happy hours a bit more sophisticated with a set of new glassware? We love these shapely whiskey glasses by Schott Zwiesel. Sure they call for whiskey, but you can use them for any type of cocktail you want to mix up.

Schott Zwiesel Dancing Party Tumblers (Set of 2)

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Something Hot

Should your giftee be a hot sauce lover, we have quite a few suggestions. There's Shaquanda's Hot Pepper Sauce, a Brooklyn-born brand founded by Andre Singer (Shaquanda Coco Mulatta). There's also Mama Lam's, a Malaysian hot sauce with a dried chile kick. Of course, you could also heat things up yourself by making a batch of chili crisp. Just prepare for the inevitable fight when there's only a spoonful left.

Shaquanda Will Feed You Hot Pepper Sauce

Buy on Shaquandawillfeedyou.com

Mama Lam's Malaysian Traditional Hot Sauce

Buy on Umamicart.com