Shopping for your foodie friends is both appetizing and anxiety-inducing. Ogling over kitchen gadgets and fancy food seems carefree and fun—until you realize that the culinary-minded couple likely know way more than you do about all things wining and dining.
So what exactly do you give to newlyweds who spend their free time in the kitchen? The secret to surprising food lovers is to delight them with an unexpected experience. That comes in the form of high-end products, like caviar, or by purchasing kitchen and dining tools they may buy themselves, like a set of china dinnerware or gadget-filled espresso machine.
To help spark your imagination, here are nine gifts for foodie-focused couples.
Oyster shucking at home: Even the best of foodies may not have tried their hand at shucking oysters, at least not in the comfort of their own home. New York City–based oyster aficionado Rifko Meier hosts a private tutorial on all aspects of the delicious mollusks through his company, Oysters XO. (If you’ve ever been to a wedding or nonprofit fundraiser with the roving oyster shuckers who also pour tequila shots, that’s XO.) Each class includes three dozen oysters shipped straight to your door, plus equipment like oyster knives, condiment recipes, and a Zoom link for a one-on-one with the master himself, Chef Rifko. He firmly believes that more people should shuck at home, and will easily talk your ear off on regional oyster traditions in the U.S. or how to make a perfect oyster martini. (Hint: Have gin on hand.) Suggested retail price: $150
Chef’s knife: For any serious amateur chef, a proper Japanese-made knife is a welcome addition to the kitchen. Shun Premier’s eight-inch, razor-sharp chef’s knife works like a catchall—it will slice and dice a range of foods with ease. The brand is known as a lighter, swifter, and less tiring alternative to European-style knives, and it’s quickly gaining traction among in-the-know foodies who love to cook. Plus, the Pakkawood handle and Damascus cladding will look great on a magnetic holder. SRP: $238
Caviar: Nothing says luxe gift quite like caviar. Pearl Street, which sustainably sources sturgeon caviar from around the world, offers the Celebration Trio: a combination of Siberian Select, Ossetra, and Keluga caviar (30 grams each), plus the accoutrements for serving like French blini, crème fraîche, and, of course, mother-of-pearl spoons. If you want to go all out, send along a bottle of Champagne too. SRP: $195
Cast iron skillet: There are several options popping up for cast-iron cookware, but it’s hard to beat the O.G. heirloom skillet by Lodge. Crafted in a Tennessee foundry since 1896, this sturdy cast-iron cookware is built for longevity, durability, and versatility. Use the 12-inch classic skillet to sear red meat, roast a chicken, stir-fry vegetables, or bake a giant cookie—the options are endless. They arrive seasoned and ready to go, so even if you’re shopping for aspiring foodies, they’ll feel like a pro in mere minutes. SRP: $30
Boozy ice cream kit: We all scream for ice cream, especially the kind that involves bourbon. Tipsy Scoop, known for its alcohol-infused desserts, launched this ice cream–making kit to whip up its beloved strawberry rhubarb bourbon confection at home. Each kit includes the ingredients, bourbon, aprons, and recipe book for an Instagram-ready experience that will satisfy any newlywed sweet tooth. SRP: $85
Stand mixer: You’d be hard-pressed to find a registry without the KitchenAid stand mixer. It’s almost a rite of passage among newlyweds to acquire this convenient device. The Artisan Series five-quart, tilt-head mixer makes itself useful for everything from lemon meringue pie and chocolate chip cookies to shredded chicken for Taco Tuesday. Purchase a few attachments along the way to julienne vegetables, press fresh pasta, and squeeze your own sausage too. The variety of colors allows you to choose a vibrant hue that will fit the couple’s personality—or, at least, their backsplash. SRP: $399
Coffee system: One or two cups at the press of a button! Bring a barista-worthy cup to any newlyweds’ kitchen (or bedroom) with the Miele CM 5300 countertop coffee system. It may be a splurge item, but it’s well worth its price point. The machine will grind beans while preserving the flavor and aroma of coffee—important details for true coffee nerds—and offers a frothing option for crafting anything from a cappuccino to a latte macchiato. The device cleans itself after every use, but you can also pop the parts into the dishwasher for periodic deep cleaning. And if they are powering through a crazy workday, the system will also produce eight cups of drip coffee on one side while still making a single espresso on the other. SRP: $1,500
Pairing takeout with high-end wine: We’d guess your couple know a thing or two about wine, but did they ever try to pair the world’s best bottles with fast food? Luckily, Big Macs & Burgundy author Vanessa Price is sharing her favorite high-low duos in this kit, a collaboration with online wine experience company, Argaux. Ship the newlyweds four bottles of wine from different appellations and the hardback so they can select pairings to try on their next date night. It just might inspire a cheeky dinner party too. SRP: $175
China dinnerware: You’d be mistaken if you imagine foodies are focused on kitchen prep alone; they are just as interested in how to present the dish for consumption. Enter: proper dinnerware. This botanical-print bone china tableware from Hermès is a top-seller at luxury retailer Gearys, known for its registry service. Opt for a simple platter the newlyweds can use for the holidays or send the entire collection for a full-service dinner party. Those who love to host will thank you with an invite. SRP: Starts at $120