The MTCC Gift Guide

Some Holiday Ideas for the Cook in Your Life

Hey y’all.

I wanted to send out a quick email with some gift ideas for this holiday season. If you’ve got someone in your life who loves to cook, you can’t go wrong with anything on this list.

Feel free to shoot me a message if you’ve got questions about any of them!

Myles

Smithey Skillets

I got my first Smithey skillet this year, and I’m a huge fan. Any cast iron enthusiast will tell you that vintage cast iron is much better than modern versions, and they’re mostly right. Smithey— based in South Carolina— is making American-made cast iron the old-fashioned way, and the quality of their craftsmanship is incredible. I have a cast iron skillet and a griddle from them, but I’m also a huge fan of this carbon steel farmhouse skillet they make. It’s a gorgeous piece that’s destined to become a family heirloom and would make a great gift.

If you’re looking for an option that's not so pricey, you can’t go wrong with a Made In Blue Carbon Steel pan.

Chef’s Knives

A chef’s knife is the most important tool in any kitchen, and a great one will last you forever.

There are so many options for knives that it’s hard to make just a few recommendations. You can check out my cookware guide for a bunch of info on the knives I have in my kitchen.

For this gift guide, though, I’m going to link to a few extra special and beautiful knives that I think would make great gifts.

• Kisuke Manaka Shirogami — gorgeous carbon steel chef’s knife.

• Sakai Takayuki Santoku — a beautiful multipurpose chef’s knife

• Veark x Magazin SK15 Santoku — super cool and unique knife with a modern industrial look

• Kazan Bunka — a cool cross between a santoku and nakiri knife with a beautiful cross-stitch pattern on the blade

• Warwood x Yu Kurosaki Gyuto — a one-of-a-kind knife with a Japanese blade and a handle made by a local woodworker here in Austin, Texas

The Best Olive Oil

I recently set out to find a source for the best-quality American olive oil out there, and I landed on Herb & Olive. It hit all my criteria— organic, extra-virgin, California-grown, packaged in dark glass bottles, harvest date listed, etc. And it tastes delicious.

This is phenomenal olive oil, and I use it daily. I also highly recommend giving their CBD-infused olive oil a try.

If you’re looking for exceptionally well-sourced single-origin oils from abroad, Grove & Vine has some cool options.

Gold-Plated Gray Kunz Spoon

I think that every home cook should own a basting spoon. These large spoons are ubiquitous in professional kitchens and are super useful for basting, plating, saucing, and a bunch more.

I found this gold-plated version that feels extra special and makes for a great gift. If you are looking for a stocking stuffer, the classic Gray Kunz spoon and Mercer plating spoons make great choices, as well.

PK Grills

I’ve been a charcoal enthusiast for many years now, and I think that PK Grills are the best grills I’ve owned by far. They’re made from cast aluminum, which holds heat much better than steel. They’re designed to be functional, durable, and last forever.

I own a PKTX and a PKGo. I like the PKTX because I can take it on the road. But if you’re looking for a grill that will stay at home, I highly recommend the new Original PK.

Stocking Stuffers

• Ramp Vinegar and Hot Sauces from Lindera Farms

• Single-origin squeeze bottle olive oil from Graza

• Spices and spice blends from Burlap & Barrel

• Hot sauces and salsa macha from Señor Lechuga

• Artisan soy sauce, vinegar, miso, and other goods from The Japanese Pantry

• Microplastic-free salt sourced from ancient oceans from Only Salt

• Amazing single-origin coffees from Sey Coffee