Highschool Graduation Gift

How about a grocery store gift certificate so that he can buy things to practice with. Good quality food can get expensive. you can give it in a cute card with a note that you will be a taste tester!! I would stay away from knives- they are a very personal thing. While I am not a chef I am very picky about my knives and other kitchen gadgets. I have also heard from chefs that they have to feel the knives in their hands to get a good idea if they like them and can work with them. It has to do with weight and balance.

Maybe foodnetwork.com would have some suggestions. I've learned how to cook watching their shows but I know the chefs have cookbooks and culinary tools too. Perhaps even tickets to a cooking demonstration in the area. Don't know any off the top of my head though. Or something totally different like a beach towel, volleyball and sunscreen for when he needs a break :-)

I'd suggest contacting the school to find out what type of knives the student will need. They can be very expensive and a gift card toward that might be a good idea.

I am really big on themes. So still go with the basket idea but instead of a laundry basket, buy a big pot and fill it up with cooking utensils, spices, cookbooks, etc. Or even by an apron and a knife set, wrap the knifes in the apron and tie a bow around it. Good luck and have fun with it :-)

How about a gift card or basket from Williams and Sonoma or another kitchen place? Or a wonderful backpack from Arei so he can carry all of he's books and stuff.

My daughter just graduated from college, and she was a stay at home student commuting to college. According to her, one of the best gifts I gave her was a new booksack with a three hole puncher, new ring binders, paper, highlighters of different colors, tape flags to coordinate with the highlighters, pens, sticky notes, bottled water and a cooler (she keeps her water to drink while commuting) she also brought her own lunch, so a gift card to a fast food joint or restaurant is nice, as are gas cards. My daughter looked forward to "restocking" at Christmas for the pens, paper and highlighters. Perhaps in this case an assortment of spices for "homework" might be a good idea too- spices and seasonings can add up!

Hi J.,
What about some culinary gifts that he can use for the future. (chef's aprons/jacket).

Or a Visa or Mastercard gift card or a gasoline card.

Other than cooking utensils, since he is living at home he probably already has access to, I agree with the others just ask if there is something he would like specifically.

How about a knife case/bag? I've seen them on food network before. Every chef carrys their own knives..and they have a case to carry them in. Maybe to soon for that since he's just going to school...but just a thought. Maybe contact the or a culinary school and ask them what type of items would be beneficial for a beginning chef.

Hi there!

For the chefs in my life, I've given pastry bags, chocolate kits, spatula sets, candy-making supplies...you get it. You can check out www.dovechocolatediscoveries.com/jennmartin and see if anything fills your fancy!

Also, if you decide to put it in a basket of sorts, run to Target and get some BAR MOPS...those are the BEST clean-up cloths that I've come across so far!

Make it a great day!
Jenn

How about a gift certificate with no date on it, for item/items at a culinary shop?

Ask the school or someone who goes to the school. Some colleges have chat rooms and you could go chat online to ask someone.

I know culinary school can be very expensive gas money may also be a good idea.

Good luck !

I would go ahead and ask the boy's parents (or even the young man himself) just what he needs for school. In culinary school, you do end up having to buy many supplies, but it's hard to guess exactly what items he'll need. Every school is different and many require specific items, so to be on the safe side, I'd just ask for a couple of ideas and choose from those. It might not be a complete surprise, but it will be useful and appreciated!

How about a nice mixing bowl with all sorts of kitchen gadgets? Maybe add a nice three ring binder so he can jot down any recipes he has created on his own.A gift card to a good kitchen store is another possibility. Hope that helps!

J.,
What about some cooking utensils?

Since he is going to culinary school, how about calling the school and finding out what tools/books a student needs to buy for the program? Maybe their uniform, hat? J. Gordon

if i were a young man going off to culinary school, i would want high quality kitchen gagets! hsn and qvc have great sales on high quality kitchen gagets! i know, because i'm a gaget girl! you can do flex pays or you can find him a really great one good pot/pan to cook in... personally, i like emeril's stuff. it's from All Clad, which is a high end company! good luck with your decision!

Chef's need good knives. Maybe call the school and see if they can give you a name of a good brand. Cutco has really nice knives but they are expensive. Either way you probably will only be able to get one for that price that is really nice.