21 delicious Christmas gifts for foodies

The best gift for serious cooks

This Temple & Webster Cast Iron Dutch Oven is a stunning gift for the foodie in your life — or for yourself. Available in a range of chic colours, it adds a joyful pop to any kitchen.

Thoughtfully designed, its lid features internal ridges that capture rising steam and redistribute it evenly, keeping dishes moist and perfectly tender.

Induction compatible and oven-safe to 240°C, it’s ready for roasting, ragus, or whatever the recipient’s heart desires. 

A premium gift for the muffin man (or woman) in your life

Even if they don’t know it yet, this is the ultimate gift for any home baker. You’ll be making their time in the kitchen a whole lot sweeter, and there’s a good chance you’ll reap the rewards with some delicious home baking, too.

The gift that gives back

One of our favourite gift ideas this season is something a little more thoughtful than your usual present. Allyson Gofton’s beautiful collection of recipes is all about sharing a little love through homemade goodness. Even better, your purchase supports Breast Cancer Cure, making this a gift that gives a little extra.

The best gift for the foodie who appreciates the finer things

For the foodie who loves discovering something a little different, this is a gift worth savouring. Giusti’s Monolegni collection takes you on a delicious journey through three distinct wood-aged balsamic flavours, each with its own unique character.

The best gift for the multi-faceted chef

For the home cook who loves a little flavour adventure, this collection from Apostle is a recipe for success. With everything from Chaat Masala to Kawakawa & Feijoa, it’s guaranteed to get their culinary imagination ticking.

The best gift for a little inspiration in the kitchen

Packed with delicious recipes, colourful photography and all those wonderful flavour combinations Yotam is famous for, without the fuss. Whether they’re whipping up a quick midweek dinner or taking their time over something special, this is one cookbook they’ll keep coming back to. Think simple ingredients, minimal effort and seriously good food – what’s not to love?

The best foodie gift for the sweet-toothed host

Indulge in the most decadent of treats from J’aime, New Zealand’s original macaron house. This beautifully boxed gift set of twelve macarons showcases four gourmet flavours: Florentine, with hints of caramelised honey and orange; Scorched Almond, featuring a rich milk chocolate ganache; Rhubarb Rose Trifle, complete with a jam-filled centre; and Champagne, paired with a delicately sweet buttercream. It’s the perfect gift to thank your host or a delightful addition to the dessert table.

The best gift for health and wellness lovers

If you know someone who likes to take their smoothies on the go, the Ninja Blast Max is the gift that will blend right into their routine.

Use it for a healthy snack, or to make piña coladas… it’s your prerogative. We’re not here to judge.

Colours: Cyberspace, Lavender Lemonade, Watermelon Bubble Gum, Blue Raspberry, Stone Mint.

The best, most delicious gift under $20

As a foodie, I can assure you, there is no dish that this Sichuan chilli oil can’t improve. I have on everything. Eggs? Tick. Ramen? Absolutely. Porridge? Make it congee, and hell yeah. The oil is simmered with cinnamon, star anise, cardamom, spring onions, ginger, garlic, cumin, fennel and sizzling Sichuan, then deeply infused with chilli. It’s spicy, fragrant and delicious. Team it with the Sweet Sesh hot honey for the ultimate gift pack. 

A stylish gift for foodies who love both form and function in their kitchen

The adult’s answer to an EZ Bake oven, this delightfully pastel Wonder Oven is a six-in-one cooker. Made without harmful PFAS, it can air fry, bake, roast, toast, broil and reheat all in the one appliance. Don’t be fooled by its cute-as-a-button appearance; it has more room than a standard air fryer (it can fit a whole chicken, in fact!)  and contains two racks for simultaneous cooking.

Colours: Spice pink, Blue salt, Charcoal, Steam

A versatile cookbook for lovers of Italian cuisine and British classics

We’re big fans of Stanley Tucci’s Disney+ series Tucci in Italy, and will be putting this cookbook on our Christmas lists this festive season. Featuring family-friendly dishes and stunning photography, The Tucci Table will captivate food lovers’ imaginations with recipes from Stanley’s traditional Italian roots as well as those of his British wife, Felicity Blunt. Recipes include Pasta Al Forno, Roasted Sea bass, Pan Seared Venison and British classics such as Shepherd’s pie and sausage rolls.  

Quite possibly the best fruit mince tarts in Auckland

Delight the mince tart connoisseur in your family with these 12 exquisite tarts, crafted with the Remuera bakery’s signature spice blend and buttery shortcrust pastry. Available for click-and-collect, they’re worth the trip.

The best gift for the chef with a taste for Spain

For the chef who wants to take their dishes beyond the basics, this gift set has everything you need to master the iconic Spanish dish. Packed with all the essentials for achieving that authentic flavour, it’s a little taste of Spain and the perfect excuse to get cooking. ¡Buen provecho!

The best gift for the home chef who already has every cooking utensil under the sun

These hand-made French candles are known for their highest quality: perfectly blended wax enhances the scent, and cotton wicks make for even burning. Buy this scented candle for the foodie in your life: it has the summer scent of a perfectly ripe tomato plucked from the vine. That might not be a candle scent you knew they needed, but trust us. 

A gift for the host or hostess with the mostess

The eyes eat first, so give your hosting-obsessed friend a platter that wows guests before the first bite. This polyresin piece makes a stunning base for everything from a charcuterie board to festive canapés. When it’s not serving food, its soft smoke pattern makes it beautiful enough to display on the table year-round. Pair it with the matching Pesce Resin Salad Bowl to complete the set.

Colours: White, Green, Amber, Black

The best gift for a beautiful kitchen

For the kitchen connoisseur who knows presentation is just as important as what’s on the plate. These playful tomato plate bring a little extra personality to the table, making even the simplest spread feel thoughtfully styled. Because a beautiful kitchen deserves food and serveware to match.

A cookbook gift for a friend starting out on their culinary journey

If you have a friend who’s consistently saving recipes on social media, this is the cookbook for them. With more than 70 sensational recipes that are, crucially, actually within the realms of our ability, this cookbook is at the top of our foodie wishlist. Containing inspiration to whip up impressive starters, delicious salads and hearty but healthy mains, it’s all about a good time and good food. Bonus: you’ll probably get to sample the delicious results. 

The best Christmas food hamper for serious carnivores

We all know that one foodie whose happy place is manning the barbecue, rain or shine. Treat them to a Large Butcher’s Box from The Meat Box – which does exactly what it says on the tin. Packed with sausages, rump steak, gourmet streaky bacon, a lamb roast, and a whole chicken, it’s incredible value for a Christmas food hamper at under $300. A gift they can actually eat? Perfect.

The best gift for making ice cream an every-night occasion

This one’s for the sweet tooths, aka those who never say no to the dessert menu. The Ninja CREAMi Swirl transforms almost anything into ice cream or soft serve, from frozen yoghurt to Mr Whippy-style treats. Add your favourite mix-ins or use frozen fruit for low-sugar, dairy-free options. Gym junkies can whip up high-protein soft serve. The possibilities are endless.

The best gift for budding baristas

Whether it be for the partner that brings you a latte in bed each morning or the friend with whom coffee-and-a-chat is a sacred ritual, gift them a machine that truly lets their caffeine maestro skills shine. This De’Longhi model is the Rolls-Royce of coffee machines. Its upgraded grinder and powerful steamer give every flat white an extra punch, while the sleek design is pure benchtop beauty. It even has a cold brew setting – perfect for summer.

The best food-themed decor

Bring the joys of an al fresco Italian lunch inside to your living room at all times of the year. This framed canvas print looks good enough to eat, and comes ready to hang. Thanks to the cotton and polyester-blend canvas and polystyrene-plastic frame, it’s light enough that it won’t damage the wall, making it renter-friendly. Live la dolce vita!