See also: hospitality presents, gifts for outdoor cooks

Today's kitchen appliances can make just about any cook look like a pro. In addition to making quick work of KP, these items are also fun to give: pasta machines, bread makers, Belgian waffle irons, rotisserie grills, food processors, yogurt makers, food dehydrators, frozen dessert makers, and malt mixers.

Most of the items on the cook's kitchen wish list can be found in two excellent cooking catalogs: Chef's Catalog: Professional Restaurant Equipment for the Home Chef (Phone: 800/338-3232. Internet: www.chefscatalog.com) and Williams-Sonoma: A Catalog for Cooks (Phone: 800/541-2233. Internet: www.williams-sonoma.com).

Give a gadget with the food on which it will be used: A zester with a basket of lemons or oranges, a melon baller with an assortment of fresh melons, or a cheese knife with a wedge of cheese.

For cooks that spend a great deal of time on their feet, give a pair of Bastad Tofflen Clog Company's original chef's clogs (available through Hammacher Schlemmer. Phone: 800/543-3366. Internet: www.hammacher.com.

Many cooks would enjoy a few culinary tips from the pros. If a trip to a French cooking school is not in the gift budget, give him a video cooking series.

Monogrammed gift boxes make nice gifts to cooks that give away their own food treats. Williams-Sonoma has a nice assortment of boxes, waxed tissue paper, and gift cards. Phone: 800/541-2233. Internet: www.williams-sonoma.com.

Local or specialized cookbooks are great gifts for cooks. Many of the best recipes for entertaining can be found in the Junior League cookbooks from all over the country.

Present Perfect: Unforgettable Gifts for Every Occasion is filled with gift ideas for cooks and everyone else on your gift list. In addition, you get tips on gifting etiquette, shopping, wrapping, special presentations, and much, much more. To order the book, click here.

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Have any gift ideas for cooks you'd like to share?