From Food Network cookbooks to sequined pillows, stickers, and aprons, these are some of the best Food Network gifts the Internet has to offer.
Buying gifts for Food Network fans can be tricky. Are they ride-or-die for Alex Guarneschelli and Anne Burrell or do they see a scary part of themselves in Alton Brown's Cutthroat Kitchen persona? Are they more of a Worst Cooks fan or are they just obsessed with Chopped? Do they actually like cooking or do they consider it more of a spectator sport?
Have no fear — I've got plenty Food Network gifts for all kinds of Food Network fans!
Basically, this post exists because I recently went down a rabbit hole of Food Network merch looking for the perfect Food Network gifts for a Food Network obsessed friend.
There's weirdly not a lot of "official" Food Network branded merchandise out there (mostly there's some kitchen tools and dinnerware you can buy at Kohl's) — though there is some — and I found so many great Food Network gift ideas that I just had to share the best with you all.
1. From Scratch: The Uncensored History of the Food Network
This book chronicles the history of the first 20 years of the Food Network and how it came to be. It's an easy read with some truly wild anecdotes that Food Network fans will truly appreciate. (Did you know one time Food Network accidentally aired porn??)
OG Food Network fan favorites like Bobby Flay, Rachel Ray, Giada de Laurentiis, and Emeril Lagasse make some early appearances too — and even the most knowledgable Food Network fan might be surprised to learn how they got their starts (and why Emeril is no longer associated with Food Network).
2. An I'm with ICAG t-shirt so they can declare their allegiance to the one and only Iron Chef Alex Guarnaschelli
ICAG stands for "Iron Chef Alex Guarnaschelli." She's my personal fave Food Network chef. You can find Alex on Chopped, Iron Chef, The Kitchen, Supermarket Stakeout, and one season of Worst Cooks in America. She also used to host her own show, Alex's Day Off.
Any Food Network fan will be glad to declare their allegiance to the great ICAG with this t-shirt. (Sizes go up to 5X!)
3. Bring good vibes to their kitchens with this Guy Fieri Patron Saint of Flavortown Candle
This Guy Fieri Patron Saint of Flavortown candle is the perfect gift for any Food Network fan who worships at the alter of triple-D, (Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives) and triple-G (Guy's Grocery Game). In fact, you may want to buy them three of these candles just to stay triple on theme.
Scents available: Unscented, Citronella, Cocoa Cashmere, Fire Fly, Penny Lane
4. This cheeky sticker inspired by Ina Garten's most popular catchphrase
Few things are more soothing and serotonin-enriching than a few back-to-back episodes of Ina Garten's Barefoot Contessa show on Food Network. When Ina reassures you that it's okay to make things easier on yourself with her iconic: "store bought is fine" line, it's basically self-care.
5. A beautifully decorated cake straight from Duff Goldman's Charm City Cakes
Duff Goldman is known as the Ace of Cakes — for good reason! His Charm City Cake shops in Baltimore and LA regularly produce some truly amazing, beautifully decorated cakes. And now, thanks to Goldbelly, you can give the gift of real Charm City Cakes delivered straight to your favorite Food Network fan's door.
6. A soft white t-shirt which lists all the main Chopped judges (and host Ted Allen)
I'm pretty sure it's a rule that you can't be a fan of Food Network and not have watched at least one all-day Chopped marathon. Give the gift of a cozy white t-shirt that lists all the main Chopped judges so your friend can quickly find all the other Food Network fans in the vicinity every time they wear it. (Sizes go up to 5X!)
7. These Anne Burrell stickers for decorating laptops and water bottles
Chef Anne Burrell is a fantastic chef and a great teacher — it's one of the things her fans love most about watching her coach recruits on Worst Cooks in America. She has a way of making cooking terminology — like mise en place — stick in your brain. If you're looking for Food Network gifts for an Anne fan, they will love these removable, vinyl cut, super durable, and water resistant stickers for their laptop or water bottles. (Stickers available in 3 sizes!)
Buy Chef Anne sticker here!
Buy Mise en Place sticker here!
8. Alex Guarnaschelli's signature 5" cleaver is a must have addition to any Food Network fan's knife block
And I do mean signature literally — Alex's handwritten signature appears on the knife blade.
9. A gift card to visit one of their favorite Food Network chefs' restaurants
I've been to over a dozen restaurants owned by chefs I'd seen on Food Network and have yet to have a bad meal. This is a bit trickier to source as a gift because it depends a little on where your friend lives or is visiting, but here's a few that were particularly memorable:
- Mesa Grill by Bobby Flay (Las Vegas)
- Butter by Alex Guarnaschelli (NYC)
- Chauhan Ale & Masala House by Maneet Chauhan (Nashville)
- FLIP Burger Boutique by Richard Blais (Atlanta)
- Scopa Italian Roots by Antonia Lofaso (Los Angeles)
- Fun fact: Scopa inspired my recipe for Giant Stuffed Arancini!
- Charm City Cakes by Duff Goldman (Baltimore)
- Osteria Mozza by Nancy Silverton (Los Angeles)
- Guy Fieri's Vegas Kitchen by Guy Fieri (Las Vegas)
You may need to do some creative Google searching to find a restaurant your friend can actually get to, but there are a lot more out there. To cast a wider net, consult this map of Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives Locations and consider a gift card to a restaurant featured on triple-D!
10. This Guy Fieri Sequin Pillow for anyone who loves bold flavors and bold home decor
Do I even need to explain this one? IYKYK.
(Available in black or gold and with or without the pillow insert.)
11. This portrait of Bobby Flay and his cat Nacho badly drawn on a t-shirt
If you're an FOF (Fan of Flay, an acronym I literally just made up) then you know that Bobby Flay's gloriously orange Maine Coon cat Nacho is a legend in his own right. He's even got his own Instagram and cat food brand!
This shirt from the aptly named "Badly Drawn Celebrities Shop" on Etsy features a line drawing of the celebrity chef and his feline companion. (Sizes up to 3X!)
12. A copy of The Chopped Cookbook: Use What You've Got to Cook Something Great for some great dinner inspo
The best gift for a Food Network fan who also loves cooking is undoubtedly The Chopped Cookbook. I can't speak to how practical the recipes are — Chopped baskets are notoriously out there. But as far as Food Network gifts go, your friends will definitely appreciate being able to bring a little of that Chopped magic into their own kitchens.
Bonus: Get them a Chopped-style silver cloche to reveal their best dishes!
13. This Chopped apron is a reminder to always cook with urgency
The best part of any Chopped marathon is when that clock starts counting down and the chefs have only just started to plate their food. The tension! The rush! The wontons! It's great! With this apron all they have to do is look down to see Chopped judges Scott Conant, Chris Santos, and Aarón Sánchez urging them on to get their food plated ASAP.
14. A cookbook by one of their favorite Food Network chefs
There are so many to choose from! Here's some of my favorites to give as gifts:
- Aarti's Paarti: An American Kitchen with an Indian Soul by Aarti Sequeria (Guy's Grocery Games, Aarti Party, The Next Food Network Star)
- Southern Girl Meets Vegetarian Boy: Down Home Classics for Vegetarians (and the Meat Eaters Who Love Them) by Damaris Phillips (Guy's Grocery Games, The Bobby and Damaris Show, The Next Food Network Star)
- 101 Asian Dishes You Need to Cook Before You Die: Discover a New World of Flavors in Authentic Recipes by Jet Tila (Cutthroat Kitchen, Beat Bobby Flay, Guy's Grocery Games)
- Cook with Me: 150 Recipes for the Home Cook by Alex Guarnaschelli (Chopped, Supermarket Stakeout, Iron Chef America)
- Chaat: Recipes from the Kitchens, Markets, and Railways of India by Maneet Chauhan (Chopped, Food Network's Tournament of Champions)
- Sunny's Kitchen: Easy Food for Real Life by Sunny Anderson (The Kitchen)
- Cook Like a Rock Star: 125 Recipes, Lessons, and Culinary Secrets by Anne Burrell (Worst Cooks in America, Iron Chef America)
- Mastering the Art of Japanese Home Cooking by Morimoto (Iron Chef America)
- The Great Grilled Cheese Book: Grown-Up Recipes for a Childhood Classic by Eric Greenspan (Cutthroat Kitchen, Iron Chef America)
- Modern Comfort Food: A Barefoot Contessa Cookbook by Ina Garten (Barefoot Contessa)
- Everyday Italian: 125 Simple and Delicious Recipes by Giada de Laurentiis (Next Food Network Star, Giada at Home, Everyday Italian)
15. An all-purpose 5" full tang santoku knife by Iron Chef and Chopped judge Geoffrey Zakarian
Much to my surprise, Geoffrey Zakarian actually has a huge line of products available through QVC including some really nice gift sets of spices and oils and wines.
But when it comes to gift giving, I'd go for this this 5" Santoku knife because of the full tang — the piece of metal from the blade that extends into the handle. A full tang means the metal stretches all the way back to the end of the handle, making this knife very sturdy and well-balanced. Just as sharp as Mr. Zakarian himself.
A high quality knife at a great price point (less than $20!) that any Zakarian-stan (do they call themselves that?) would appreciate as a gift!
For more of my product roundups and gift guides click here. For a master list of my favorite kitchen tools click here.
Anything I missed? Share your favorite Food Network gifts in the comments!
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