Serious Eats / Chloe Jeong
We (unsurprisingly) think food is a wonderful way to care for the ones you love. But, alas! You’re down to the wire for Valentine’s Day and don’t know quite what to get, what with the limited amount of things that’ll even come on time. So, we put together 14 of our favorite last-minute, food-related gifts (14 for the 14th, aren’t we clever). We included gift cards, things you’ll (probably) have to hop into your car to go get, and even some gear that’s won our equipment reviews that currently has Prime shipping (use your best judgment, though—depending on your area shipping times may be different).
A New Carbon Steel Skillet (with a Promise to Season it for Them)
Nothing says “our love has many layers” like a sturdy carbon steel pan, especially after you promise to build up a few layers of seasoning for them. We recently reviewed carbon steel skillets, and found that this model from Mauviel offered a comfortable handle and spectacular performance.
A Heart-Shaped Panettone
Olivieri has been making panettone since 1882 and their Valentine’s Day offering does not disappoint. (It’s available with fast shipping through Goldbelly and would make a fantastic Valentine’s Day gift). “I recently got this panettone and, wow, it smelled incredible as soon as I opened the box and it tasted even better,” says commerce editor Riddley Gemperlein-Schirm. The panettone features 55% Valrhona dark chocolate and little pockets of candied strawberries. It’s a twist on a classic pairing that’s very easy to eat all in one sitting.
A Month (Or Two) of Jasper Hill Cheese Club
Since shipments are sent the second or third week of every month, a subscription to the Jasper Hill Cheese Club is a wonderful way to say “of course I didn’t forget to go present shopping!” Each month brings the subscriber three different cheeses, favorite pairings, cheese tools, or “other sweet merchandise,” Jasper Hill says.
A New Baratza Grinder + A Mistobox Subscription (For Beans!)
Having your partner bring you coffee in bed is truly wonderful, and if you gift them a new coffee grinder and bean subscription, it could maybe (if you’re lucky) be a gift for you, too. The Baratza Encore is our favorite high-performance budget grinder, and Mistobox features subscription options for dozens of roasters. Currently the black Encore is available for Prime two-day shipping.
A Batch of Quick, Sous Vide Vanilla Extract and Baking Tools Tied with a Bow
If you want to say “nothing is sweeter than our love,” gifting a baking set is a nice way to let your loved one try and prove it. We love the GIR spatula and whisk for folding, whisking, and scraping batters, and with our sous vide vanilla extract recipe ready in hours rather than days, you can pull the kit together quickly. Just maybe avoid steering them towards our recipe for gâteau basque: it’s probably better not to try and measure your relationship up to that perfect desert.
A Set of Pasta Bowls, a Bag of Their Favorite Noodles, and a Bottle of Really Great Olive Oil
Why not set yourself up for a gorgeous pasta dinner with some of our favorite pasta bowls from Sweese. The porcelain adds a high-end feel while making the pasta the star of the plate. Pair the bowls with a nice olive oil and a fancy bag or box of pasta (of their favorite shape, of course).
A Set Of Stacking Bodega Wine Glasses (And A Bottle to Go with Them)
Who says date night has to be fussy and fancy? Grab a bottle of wine from your local shop, and cozy up to a nice puzzle or a movie at home with some short pours in these Bormioli Rocco Stackable Bodega Glasses. They’re sturdy, reliable, and a great casual way to share wine with a loved one, or a whole crew, should you decide the movie is boring and invite people over for an impromptu get together.
A Wine Decanter and Some Nice Glasses
There are times, and some wines, that do call for nice glassware. Experienced sommeliers helped us pick out these Riedel Vinum Grand Cru wine glasses as an excellent universal glass option, and when it’s a special occasion (Valentine’s Day comes to mind), why not pick up something high-end and decant it? This option from Riedel is well-priced and well-made, leaving more money to splurge on a bottle for the evening.
A Powerful, Long-Lasting Blender
Nothing says “our love will last forever” like a kitchen appliance that nearly does. With the Vitamix 5200 Professional-Grade Blender and its 7-year full warranty, you’ll be making smoothies and blending soups together for years to come. It’s been our top pick for many years.
A Full Cocktail Kit (And the Goods To Make Their Favorite Drink)
A well-made cocktail shows care and attention, so why not stock their bar and their barware? Build a perfect cocktail kit with a OXO Good Grips Mini Angled Measuring Cup, Crafthouse by Fortessa Stainless Steel Twisted Bar Spoon, and Cocktail Kingdom Usagi Cobbler Shaker, and surprise the giftee with everything to make their favorite cocktail as well. You can even pick up some pointers for better execution.
Pay for Their Favorite Knives to Be Professionally Sharpened
Sometimes, the most beautiful words you can tell your partner are “don’t worry, I hired a professional.” When it comes to sharpening knives, sending them off to a service like Carisolo Knife Sharpening means that their prized blades will have a new edge—a gift that keeps on giving.
The Best Cookbooks of Last Year
Last year was an amazing year for cookbooks, and most of our editor’s selections are available to ship fast or at a local bookstore. We suggest picking out a few of our favorites and, perhaps, tying them together with some kitchen twine. It’s rustic wrapping! It’s a last-minute hit!
A Gift Card to Their Favorite Local or Not-So-Local Potter
Sometimes the best gifts are the ones you don’t have to decide on. With a gift card to East Fork Pottery, you can let your loved one make the call on what mugs, plates, or bowls they want to buy. (You could also support a local potter.) We’re personally big fans of East Fork’s The Coupe plate in eggshell.
A Gift Card to the King Arthur Baking School (and Some Tools To Go With It)
A gift card from King Arthur flour (to use for a baking class!) is a lovely idea. We like the idea of a virtual baguette making class especially. Add a OXO Bench Scraper and Unicook Heavy Duty Ceramic Pizza Grilling Stone from our baguette tools round up for some bonus points. Either way, the gift card will allow your partner to browse classes first, and you can work on supplying them with what they need later, making this a great last-minute option.
FAQs
What can I do last minute for Valentine’s Day?
There are many different options for last-minute Valentine’s Day gifts, focusing on fast shipping or experiences or gift cards. Quick-to-arrive kitchen items are a great way to have something you can wrap, but gifting an experience or gift card can help you if you’re really down to the wire and need something fast.
What do you get someone for their kitchen for Valentine’s Day?
There are lots of romantic kitchen gifts for home cooks, like a new cookbook or carbon steel skillet (with a promise to season it for your giftee). You can find more of our gift recommendations here.
