Culinary school graduation gift - ideas needed!

[SeaSpray]

DS20's girlfriend graduated from Johnson & Wales college today. She went for culinary. She works as a cook at her parents' restaurant but she really loves to bake. DH and I would like to get a graduation present for her. Any ideas?? She LOVES Disney; would it be corny to buy some of the Wilton Disney character-shaped cake pans for her??? Obviously cash is always a welcomed gift, and we'll do that if we can't come up with an actual gift idea. Thanks for any ideas!

 

[Cindy B]

I would suggest a nice set of knives--provided that she doesn't have a decent set already. I know they can get expensive, so maybe only one knife... from what I have heard the very good professional knives can run $100's of dollars for ONE!

 

[FINFAN]

I don't think that would be corny, but I was going to suggest an engraved set of special kitchen tools? I don't know what a basic set or type is ( maybe your DS could do some sluething on that) even if it is a nickname, her initials and graduation date...something along those lines? We have a store called things engraved and you can take items from other places there to get personalized etc., maybe wrapped up in a disney apron with her name on it? Or wait, a Chef Mickey hat!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I would suggest a nice set of knives--provided that she doesn't have a decent set already. I know they can get expensive, so maybe only one knife... from what I have heard the very good professional knives can run $100's of dollars for ONE!

They get a beautiful set of knives in school!

What about a Kitchen Aid mixer? (Maybe you can go in on it with your son?) Or a really great baking book?

 

[Tink888]

DS20's girlfriend graduated from Johnson & Wales college today. She went for culinary. She works as a cook at her parents' restaurant but she really loves to bake. DH and I would like to get a graduation present for her. Any ideas?? She LOVES Disney; would it be corny to buy some of the Wilton Disney character-shaped cake pans for her??? Obviously cash is always a welcomed gift, and we'll do that if we can't come up with an actual gift idea. Thanks for any ideas!

I decorate cakes (just for hobby). The only bad thing about themed cake pans is they will only be used if she is making that type of cake.

I don't think that would be corny, but I was going to suggest an engraved set of special kitchen tools? I don't know what a basic set or type is ( maybe your DS could do some sluething on that) even if it is a nickname, her initials and graduation date...something along those lines? We have a store called things engraed and you can take items from other places there to get personalized etc., maybe wrapped up in a disney apron with her name onit? Or wait, a Chef Micket hat!

Great suggestion!!

They get a beautiful set of knives in school!

What about a Kitchen Aid mixer? (Maybe you can go in on it with your son?) Or a really great baking book?

She would get a lot of use from this!!

What about a Chef Mickey hat or Disney themed apron along with some Disney themed kitchen accessories (oven mits, measuring cups, etc) for her home kitchen?

Different size and shape cake pans and non-themed Wilton accessories are also great. Building up a good set does get expensive and she'll use them. If you have a Michael's near you, sign up on their website and they'll send you weekly coupons for 50% off that you can print off of your computer.

 

[MissUndastood]

I would get a GC to a place like Williams Sonoma or give cash.

 

[antmaril]

A gift card to Sur La Table might be nice.

 

[nmmom95]

I would get a GC to a place like Williams Sonoma or give cash.

Some kitchen items, like knives are not really "one size fits all." I'm not a chef, but it took me forever to find a good set of knives that felt comfortable. With a GC or cash, she can buy what she likes.

 

[ChristmasElf]

When in culinary school, they receive a kit that has all the utensils needed along with a set of high quality knives.

A GC to Williams Sonoma (which if she takes her school ID in with her, she will get and additional 10% off)
Kitchen Aid mixer would also be a great gift although this will set you back at least $269 and that's if you pick it up at a Costco or Sams club.
If you have a cake supplies store nearby, you could stop in there and see if they have gift certificates to give her so she can pick out what she needs.

 

[Rora]

I think your idea is cute!

I'm sure she probably already has one but... a nice Kitchen Aid Mixer?

 

[Lorem Ipsum]

I would not want to get her something to do with cooking because I would be concerned that I would not be able to get her something that SHE wants.

I would get a box of Hamburger Helper and put money in it.

 

[LuvCuteBoys]

I like your idea as well as the Disney-themed items someone else mentioned. GCs and cash are great, but personally it means more to me when someone picks out specifically for me.

I'm sentimental... and it's hard to associate what I bought with a gift card to the person who gave me the card. I like to smile and think of the person who bought me the item when I see it/use it.

 

[Lorem Ipsum]

I base my recommendation for cash based on this:

I love Disney. (As I am sure most of us here do).

Anytime someone wants to get me something I end up with Disney trinkets.

I don't like Disney trinkets. I am an avid fan who likes vintage Disneyland, attraction art, and the Haunted Mansion.

To me, she is an avid cook/baker.

I imagine that what I would end up getting for her would amount to another drug store Mickey piece of mass produced...stuff.

YMMV, IMHO, some restrictions may apply.

 

[luvmy3]

What about a good quality personalized apron along with a GC to WS. You could probably find a Disney themed one or even have a Mickey Head emboidered on it.

ETA My SIL is a culinary graduate, and she loves her kitchen gadget/utensil gifts.

 

[Fire14]

MY BFF is a Culinary grad. and She loves her Mickey kitchen items I got her for her personal kitchen. She also always dreams of the kitchen aide mixer she doesn't have.

 

[stargazer2892]

A gift card to La Sur La Table is awesome because she gets an extra 15% off because she went to JWU. or is it because she works in the industry? I can't remember which one all I know is DH gets it. She probably does not need any more knives, she had to have nice ones for school for school. I would go with either the gift card or the Kitchen Aid since she likes to bake and it's probably not something she would buy for her self.
Edited to add, just talked to DH he said he wished he got more money to put in savings to help start to pay off his loans!!!

 

[lizabu]

I'm also a graduate from culinary school and worked as a Chef for a number of years. I would never buy a knife for another person because preferences vary so greatly. I know I have a deep love for good cookbooks. French Laundry and Alinea cookbooks are a couple of my favorites. A subscription to a cooking magazine such as Fine Cooking is a good thing too. It can help when you are planning so many menus to flip through a magazine with tons of seasonal recipes. Sometimes I actually cook something from the magazine other times a picture will remind me of something else I want to do or jog a memory. When you work in a restaurant you often have to come up with a special of the day, a pasta or the day and a soup of the day every day (or almost every day) and you can start getting bored and want to come up with a fresh idea.

 

[SeaSpray]

Thanks so much for all of the ideas, everyone!!

I'll have to ask DS about the Kitchen Aid mixer to see if she has one already. She probably doesn't have her own, but her family probably has one at the restaurant and/or at their home.

I love the idea of the Disney themed kitchen utensils and I wish I was at WDW right now because I remember seeing a lot of cute ones at a shop in Epcot. I wonder if these can be ordered

I also like the idea of something engraved or personalized, but I'd have to ask DS what he thinks she would actually use. I guess an apron is always a good choice since that is something she uses almost every day. I wonder if there's a place to get an apron embroidered with her name and a Mickey Mouse head or some other Disney character.

Thanks for the info about the knives; I know that even with the small amount of cooking that I do in my own kitchen I have knives that I prefer to use. I can imagine if you're doing this as a profession that you'd really want to have specific knives for specific tasks.

She is in England right now visiting a friend, so I won't see her for at least another week or two, so I have time to get something nice. Thanks again for all of the ideas!