Maybe a gift card and catalog for a place like King Arthur Flour? I'm not much of a chef but I get inspired looking through that catalog! I assume it still exists -- I used to get it in the mail but haven't seen it in a while.

A friend of mine (who is a foodie and gourmet cook) loves Penzey's -- they have a catalog and a web site too.

A gift card to Williams Sonoma maybe? They seem to have it all! They're advertising free shipping on $49 or more right now, too.

Your son sounds like quite a guy! A hunky nature lover who cooks...wow!

Here is a link that might be useful: WS

How about a few different sizes of collapsible colanders? I have a mid size one for rinsing a smaller portion of veggies or berries and a large one for draining pasta or other. I know it doesn't sound exciting but it is something that would be used often and those big non-collapsible kinds take up so much room in the cabinet and dishwasher. Plus, easy to ship!

Thermapen instant read thermometer (Amazon is out of, but King Arthur has)

Polder digital scale

OXO angled measuring cup

OXO salad spinner

Polder 898-90 clock, timer, stop-watch(Amazon)

microplane zester

5 minute artisan bread cookbook (Amazon)

immersion blender

silicone pastry cloth

foil protectors to keep pie crust from burning

I requested (and received) this Cuisinart Immersion Hand Blender for my birthday. My daughter bought it for me in yellow--my favorite! I gave her one in stainless last Christmas, and she loves it.

ooohhhh some great ideas - thank you! He loves getting 'prizes', the family euphemism for little presents, so that's the only reason I want things instead of a gift card. We gave him some cash for a trip to San Francisco - a special good-bye with his girlfriend before he moves :( they left this morning. And I'm SURE he's going to scout out food/kitchen stores there!

sueb20 - great idea! I just signed him up to get the King Arthur catalog and I forgot all about Penzy's - doh!

stinky he IS quite a guy, thanks! He's grown into a man of character and heart and is a really likable, interesting person.

jterrilynn I love that idea and you're so right about what space hogs colanders are. I'm sure he has at least one colander already but it was probably bought used and this will be a nice upgrade for him.

lizbeth-gardener I had to laugh because he HAS an instant read thermometer, a microplane, an immersion blender, a salad spinner...... he REALLY likes to cook! But I bet he doesn't have a scale and probably doesn't have a timer so those are perfect. Baking in the desert in CA is going to be very different than baking in a high altitude rain forest in WA - he'll have to measure/weigh carefully and be on his toes with timing!

alisande he actually has that same immersion blender - I had no idea they came in colors!

From the sounds of it your son and my son in law could be twins. He loves to cook, brew beer and collect different spices, would have had the same profession too if it were in the cards. I also did the mocajete and tejolete. Too funny, I could have written your post.

My SIL collects cook books, loves gift certificates from Midwest Brewing supplies (http://www.midwestsupplies.com) and he also buys special and unique spices from the Spicehouse.com. Maybe you can get him some extra parts for his KA mixer, I love having an extra bowl and mixing spatula. I also enjoy using an electric skillet which aren't as popular these days but sure do come in handy.

A subscription to Cooks Illustrated.

I saw the set I've linked below advertised the other day. One of the two spatulas is engineered to be exactly the same curve as the bowl of a Kitchen-Aid mixer. The other has a special notch and edge to get every bit of whatever out of a jar. I thought they were so cool and exactly the kind of thing a cook might not have.

Here is a link that might be useful: New Spatula

Here's another idea, although it's not very eco-friendly since it takes batteries. My father received one for Christmas. Anyway, the unique feature is that you just tilt the mill over the food and it automatically grinds the pepper. You can use it for salt, too. The grind size is adjustable. Great for one-handed seasoning while cooking.

Here is a link that might be useful: Pepper Mill

What kind of cutting board does he have? I finally treated myself to a Boos board this year. I still have a collection of older boards in the cabinet for various uses, but the Boos sits countertop for daily use.

Here is a link that might be useful: John Boos boards

My first thought was Penzey's too. Tellicherry pepper, fleur de sel, I'm in heaven!

How about cheese labels?

Here is a link that might be useful: Porcelain cheese labels

lukkiirish how funny that your SIL and my DS are so similar! I haven't had an electric skillet in years but I agree they can be very convenient. Is there such a thing as a 'quality' electric skillet? I remember all of mine being made of very thin material.

Fun2BHere those spatulas are very nice - I think he'd really like those. Not so much on the pepper mill, though since his job is all about environmental work with the national parks! He has to audit energy use, make recommendations for recycling and other ways to protect the environment - battery operated gadgets would not look good!

natal I bought him a small Boos board a few years ago - found it at Home Goods for a great price. I don't even have a Boos board!!!

javachik he loves playing with salts from different parts of the world so Penzeys is a great options for him.

Thanks for all the great suggestions.