I Gave This Cute Apron to My Mom—And It’s Become My Go-To Kitchen Gift

If there’s one kitchen gift that everyone could use (besides a great knife), it’s an apron. Yes, they are actually practical! Professional cooks use them to keep clothes clean during the chaos of restaurant service, and they come in handy for home cooks who tend to a burbling pot of red sauce on Spaghetti Wednesdays. Plus, most people don’t have an apron, so badabing, it’s the perfect gift. My favorite apron to give is this beauty from Hedley & Bennett that I tested and named a winner in my review.  

Why It’s a Great Gift 

Hedley & Bennett Smock Apron

View on Hedleyandbennett.com View on Cookswarehouse.com

I’ll start with an anecdote: I gifted this airy smock apron to my mom in the poppy fields pattern, and not only did her eyes light up like it was the grandchild she’s been pining for, but also she immediately tossed it over her head and beamed. She looked adorable, if I do say so myself. She’s keen to tell me, months later, that it’s been a game-changer when she cooks, keeping her clothes pristine and also letting her keep her phone in a front pocket for setting cooking timers (and texting me).

I have a Hedley & Bennett smock apron myself, and named it a winner in my tests for a few reasons. One, it’s roomy and fits all kinds of bodies. It drapes easily over your clothes, and the criss-cross straps keep it secure but not uncomfortably tight. It’s also a good length, covering from the top of my chest to my knees on my five-foot-four figure, and keeps burbling tomato sauce and immersion blender soup splatters from staining my clothes. Finally, as I mentioned, the two roomy pockets in the front are great for holding a phone, thermometer, sauce spoon, or any other kitchen gadgets you want to have on hand. It also comes in a ton of colors and patterns—the harissa red is gorgeous—so you can pick the perfect apron for your gift recipient. 

Other Go-To Kitchen Gifts

• Everyone uses salt—or at least, they should!—thus everyone could use a salt cellar. This one from Zero Japan is my favorite and is my go-to; plus it comes in a bunch of colors (the artichoke green is calling to me).
• These striped napkins from Hawkins are so pretty, and they happen to be our winner, too! Win-win.
• If I don't know what to get someone, chances are I'll end up getting them a box of these chocolate mice. They're adorable, delectable, and the chocolate is silky smooth.
• I love my Owala water bottle—it goes with me everywhere—and it's a great gift. It comes in a ton of colors, and it's leakproof. It'd make a great gift for anyone who works out a lot or wants to drink more water.

Why We’re the Experts

• Grace Kelly is a senior editor at Serious Eats. 
• She tested 19 aprons and named the smock apron from Hedley & Bennett as a winner. 
• She wears her apron daily.