Top Ten Gift Ideas for the Littlest Chef

Have a little person in your life who loves to cook? Follows you around the kitchen and loves to 'help.' Take a look at some of the adorable pint-sized gifts that will encourage your little Emeril Legasse or Paula Deen to culinary greatness.

1) Green Eggs and Ham Cookbook by Georgeanne Brennan, Frankie Frankeny (Photographer), Georgeanne Brennan - We've all read and enjoyed this book as children. And have you ever wonder what green eggs and ham really taste like? You can actually try them! Let your child whip up a batch for themselves (and you) using this cool cookbook. Since kids tend to like gross and weird sounding things anyway, this book is filled with easy and wacky recipes for such foods as Cat in the Hat Pudding, Oobleck, and Moose Juice and Schlopp. You can reminisce while cooking - each recipe is accompanied by the original verse that inspired it, and the pages are laminated to protect splatters. It's recommended for children ages 8 - 12, and is typically priced at most bookstores for $16.95.

2) Junior Cookbook: 1955 Classic Edition by Better Homes & Gardens, Jan Miller (Editor) - I remember my mother having the 'grown-up' version of the Better Homes & Gardens Cookbook. Now your children can enjoy a brand-new copy of this timeless classic. It's an exact reprint of the red plaid 1955 cookbook for kids, with original vintage illustrations, full-color '50s-style images, and pages that appear gently aged. The book includes easy-to-use tabbed chapters including beverages, breads and sandwiches, candy and cookies, desserts, main dishes, and vegetables and sides. It's recommended for infants and children in preschool, and is typically priced at most bookstores for $16.95.

3) Mom and Me Cookbook: Have Fun in the Kitchen by Annabel Karmel - This book is just the cutest! It includes basic cooking techniques and tips, simple first recipes, and tasty, nutritious meal ideas, Mom and Me new family cookbook helps children ages three and up work with their parents to prepare a yummy array of favorite foods. It's recommended for children ages 4 to 8, and is typically priced at most bookstores for $10.99

4) Pretend Soup and Other Real Recipes: A Cookbook for Preschoolers and Up by Mollie Katzen, Ann L. Henderson - This cookbook lets young children put on the chef's hat with a grown-up there to help and guide them. The author, Mollie Katzen, combines her renowned cooking talents and her whimsical artistry, and the expertise of early childhood educator, Ann L. Henderson, to create this collection of recipes. This book is sure to delight, inspire and teach your young chef a thing or two along the way. It's recommended for children ages 5 to 8, and is typically priced at most bookstores for $17.95.

5) Child's Chef Hat - Isn't this adorable? I didn't know they made them this small! This toque designed for the smallest chef in the house. It's made of 100% cotton, and has it a Velcro strap to adjust to your child's head for a perfect fit. It's priced just right at $7.95.

6) Kid's Poodle & Baseball Apron - You've got the chef hat, but what about an apron to keep all the splatters from staining their clothes. Choose from the Batter Up Baseball apron for boys or the pink Paris Poodle theme for girls. Both are sure to delight. The aprons are made of 100% cotton poplin, have 3 pockets and waist & neck tie-backs. One size fits most ages 3 to 7 and they are machine washable on the cold cycle. They are priced at $24.95 each.

7) Sur La Table Gingerbread Silicone Spatula -Check out these cute gingerbread men cookies embedded in clear silicone spatula head. These are sure to inspire your little chef to either stir or splash in the tub! These are safe for the dishwasher and even the oven up to 500 degrees. The spatulas are 12" long. Other characters include snowmen, bumble bees, a Halloween spatula, and Hearts. They are priced at $6.95 each

8) Jr Chef Bakeware Set by Schylling - This set will bring out the chef in any child! This kid's baking set includes 18 essential pieces. Here are some dimensions to get an idea: the pan is 5 1/2" long; the cutting board 11 1/2" long; and the rolling pin 8". It's recommended for children ages 5 and up, and is priced at $23.99.

9) Sassafras Little Cook Tool Kit - Well, everything else is pint-sized, why not the utensils? This kid's kit includes measuring spoons and cups, pastry, scraper, wooden spoon, a spatula, rolling pin, melonball scooper, funnel, whisk. All the utensils are packed in clear vinyl storage bag with handles, and sized perfectly to fit smaller hands. The cups and spoons teach invaluable measuring concepts. The kit is priced at $19.99.

10) Small Rolling Pin by Chef Tools - If your little one especially likes to bake, you can get him or her their very own rolling pin. It's never too early to learn how to use one, and the smaller size will make its use easier for little hands. The small-size rolling pin is only 21" x 1¼". Several easy projects are included with the pin, including soft cookie dough or pizza. It's priced at $6.95.

So, if the little one in your life is more than just interested in licking the bowl or spoon, but actually wants to take their kitchen experience to the next level with stirring, measuring, pouring and cracking open eggs, then invest in his or her future with a few of these little items. Even if the result is just a little kitchen fun with mom, dad or grandma, so what! A little fun with your children always the best recipe.