If you're looking for gifts for the new cook this Christmas then you might already have something in mind. In case you haven't, or perhaps you think that the cook will be harder to buy for, here are some ideas.

1. Pans are always useful, and decent pans are worth it, will last a long time, and represent excellent value for money. They'll also help the food cooked in them to taste better too.

2. A tea machine or coffee machine will provide an excellent way to end a meal, and takes all the hard work out of getting it right. Whilst coffee machines have been around for a while, tea machines are more recent, and some are absolutely fantastic, and can brew your green tea, black tea, or favourite herbal infusion to perfection. All you need to do is to tell it what sort of tea you're using.

3. A new kettle might not seem an obvious present, however it can help you brighten up a kitchen, and might be easier to use and safer than the one it is replacing.

4. A toaster might not be at the top of everyone's wish list, however, a good toaster is hard to beat, and will ensure that whether it's making toast for breakfast, for beans on toast or a midnight snack, it gets it right, every time.

5. Cutlery might seem a bit boring, but eating lovingly prepared food with fresh ingredients from mismatched plastic knives and forks isn't to everyone's taste! There are lots of interesting patterns and styles to choose from, so you're sure to be spoilt for choice.

6. A pressure cooker can be a real timesaver for the busy cook. By dramatically reducing the cooking time, it means that nutritious yet complicated meals can be made in almost no time, and so even after a long day at work, there's still no reason to head for the take away, or the ready meal.

7. A roaster will ensure that meat is cooked evenly, and that the flavours are released to perfection. As they are often non stick too, less time will need to be spent cleaning them, and some can even go in the dishwasher.

8. Food preparation and serving shouldn't be neglected either. Perhaps you'll choose a set of good quality knives, or serving spoons, or spatulas.

9. A good stockpot is the perfect way to turn all of the leftovers into a hearty soup. In addition to making soup, it can also be used for cooking large amounts of pasta, curry and rice.

10. If you're really not sure what to get, what about choosing a home starter pack? This will include all the essential kitchenware items, and will be ideal for those moving into their first home, or for students who now have to cook for themselves for the first time.

Now you know more about the perfect gifts for new cooks, and how much difference they can make, what kitchenware will you buy?