re: Need a good "Chef" type gift for $30

I would put together some quality kitchen tools. A lot of people have old or deficient kitchen tools. For example, check to see if they have:

1. Good tongs
2. Good garlic press
3. Good wine corkscrew
4. Sharp apple slicer (that round thing with the spokes that cut)

Just go to a kitchen store and look for things they don't have or that might be appropriate.