ThermapenIf he loves to grill or roast meat, then the Thermoworks Thermapen is a great choice. Capable of reporting an approximate reading in a second and an accurate one in four seconds, the Thermapen is the fastest instant read thermometer on the market. The ultra slim tip also leaves a much smaller hole, allowing a minimum of precious liquid to escape. It is also useful for checking the temperature of just about anything (cold water, hot water, boiling water, hot oil, candy... just don't use it to test human body temperature - the tip is sharp).
Anything from the Cooking For Engineers Gift ShopWhat gift could be more fun than something that's branded with CookingForEngineers.com? Choose a T-shirt, apron (or other apparel) or a mug from a tiny selection (wish I had time to expand the line-up) of designs, including the ever popular RTFM series.
All-Clad CookwareWant to get him something that lasts for more than a couple years? How about something that lasts more than couple generations? All-Clad Metalcrafters makes some amazing cookware that is a real pleasure to cook with, conducts heat extremely well, and lasts and lasts. Almost all of All-Clad's pots have a thick aluminum inner layer that evenly distributes heat and are clad in stainless steel to provide a non-reactive cooking surface. I swear the steel on the All-Clad must be different than other clad cookware because I'm able to get a perfectly clean surface extremely easily with some light rubbing with Barkeeper's Friend. (Other cookware seems to take a lot more work to achieve the same result.) I love my All-Clad, and I'm sure the father in your life will love to have some too.
KitchenAid Standing MixerThe power tool of the kitchen is the KitchenAid Standing Mixer. The most popular line, the Artisan, comes in a variety of colors and packs a powerful 325-watt motor capable of driving a variety of accessories. In its basic configuration, you can whip, beat, and knead. In addition to the normal uses (whipping cream, making cookie dough and cake batter, and kneading pizza dough), I've used it to make butter, whip up marshmallows, and mix meat loaf. Not enough uses? Additional accessories can be attached to harness the motor as a powered meat grinder, food mill, citrus reamer, food slicer and shredder, pasta machine, and more.
Chef's KnifeSome guys loves knives. The Global G-2 and the MAC MTH-80 are two examples of excellent Japanese chef's knives under $100. The angle of the edge of these blades are shallower than western chef's knives which allow them to achieve a razor sharp edge that slides effortlessly through your veggies and meat.
WaterstonesIf he's already got a set of nice knives, he'll want to be able to sharpen those knives. There is no more satisfying way for a hands-on man to sharpen his knives than with a set of high quality waterstones that allows him to put the keenest edge on his knives possible. If he's in a hurry, the Chef's Choice 120 Knife Sharpener is one of the best electric knife sharpeners designed for home use.
Weber Charcoal Kettle GrillDoes he have a grill? Is it from the 70's? Get him a new Weber! The classic kettle shape is still one of the best designs by Weber and the 22.5-in. provides ample space to grill just about anything he wants from burgers to chicken to a prime rib.
Vita-Mix BlenderWith a peak power of over 2 HP (1500 watts!), the Vita-Mix blender is not what most people think of when they hear the word "blender". It's equipped with a variable speed dial that let you easily find that sweet spot for blending perfectly. He'll never actually use it to make ice cream or boil water in under ten minutes just from the friction of the blades spinning through the liquid, but he'll love to brag about it to his friends.
Anything from Alton BrownAlton is the king of geek cooks. He's got a KitchenAid mixer with flames painted on it, has rigged up a pepper grinder to run on his power drill, and built a ceramic smoker with $42 worth of materials from Home Depot. For many guys, his show, Good Eats, is the only cooking show they'll bother watching. Your father will definitely appreciate any of Alton's DVDs or books (2 cookbooks and one book just on kitchen gear).
My Weigh Digital ScaleGot a father whose really into precision? Or doesn't like to bake because he can't deal with measuring with cups and straight edges? My Weigh makes the best digital scales I've used in the kitchen. With an ultra fast response, he'll be able to pour his ingredients and stop as soon as the scale registered the correct weight. No more messing with different measuring cups.
Propane Blow TorchFire. Do I need to say more? This Bernz-O-Matic propane torch will let him solder copper pipes AND put the finishing touches on a creme brulee in record time. If the Bernz-O-Matic is too big, then you can always get him one of the weaker (lamer) butane mini-torches that costs the same...
TampopoThis one isn't for every guy, but if he loves movies and he loves food, then there's a god chance he'll enjoy Tampopo, one of the greatest foodie movies ever made. In this Japanese movie, the main plotline follows a truck driver (who fancies himself a cowboy) decides to help a beautiful restaurant owner to transform he dying business into the best ramen house in the city. Short vignettes celebrating food in a variety of humorous (and sometimes bizarre) ways are sprinkled throughout the movie. As a bonus, Ken Watanabe (The Last Samurai, Batman Begins) plays a young man who learns the proper way to eat ramen from a venerable master.