You mention homemade jam--you made it? Your mom/best friend/husband? That's a great gift!

It's funny--if someone stopped at the store and just bought me some jam I'd think it was nice of them but maybe a bit odd, but someone bringing homemade jam? Awesome! Also, it's a nice personal touch and they will remember you, which is part of the point as you are interning/networking.

I'd bring a nice bouquet of flowers. You can never go wrong with that! Everyone can enjoy it at the party and it won't break the budget - plus you won't have to stress over bringing the 'right type' of food or wine.

Making a nice crusty loaf of bread or a baguette might be nice and can be served with dinner. But fresh fruit and good cheese or a dessert are best. Something to use that night is more comfortable and appropriate, and a fruit and cheese platter or dessert can easily be added to the meal with no problem. Maybe a nice tart?

Call me old-fashioned, but more important than showing up with something that night is the hand-written thank-you note you send the next day.

Oh - I disagree with mimee25 - usually I have my menu planned out so adding something into the meal is a little intrusive. If you're going to bring a food item bring them something for another time and don't expect it to be used that night.

I'm with franklindean. Unfortunately, I get so annoyed at having to incorporate contributions into my carefully planned menu that I almost never feel thankful for them...as bad as that sounds.

Maybe something that would be appropriate for their breakfast the next morning? That's always nice while you're cleaning up the leftover mess from the dinner party the night before. Homemade jam could fall into that category. Or maybe an interesting tea or coffee?

I second the flowers idea.

I once got a small bouquet of flowers that had rosemary as one of the greens, that would be a great hostess gift for a chef.

I agree with franklindean and caitlin as well...I dislike being expected to shoehorn something unexpected into the menu I've taken time to plan (my MIL once did this to the point of bringing something that had to be cooked...so it was in my way in my tiny kitchen and we had to wait for it to finish!)

The homemade jam--or anything else you can make--sounds lovely and memorable. The things I most enjoy getting aren't necessarily fancy, just non-essential little treats.

Flowers are great. One of the nicest things I've received was a screenprinted dishtowel - I wouldn't have splurged on it for myself, but it's adorable. I am a firm believer that "nothing" is more than acceptable as a host/ess gift, but if I were in your shoes for this event, I would opt to have something in hand just to make a connection at the door and start a conversation.

(I wouldn''t bring food that asks to be served that night unless I knew the hosts well and that they'd be pleased. Why risk annoying your hosts?)

I'm in the camp of not bringing something for that night. For me it ends up being a headache as to how to work it in to the preplanned meal. As a friend said, "You wouldn't show up to the symphony with your own trumpet."

Also, flowers can be a little complicated, as it necessitates your host finding a vase and water and arranging them in the middle of entertaining.

That said, a small gift can make your host feel appreciated. No need to stick with food; nicely wrapped candles, a tiny jade plant, and interesting salts are all things that I've received and loved from guests.

Something personal is always a thoughtful gift. I think the most enjoyed gift I've ever given was a jar of dog treats for their beloved pooch. And yes, they were homemade, but I certainly don't think they had to be.

I think any foodie would sincerely appreciate some local cheese. If they want, they can add it to dessert or a cheese course. But if not, they can easily enjoy it later in the week.

Make sure to ask the cheesemonger for recommendations. But an aged cheddar or even something as mundane as Parm Regg would be great.

I like suzee's idea of a dishtowel (or maybe two) there are so many cute dishtowels out there, and I can never bring myself to spend the money on them. I would be thrilled to get some embroidered or silk screened towels for fun.

I second the idea for the next morning. Fresh bagels, coffee cake etc. Something nice they can wake up to after all the hard working cooking & cleaning the night before.

Otherwise just go for a soap or lotion or candle.

You can take flowers - just make sure you put them in a vase before you go - something as simple as a mason jar is fine.

I'm in the flowers camp. Please don't take food, especially if it's something that has to be eaten that day. Being a food-professional, this individual probably already planned the whole meal. It could be nice to ask IN ADVANCE "could I bring something?" My mother-in-law has this terrible habit of always bringing something and it makes me feel like she is constantly belittling my bread making/salad prep/desert planning. I know it is more insulting from my mother-in-law than it is from a friend, but just don't do it.

I like the idea of flowers - so easy. I also love the dishtowel idea, one can never have enough of those. I also think herbs are great, what about a small potted herb plant? I received one as a housewarming gift and it still lives in my herb garden. Rosemary, thyme and oregano are hearty and easy to maintain, and can survive for years.

To answer the original question - yes local cheese or homemade jam are absolutely appropriate gifts for your host. I also fall in the camp of avoiding bringing something to be served with the dinner (unless you've cleared it with the host ahead of time). Trust your gut and keep it simple!

a $4 bar of taza chocololate (the best in my opininon!)

i second the nice chocolate idea, or a gift that you dont expect to be served at the meal - a fancy olive oil, chocolates, fancy salt, or coffee beans.

what's your price range? you could buy a nice bottle of wine for $10.

In my experience, most food people love to drink as well. A bottle of port, or Fernet Branca, would be nice. Great "after dinner" drinks. and under $20.

I'm a professionally trained cook and I always get so nervous cooking for people in my own home because everyone expects a lot from me. But! When I do have people over, my favorite gift to get is something really personal-- your favorite spice mix, some homemade cookies, your favorite cheese or fruit from your tree. We love to bring dried permissions from our tree, or our homemade bloody mary mix, or simply a baguette and bottle of our favorite wine. Whatever you do bring, just remember that a gift from the heart is always the right gift and your host/ess will be glad you thought of them.

How about a nice spice or spice mix? Smoked paprika, shichimi togarashi, sichuan peppercorns, etc.

Many people have suggested flowers, which can be a great gift - especially if they are from your garden. It is important to know that it is poor etiquette to bring a wrapped bouquet of flowers as a hostess gift. It inconveniences the host/hostess as they will have to dig around the house to find a vase and arrange the flowers in front of their guests. If you are going to bring flowers make sure to arrange them in a vase or even a mason jar.

probably more appropriate for the food writer than the chef ...but how about a tried and true, home-perfected recipe attached to a small bag of your secret ingredient- It's personal, not costly and fun for someone who enjoys experimenting with food, and does not need to be incorporated in the already planned menu/evening.

Avoid 'stuff' and slow to use products that will clutter their home. Do keep it under $15. They are meant to be token gifts, not to impress people. Presentation is key: a lovely bow on the simplest of gifts shows thoughtfulness. Wrapped/non-perishable items (like jam, chocolate, etc.) carry less pressure to be served that evening. Gifts should be passed discreetly to the host-- nobody else should really be aware of what you've brought.

How about flowers and offering to help in the kitchen?

Homemade jam would be a good gift. Or how about something to have with coffee - macarons, some homemade biscuits, candied fruits? Sweet treats are ALWAYS welcome in our house.

Wine? A bottle of sherry might be nice, along with a comment like "I thought you might enjoy cooking with this sometime." to take the pressure off of having to serve it that night. Sherries are not terribly expensive and very handy in the kitchen. Same for Noilly Prat dry vermouth, a kitchen workhorse.

I also like the candles idea. A lot of shops have long candles sold singly and you can come up with a bouquet of them at a moderate price. Go for neutral colors if you do not know the person's decorating scheme.

a nice bottle of olive oil, 20 bucks at tjSmaxxx

If you help pick up after dinner you'll probably be invited over for dinner again. That's when everyone else bails.

Thank you SO much everyone! I love all of these ideas!

The dinner was actually last night and I ended up bringing a jar of my homemade raspberry jam. Our host was thrilled and immediately opened it and added it to the table with our cheese course. He's actually a wine writer so I was REALLY intimidated by the idea of bringing wine.

Flowers, fresh herbs, dish towels, chocolate, and salts are all on my list for future events!

I recently had someone show up to my house with a little basket of homemade goodies at a hostess gift. It was incredible! However I would say showing up with a little potted herb or succulent would be darling as well!

It's telling that most of the commenters here assumed that the host was in fact a hostess. Trust me, giving a man a bunch of soap or a bundle of candles is only going to produce confusion, not gratitude.

A small batch of homemade cookies, attractively wrapped or boxed, is nicely gender neutral and appreciated by everyone. Even if the host(ess) is allergic to carbs, he/she can offer them with coffee at the end of the meal, feed them to the children later or take them into work the next day.

i vote for the home made jam, nice, personal, yummy, not to much, not to little... can´t go wrong! good luck!