It was more of a case that my lazy fingers couldn’t keep up with my racing thoughts!
(There was a book I read several years ago titled “Eats Shoots and Leaves” with a drawing of a panda holding a smoking handgun on the cover; and how putting commas after the first two words in that title yielded a very different meaning.)
Thank you everyone - both for the suggestions and the laughs!
(This same child does have a “Let’s Eat Grandma - Commas Save Lives” tshirt, so you all are more on point than you know. 
)
I recommend you pay attention for Penzey’s spice GCs to go on sale, and give that as a present. I’m guessing they could also advise what good starter spices would be. I’d start looking at Macy’s or Kohl’s or wherever you normally shop for spoons, spatulas, etc. How about glass storage bowls? You can get sets from Costco fairly inexpensively.
I was going to suggest a gift card for Penzey’s with the suggestion that he wait until closer to his cooking date to actually get the spices. Paired with a small spice rack maybe?
I know a lot of people use online recipes, but my foodie kid says you need one good cookbook. He has Joy of Cooking, and Alton Brown, and really uses them both.
When he got his first place of his own, we got him a selection of ten Penzey herbs and spices, really the basics (cinnamon, nutmeg, oregano, a meat rub, curry…a variety). It was enough to get him started.
Our kids both have really good frying pans (All Clad) and Le Crueset Dutch ovens (we got them as gifts for them).
Good pot holders are a must.
You can’t make good comfort food without good tools…so this IS on topic!
Our kids have the pampered chef chopper (so do I) and I can’t live without it.
Sometimes Penzey’s has a special on gift cards. Last time I bought them I got a free gift set of spices. I have gotten different box sets free on multiple occasions. It makes a nice gift with the gift card. My kids favorite blend from them is Galena street. It’s versatile and tastes great on chicken. I also like their Italian herb. They also have a blend for pizza and one for frozen pizza.
@abasket you started me on a matcha spree. I’ve been making one almost everyday working on proportions and techniques. Today I cooked up some blueberries I had in the back of my fridge and made a blueberry matcha latte. This time I also pulled out my frother and made a cold foam with the almond milk.
I LOVE influencing people’s food and drink choices! 
how did you incorporate the blueberries? Whole or otherwise.
I had some blueberries I had bought for the grandkids that they hadn’t eaten. I cooked them with some maple syrup and a bit of water. When cool I put them in the nutri bullet and puréed them. I will try straining it before I Make my next one. The Korean tea shop I go to they macerate the berries with probably sugar so it’s a thicker berry component.