The problem with my friend is that if I take him out to buy what he wants, he will just not want to buy anything esp when I am paying for it....have to be a surprise......that is why it's so difficult to buy gifts for him and I do not wanna buy some junk that he just puts in the storage.

PS, your budget runs from $99 to $1300?

The cheaper sets are junk.

budget is within $1500

I would never do this as a 'surprise'. Your friend might lust after a wonderful big LeCruset dutch oven in bright blue or a huge stock pot, and be happy with non-stick fry pans from Costco (2 for under $20) for everyday stuff. Bakeware? The best 1/2-sheet pans are less that $10 each at Walmart. But a $250 2 qt All-Clad sauce pan might be just the thing. This is a very very personal decision for most cooks.

You can't get much better than All Clad - it is pretty much the Cadillac of cookware. It is fabricated in the US and features bonded metals - usually copper, aluminum and stainless steel - to provide even and consistent heat dispersal. It is the brand of cookware preferred by many chefs and culinary professionals. And very enthusiastic home cooks with very generous friends :-))

Calphalon is also a very good brand. I have a few pieces of each and they will last a lifetime. I'd also agree that a cookware set is probably far more than most need (not to mention wildly expensive if you focus on the better brands). A few essential pieces - covered saute pan, frying pan, a stock pot and a couple of sizes of lidded sauce pans - is about as much as most folks need or routinely use.

I think All Clad might be the good choice, i will shop around on All Clad's website and pick some cast iron ones to make it a set for my friend's birthday. That way, I guess I can enjoy good food whenever I visit him...lol...thank y'all.

Sometimes, a small 5 or 6 piece set can be a good value, as the combined price is often lower than the individual pieces. Then you can complete the set with specialty items from the same brand or others.

All-Clad is a premium brand but there are higher performing alternatives. I have All-Clad and have found better alternatives through recommendations here and at various review sites.

If they cook with gas, a thick 2.5mm or higher copper saute pan or saucier/saucepan from Falk, Bourgeat or Mauviel *(m'250 line only), lined with stainless steel would make for a special treat. Also, the stainless clad products from Demeyere (clad aluminum or copper) are more even heating and easier to clean than AllClad . Demeyere and Falk are made in Belgium, Mauviel in France.