I'd bring Bragard's Mayflower kitchen towels, which are 50/50 cotton and linen. Linen dries more quickly than cotton, which is why I like these so much. No cook can ever have too many kitchen towels and the Bragards are at once luxurious, beautiful and, best of all, handy! ;o)

I'm another one who doesn't like scents, so the scented gifts wouldn't be my first choice. (And I'm a woman - go figure!). However, I think any gift you bring will show your thoughtfulness, and that will be appreciated, no matter what you choose.

I hate it when guests bring plants or flowers. Plants feel like a commitment and flowers just interrupt my cooking because they need a vase, etc.

But I'm a boy...

I love Clean Ridge Soap Company's liquid Kitchen Hand Soap. Citrusy scent, and rids your hands of all kinds of cooking smells like garlic, fish, etc. I give this as gifts to all my chef-y and non-foodie friends alike.

http://cleanridge.com/index.html

Also, the bar Clean Ridge bar soaps are fantastic, too. My fave is the avocado/cucumber. Very light and clean and doesn't wop you over the head with a strong scent.

All you really need to know is just say "no" to kitchen gadgets. But to expand...

Every lady chef is different. Personally, I would love:

an edible bouquet
http://verdantkitchen.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/20101208-041321.jpg

bottle of frantoia
http://superolive.com/Frantoia-Extra-Virgin-Olive-Oil,-1-Liter%3B-Free-Shipping,-Italian-P1479280.aspx

organic lavender soap
http://store.carouselfarmlavender.com/four-soap-gift-set.html

vanilla beans
http://www.kalustyans.com/catalog.asp?menucategory_id=9&category_id=226

exotic booze
http://www.lonelyplanetimages.com/images/445909

I have seen several "topiaries", for want of a better word, made of edible herbs. Rosemary, in particular. They're pruned into any myriad of shapes....hearts, Christmas trees, stars, etc. Or a basket planted with a variety of herbs - maybe rosemary, thyme, parsley, mint, oregano, whatever. Look at a garden center, or I've even seen them at Trader Joe's. As others have said, if she's a "well known chef" she likely has a plethora of ingredients and tools and tchotchkes. But fresh herbs are always a nice thing to have around, and they're easy to maintain. Plus they look lovely, and will keep living, unlike a floral arrangement that dies far too soon.

I always like to bring an unusual, rare, or just plain special bottle of wine. You can bring a bottle to open and enjoy together and a bottle for her to put in her "cellar". I realize that I am assuming that she drinks wine. Which leads me to the subject of things for the body that have scents. I know that I am severly allergic to anything floral in any way. I get horrible headaches and go into asthma attacks. Be careful when it comes to things with scents, if you don't know if she can handle them.

some good spirits are always a nice gift as well!

@Summer of Eggplant, great idea. I found a small gift set of foodie type soap on Uncommongoods.com. I think I'm gonna go your route with the soaps and stuff.

FCV - Thank you! Have a great time, learn lots, sounds like fun!

Well played Summer of Eggplant! That's a really good idea too. I know she is very fond of serrano ham but I thought that would be laying it on too thick. And I just realized she likes this site on facebook so I don't want to give away my final decision but I really like your take on a hostess gift. Hmm, decisions decisions!

If she is a well known chef I would interpret that to mean she already had a well stocked kitchen and might be particular about her ingredients (not to be a naysayer, that would just be my impression). I would head to the department store and get her some small luxury bath item that stimulated the food oriented senses like a Laura Mercier Creme Brulee body cream, Jo Malone Mandarin & Basil shower gel, Philosophy Vanilla Cake bubble bath or a Bliss blood orange sugar scrub. I don't know any woman that doesn't like to receive such gifts.

I'd also consider something like the butternut squash seed oil featured this week. http://www.food52.com/products/417_roasted_butternut_squash_oil
Another good place for fancy salts is the Meadow, which has a branch in NYC (don't know how close you are.) http://www.atthemeadow.com/shop/

I think saffron is a great idea, but perhaps think more exotic. One of my best friends in the culinary world sent me a tin of Fleur de Sel a la Vanille. French sea salt with vanilla flakes. God knows where she found it but it's wonderful with melon.
King Arthur makes their own Fiori di Sicilia extract in small bottles. Great for baking but also for gelato. It's a blend of vanilla and Sicilian citrus. But anyway, something non-perishable which can be held for later use and experimentation.

Thanks everybody! Great suggestions.

I 2nd Verdigris on the kitchen towels. You might look on Etsy for a pair of handwoven towels in a lovely pattern and fabric, maybe linen.

A small bottle of very high-quality saffron.

Or possibly an interesting spice mixture. Take a look at World Spice Merchants: http://www.worldspice.com/home/home.shtml. Their Alderwood Smoked Sea Salt is really good and might be a fun "toy."

A small classic but unusual item for a kitchen - oyster shucker, olive stoner, etc. Make sure its stainless steel.

Or a subscription to Fire & Knives http://fireandknives.com/

I find good kitchen towels are usually welcome.