what type of host/hostess gifts are appropriate for a dinner party, and do you bring the chef a gift as well?

On the subject of thank-yous - maybe I should point out that a host/ess gift, though common practice, isn't required, but a thank-you letter, though not common practice, is required.

If you bring wine, don't do so on the assumption that you're contributing to the meal. Apart from anything else, the chef will have planned the meal carefully, including the wine selection, so bringing wine would be a bit like going into the kitchen and trying to help with the cooking. It would tread on toes. If you want to bring a gift, it's very nice to bring it for the host, but it's really up to the host to give whatever tokens of appreciation he chooses to the chef. If I were you, I'd bring something non-edible. Flowers, already arranged in a vase so the host doesn't have to dash around, would be nice.

For the host: a bottle of wine or flowers is absolutely fine. For the chef: a big appetite and a willingness to try a variety of foods.

A friend of mine who's a chef said that a) people get super-weird about when he cooks and adulating him instead of enjoying the food and b) nobody ever cooks for him because they think he wants gourmet food but he really wants mom-style chili like his mom used to make. I also say wine or flowers for the host; if you wanted to be super-nice to the chef, you could bring him a (homemade) coffee cake he could eat the next morning, but I don't think it's necessary.

Here's what I'd do. Go to a boutique wine shop and ask to speak to the general manager or owner. Explain that you want a great bottle of wine because you will be at a private party with NAME OF CHEF. The rest will take care of itself.

Beautiful handmade chocolates.

2nding flowers. People often forget how much they can enhance your evening. Also, what about something simple like truffles? Even store-bought, they make a nice ending to a good supper.

My very skilled chef ex-bf loves to eat my cooking--makes him feel taken care of, and he doesn't always want to cook. Sure, he offers critique, but only because we're (still) close, and he knows I'm looking to improve, always. People who get into cooking nearly always love to eat, too. You have something special you make? If not, a nice bottle of wine works for this, too. For the host, wine or flowers sure, but don't fall into the "I brought this, so open it up" mindset. Likely the host or the chef has selected wine to complement the meal. Enjoy! Sounds like a fun time.

If you want to take food... spend a small fortune on beautiful fresh fruit.. like a fruit basket. But lovely, fruit. Not cruddy run of the mill cheap ones. We do that and it always goes over well. In an Australian context we take mangoes and blueberries and raspberries and mulberries... berries are outrageously expensive here, even when they're cheap. Raspberries can sell for $20 a punnet. Mangoes can be $5 each in the off season. We always get a wow factor. I suggest you take your local equivalent. Chocolate is so.... passe.