Does he bake or cook?

Saveur - their recipes are way better. I never liked Cooks Illustrated. For someone who is experienced, they already know a lot of the tips from CI and I don't always agree with their "best" versions of recipes. I personally really like Cooking Light - but wouldn't recomend that as a gift unless you know they like it.

Just wanted to weigh in as someone who cooks a lot and has at one time or another gotten all of the above -- I never liked Cooks Illustrated, seemed like a contemporary version of Joy of Cooking, not very adventurous. Saveur offers the most interesting stories on food etc but recipes not so good, but for an established cook, that is not so important. I personally like Food and Wine but definitely. it seems, not everyone's cup of tea.

+1 for Saveur.
CI 2nd choice.
F&W blows.

I have to say, I absolutely love the new Bon Appetit, which has a new editor in chief. I used to think it was the worst magazine ever, but my MIL gets it for me (along with Gourmet (sadly gone); Cooks Illustrated, Saveur and Food & Wine). A year or two ago, I realized that BA had new leadership and the magazine completely changed. I love it now. Lots of recipes for the way I want to eat now (more veg, kale, quinoa, etc). I don't like F&W at all. I rarely cook anything in Cooks Illustrated although I do enjoy reading about the techniques.

I would be happy with any

Saveur. It's what professional chefs read.