What are some good resources for learning knife skills? Specifically, is there anywhere that I can see video demonstration of different slicing techniques and when those techniques are appropriate?
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Why bother paying for instruction or books. The best way to learn is watching a video and practicing. Youtube Youtube has a great wealth of videos on knife skills. I'm more a visual learner. I like to see a video. A book are not going to help me squat.
Chowhound Chowhound has a great wealth of knife skill videos.
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I really like the book "Knife skills Illustrated"; it is a bit annoying that it has left and right handed versions of everything, though. |
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The Good Eats episode American Slicer was devoted entirely to knife usage. |
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Cooks Illustrated has a couple of great videos (subscription, or free trial, required). |
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Epicurious have some useful videos on knife skills, they can be found at: Another interesting source is Rouxbe, they have a large number of cooking lesson videos online, which include knife skills. This site, however, requires a subscription: |
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The absolute best way to pick this up is to do it with the help of an in-person instructor. It is a motor skill that is best learned by trial, error, and the emulation of experts. Your local culinary institutes might offer courses or one-day workshops on various topics for the general public and cooking enthusiasts. For instance, here's a place in Maryland that offers classes: L'Academie de Cuisine. I once gave my wife a gift certificate for their "knife skills" workshop. She can now chop circles around anyone who isn't a chef! |
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Mastering Knife Skills: The Essential Guide to the Most Important Tools in Your Kitchen by Norman Weinstein is a great picture book demonstrating technique for specific fruits, vegetables, and meats. |
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