Kitchen Cutlery 101

Hannah — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 09:09:00 GMT

Most cooking activities in a restaurant begin and end with a knife, so having proper kitchen cutlery is essential to the success of your operation. Cutting is quicker and easier when you use the correct knife for the job, ultimately you cut the time required for food preparation by stocking your kitchen with a quality kitchen equipment. Use this guide to help you navigate Serv-U’s wide selection of knives.

“The Chef’s Knife”– Also known as Cook’s Knife or French Knife is the work-horse of the kitchen. It has a very broad blade and a range in length from six to twelve inches. The eight inch size remains the most popular. Used for all kinds of heavy-duty cutting, as well as chopping, dicing and shredding, the Chef’s Knife is essential for vegetable prep and the flat side is perfect for crushing garlic.

“The Slicer” – With a very narrow, thin blade, the slicing knife is perfect for cutting thin slices, ideally ham and large cuts of meat. The more flexible the knife is, the easier it will be to get a thin slice of roasted meats, chicken and turkey. Some slicers have a curving tip to assist in tight spots, like between wing and breast of chicken. The fork is the perfect compliment to the slicing knife, providing a secure hold.

“The Bread Knife” – Serrated edges enable the bread knife to pierce a hard crust or skin without bruising or crushing the delicate insides. Sharp blades unsure uniform slicing and aid in portion control. For operations with an extensive sandwich selection, offset blade knives are helpful.

“The Parer” – Sporting a short blade and available in a variety of shapes and curves, the paring knife is very useful for small, precision cutting. Often it’s used to peel, carve and prepare vegetables, fruit and other foodstuffs that can be held in the hand. The paring knife is best for close-up work like eyeing potatoes, and boning chicken.

“The Cleaver” - The broad, thick blade of this knife and its heavy weight make easy work of cutting bone, splitting ribs and getting through gristle. Its thick edge will not chip easily, and the heavier in weight, the easier it is to use.

Serv-U also offers high quality knife racks for storing the most precious cutlery in your kitchen. Knife cases are also essential for storage, especially in catering operations. A good knife and cutlery set can make a big difference can make a big difference in your commercial kitchen.

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Kitchen Cutlery 101