Before I started my professional chef training, I worked at the famous Le Bernardin restaurant in New York City. The head chef told me, “Come at six in the morning, wear sturdy shoes, and bring your knives.” I brought the only chef’s knife I owned, which I had bought for $20 at Bed Bath & Beyond. Oh my God, I was ready.
At the restaurant, a sous chef frowned as he ran his thumb over the blade. My knife was sent to the staff locker room, and I spent the entire day wiping down mushroom caps and countertops. After my shift, I went to Korin, a Japanese knife shop, and spent a week’s salary on a Misono knife.
Do you need expensive knives worthy of a three-star Michelin restaurant? Not really. However, every home cook should invest in a good chef's knife that is comfortable to grip and razor sharp so you can cut through ingredients quickly and with control.
What is the best chef's knife? Let's leave the answer to Ina Garten, the undisputed queen of the kitchen. According to her, “the most important tool any home cook should own is a great set of knives. Mine are Wüsthof Classic knives. They're an investment, but if you take care of them, they'll last a lifetime!”
Ina recommends the Wüsthof Classic 20cm Chef's Knife, currently on sale on Amazon (it's rarely on sale!).
An 8-inch knife is pretty standard, but depending on the size of your hands, you might want a slightly shorter blade. In the same Classic range, Wüsthof also offers a 6-inch chef's knife. If you can, try both so you can feel the knife in your palm and find the one that fits you best.
Simple Recipes / Amazon
Ina Garten stores her knives upside down
In an Instagram post, Ina explained that she stores her knives upside down in a knife block. According to Ina, if you insert a knife into its slots the usual way, the blade scrapes the wood, which dulls it. “So I put it upside down and I think it preserves the blade,” she adds. I love Ina’s sneaky (and easy!) way to keep knives from getting dull.
Your knives will inevitably get dull and you’ll need to sharpen them. Ina has a solution for that too. She recommends the Chef’sChoice Electric Knife Sharpener because it’s “the easiest way to ensure your knives are perfectly sharp every time.” She even provides instructions on how to use the sharpener on Instagram . And since you were born under a lucky star, it’s currently 35% off on Amazon.
BUY INA'S FAVORITE CHEF'S KNIFE NOW: Wüsthof Classic 8-inch Chef's Knife $134.99 (was $170)
