Shelly-Ann Thompson, Freelance Writer
Left: Pegasus Chef Jason Dawkins debones a chicken with the boning knife. Center: Pegasus Chef Patrice Malcolm carves a flower in this melon with a fruit pearing knife.
Right: Pegasus Chef Selvin McLaughin peels a potato with a paring knife.
THIS IS the first in a new monthly series on tools and utensils used in kitchens and restaurants daily.
Knives, forks, spoons, glasses, bowls, plates, pots and pans are used every day, but do we stop to think about the specific purpose served by each one? What about their shapes and sizes?
Food will, this year, research and explore the items we touch in our kitchens every day and bring you just a little bit more information about them. We will also tell you, through pictures, where they can be bought.
EVERY KITCHEN should have at least one good, sharp utility knife. Knives are essential to have not only for cutting, chopping or slicing, but they also make an excellent decorating item in the kitchen.
For those who are domesticated, must-haves are the boner, peeler, bread, butter and the utility knives. The boner knife is preferred for meats, poultry, and fish. Slicing bread should be done with a bread knife; any other knife used will ruin the cut. Peeling (or pairing) knives are for mincing or slicing food items.
It's very important to have a sharp knife to get a clean cut particularly on meats. Michael Drummond, executive sous chef at Beaches Negril, notes that a good quality sharp knife should only be used for cutting meats to prevent jagged edges. "When a sharp knife is used to cut meats especially the tenderloin, one will get a shine on both sides of the meat. For fruits like tomatoes, one does not want to have jagged edges so to avoid excessive force, a sharp knife is best."
Mr. Drummond also informs Food of the preferred knife brands. The chef notes that the Swiss made knife is "the best on the market". The other recommended brands are the French made Sabatier, and Furi, an Australian brand.
Knives courtesy of MegaMart Kingston, 29 Upper Waterloo Road, St. Andrew.
We invaded the kitchens of the Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston, and their chefs demonstrated the most popular tools of the trade.
Prices
Nicholini's brand knives, $345 plus tax, from MegaMart, Kingston.
Knives by Manor Mill's brand, $571 plus tax, from MegaMart Kingston.
A set of six stainless steel knives, $2,900 plus tax.
