Ask Chef Dan

"What knives should I have on hand in my kitchen, and how should I care for the cutlery set?"
- Natalie, New Jersey

One thing that everyone should know is that good knives are an investment and can last decades if properly cared for. Consider your preferences before making a decision to purchase knives or an entire cutlery set. Would you prefer cutting with a lighter knife in your hand or would you rather have a more solid heavy-duty knife?

Regardless of your preference, here are some essentials pieces each chef should have. Don’t get caught up in the glam of excessive fancy knife sets in department stores. Begin collecting a quality cutlery set with these essential knives: Paring Knife, Chef’s Knife, Carving Knife, and a Serrated Bread Knife. As you are preparing meals you may find other knives that would come in handy, but these are good knives to get started with.

To properly care for your knives you NEED a sharpening stone. Most manufactures make a sharpening stone for their knives, so keep this in mind as your shopping around. Using the sharpening stone helps to realign the edge on your knives after use, ensuring a sharp edge each and every time you use it.

Also consider purchasing some sort of mechanism to hold your knives, whether it is a wood block of a magnetic strip for your wall. This protects the edges of your knives from getting chipped and ruined, as well as preventing people from getting cut. Another way to protect the edges of your knives is to use only wooden or plastic cutting boards as marble and glass can severely damage the edges.

Great question, Natalie!
Chef Dan