ASK THE CHEF: Knife Skills

[628ChopperXX]

im starting food technology this year and i watched this vid and my teacher said where did i learn my skills from doing thin matchsticks

[SuperBlundy]

What about jardinere?

[glitterland18]

Use goggles to chop onions

[PhantomAct]

No high-street stores sell knives anymore...

[BeXzTeR]

I feel extremely intelligent after watching this!

[DeepSetEyesDance]

I ONLY CUT MYSELF WHEN I'M CUTTING GIANT BALLS OF WHITE CABBAGE.

[pastelberry]

The music is great!

[EllyKSaysHi]

Hi Ben, what courses did you take for highschool and in university? What led you to where you are now? and may i know your motivations and when you got interested in cooking/foods? Thank you very much! :)

Elly ^_^

[secern]

loved it but i do have to say that steels don't sharpen your blade, they simply hone the edges back into alignment. when you blade is truly dull you need sharpen it with a whetstone, that said you should only use a whetstone once the steel no longer hones the blade to avoid sharpening past the hard steel of the knife. at least that is what i was taught great video though and keep it up! i wish i had thought of doing videos like this first =P

[EmilyRoseYo]

Alright. Now i'm definitely going to chop some vegetables :)

[ACEBennet]

Anybody else immediatly think of The Princess and the Frog when me spoke about mincing? no? only me?... ok *hangs head in shame*

[EmmieElectro]

Great vid, can you make Cinnamon buns please? :D

[HiikariZero]

So funny to hear you say those french word, sorry to say so, but for a French girl, you're accent is sooo cute!.

[erikandfox]

Tips on chopping herbs?

[tpoore100]

i think i may have a crush on you...my boyfriends gonna be mad lol

[florencelovme]

French words and fine handwork. This is nearly erotic.

[VersatilyAudacious]

How long does it take to make a knife sharp and how do I test if I got "maximum" sharpness?

[xrainbowmintx]

why am I so intrested in watching a man chop vegetables?

[Missannaiscoollike]

Sorry but what colour is your hair? :)

[sortedfood]

@Missannaiscoollike I'd like to think it's mouse-y brown! Haha! Why?

[MettePeleikis]

you don't do private tutoring do you Ben? ;)

[OStarstarstar]

when i was watching.... i was kida scard that you would cut ur hand hehe...:p

[Likeflames]

I'd heard that when you lay your knife diagonally across the board, there should be about an inch on either side of the tip of the knife and the end of the handle.

[XStarCUK]

Really cool video, but not to be a knob, thats way to thick to be paysanne

[stupooleful]

chop like a boss.

[tenacross]

@stupooleful Are you quoting Wil Wheaton?

[stupooleful]

@tenacross No idea who that is o.O :)

[tenacross]

@stupooleful He's an actor/writer/blogger who used the term "chop like a boss" in a recent blog so i thought maybe you were referencing that. I like that term : )

[Audreyyyy4]

i love this whole channel. the cooking and recipes, the editing and camera shots, they're all great! =D

[TakoTakushki]

omgosh 1:19 sound just kills mee!!

but really nice video thanks :))

[1LostMy0therAccount]

Thanks

[kaham1993]

@sortedfood Do you have dessert recipes that are low in carbs/sugar. I'm a Type 1 Diabetic and that is something I have to look for with EVERYTHING I eat.

[rhythmspiral]

@tulipbab53 try rubbing some fresh lemon on your fingers when you're finished handling the garlic

[EpicSoftworks]

best video, simple, straight to the point and going into the safety of a person instead of 'fast cutting'

[thecookie354]

feels like im watching another dance tutorial

[feitocomfruta]

The only thing that I think you may have missed in the video (because the opportunity to mention it was there) was the safety tip that you ALWAYS have either a double sided board or two separate boards, and never use a knife to cut meat then to cut raw vegetables. Cross-contamination is bad.

I know you guys probably would say that, but I just thought that in talking about cutting boards, you would have mentioned that.

[lei08ful]

I should have my mom watch this video 'cos whenever she asks me to slice an onion or tomato or whatever, she's always rushing me then i would accidentally cut myself D:

[fayili]

Hey, at some point could you go over the general uses/purposes for the different knives you'd be most likely to find in a knife block?

[sortedfood]

@fayili One step ahead!! Check out our "Ask the chef: Which Knives" video we did a few months back :-D

[fayili]

@sortedfood I don't think I ever saw that one! YouTube inbox fail. Thank you!

[7ViTRox]

@fayili did you pay attention to the video? the first sentance makes a reference to the video a few months back! even gives you a link to the video haha..

[fayili]

@7ViTRox I thought he was talking about the onion one, because it included knife skills. Jeeze. No need to be rude.

[xxiloveitallxx]

so now i know the fancy french names of all the thing i do anyway XD

[triseke87]

Amazing video. So helpful! Thanks guys!

[628ChopperXX]

can u guys plz make a recipe on creme brulee? ><

[Nani101]

Ben, you're going to put culinary schools out of business.

[TikTokRoundTheClock]

@sortedfood

Hi... I'm trying to get my vegetarian friend into you guys but after that sausage video I think she may be kinda grossed out... I was wondering if you guys could make like a vegetarian vid with like stuff that is in season now... Thanks!

[sortedfood]

@TikTokRoundTheClock If you go to our website, you can search specifically for vegetarian recipes, and I'm sure you'll find something to impress your friend :-D

[ShinyPurpleFlamingos]

Do you have tips on how to properly dice a tomato? I can never seem to get it right

[sortedfood]

@ShinyPurpleFlamingos Depends on whether you want the seeds or not..if you do want them then the "hacking" method in this video would work well...if you don't want the seeds, then check out our Tuna Nicoise recipe for how we dealt with the tomatoes there

[UKissfan0330]

OMG. I shouldve watched this video yesturday!!!

[2Noobsunited]

How do you make pork crackling. Show in ask the chef or in a recipe?

[Qwaszxa3]

every youtubers dream should be to be featured in a sorted video xD

[clauclau1997111]

Cooking Mama NEED to watch this video!

[9VARZ]

Carrots! I always have issues with them if the recipe does not call for rondelles.In the end I take too much time chopping them up and the carrots seem to lose their flavour (esp. in a julienne). Any tips and tricks for a fast and efficient way to chop carrots? :D

[subconcious790]

What kind of cutting board do you recommend? Wood or Plastic? And if wood, is bamboo better or it doesn't matter?

[sortedfood]

@subconcious790 I prefer hard wood. As long as you wash and clean it properly, it'll be better and looks nicer than a plastic board

[aimethitapa]

please get jim and john chapman sorted please :D:D:D:D

and make Thai fooddddd <3

I'd love to see my favorite youtubers in one place :D:D:D:D:D:D

PLEASEEEEE

[HeavyMetalist24]

How did I learn more about basic knife skills and food preparation in a 6 minute video than I have in a catering college within 2 years?

[YunaTsukiyuoTenshi]

I remember asking about the plasters! I thought you guys might have been making a fashion statement!

[Andophonic]

Stop saying a steel will sharpen a knife. 'Tis false.

[jessical5683]

Hi, new subbie here and I haven't read through the 150+ comments, so sorry if this has been asked/answered already.... I'm wondering what brand(s) of cutlery you would recommend to us viewers? The best quality at the cheapest price. I know nothing about anything in the kitchen, but my fiancé loves to cook and I find that he often struggles with poor quality knives. I'd love to buy him a reliable set for Christmas. Thank you! Love your channel, glad I found it!

[woodgate03051994]

Sorted, I need your help, I've got to do an Alice in wonderland themed afternoon tea, I've got to do a savoury dish and a sweet dish, the only thing I have done is the little cakes, but I have no further ideas :/ please help, I would be so appreciative

[DragonRider22]

@woodgate03051994 finger sandwiches are good for tea and light meals. Try to think out side the box as for ingredients and use something you wouldn't usually put in a sandwich. Alice in Wonderland is all about thinking and doing things differently and creatively so dress up the sandwiches with unusual garnishes or ingredients.

[jeaniebaby001]

beautiful video... & ty ty ty! 

[maywora]

you manke it all look so ....easy ... = ="

[MissWrycraft]

@maywora It's practice. I'm doing a Culinary Arts course and once you've learnt how to do it, the more you practice, the more natural it feels.

[adfkjgvdjfvbdbvdkjvb]

brilliant! real useful, thanks

[graceee532]

that was so mesmerising.

[ChayoMata]

I find this precise explanations as useful as I find them sexy... can't help it cooking has a thing

[RockerChic9178]

hypnotizingggg :)

[chouhone]

Can you do a video on best knives to have at home. Brand wise?

[soyuncatacol]

Thank you so much! So many names... I sometimes get confused. This is a nice reference :).

But I have a question- have you guys ever made a "rule of thumb" video on what to start cooking first for a meal? I ask because every time I go to cook, veggies in particular, I don't time something right and one ingrediant ends up more cooked or less cooked than everything else.

[PhantomAct]

Are u going to be the next Heston?

[teb7]

i love the sound of sharpening knives

[OMFGLOLBURTON]

im thinking of getting my mum a good set of knives for Christmas, what would you suggest, but not ones that would break the bank :)

[anteroneves]

hummm looks like the french invented all the chopping... and thinking about it, isn't guillotine a french word too? :D

[SultanaDaniel]

@anteroneves the word guillotine comes from a French surname. It is called guillotine after the person who invented it (the exact surname: I forgot).

[JustLikeTheOtherDay]

Now I want peppers...Thanks a lot D:

[back4thefight]

this is so handy! I prepare & give out high end product food samples and using knives is my worst skill. This is awesome.

[cooky212]

At teacher at my school who teaches a cooking class calls how you should have your hand when you cut the "Ninja grip" :D

[MissWrycraft]

@cooky212 We call it 'The claw" a la Toy Story.

[cooky212]

@MissWrycraft That's also awesome :)

[SuperFistfight]

what knife do you use?

[Cr0wling]

oooh... sexy knife sound

[Silverstarlightt]

Fantastic! Thank you! :D

[lotsabots]

Did you go to cooking school?

[MagicallyFat]

@lotsabots culinary school* and yes i believe he mentioned that he went somewhere i forget where.

[sortedfood]

@lotsabots I did indeed... I trained at University College Birmingham (UCB), where I studied Culinary Arts Management. 

[MissWrycraft]

@sortedfood I was gonna do that course! I then chose to stay in London, so I study at TVU/UWL.

[palamiaotisa]

Ahhh Wonderful !!! thanx for the lessons Chef :)

[TheLexusParker]

he's strangely attractive :L

[noodlescratcher]

holy crap, im impressed

[geniusindesigns]

so what should I do if I chop my finger off while doing and banana split. Should I just put it on top like a cherry and call it a day? MADTV Style.

[BeckiLouisee]

argh, the sound of knives being sharpened makes me cringe...i have no idea why:L

[robynreckless]

NOW I KNOW :D

[HelloCaille]

I had a Remembrance Day commercial <3 :)

[7734undercover]

Where did you learn to cook?

[GabrielleNeeliene]

When I just moved in my new apartment I cut myself 5 or 6 times when using my brand new sharp chef's knives. These tips are most welcome!

[tulipbaby53]

This video was so interesting and helpful too. i really had no idea about the names of some of those cutting techniques!

Do you know how to get rid of the smell of garlic from the fingers when chopping them or a way to chop them without getting the smell on the fingers? Thanks in advance!!

[sortedfood]

@tulipbaby53 lemon juice is the only sure fire method! The acid cuts through the garlic oil which gets worked into the pores of your skin.

[malteser93]

@tulipbaby53 im not sure of the name, but you can also buy these little metal (not sure of the type) bars of soap. You use that under water and it's meant to rid the smell.

[katlinmoore]

@tulipbaby53 I have also found that running your hand over a stainless steel spoon under running water gets rid of garlic smell!

[Shashiskaa]

@tulipbaby53 I know I'm not SORTED and therefor not an authority. But, if you'll wash your hands with a little dab of toothpaste, and them wash your hands with normal soap, it'll get rid of the smell of garlic and onions. And your hands won't smell like lemons. I'm in culinary school, and I keep a travel size tube of toothpaste with me in class for just such occasions.

[RockaRecord]

What veggie is at 5:03? an onion?

[1w4nn4]

now i have a serious craving for veggies! XD

[DanyRamirex]

You are a really good maestro! :)

[nananime11]

I always have problems with the lettuce because it's too big! >_<

[rosesrasapink]

may i call this the most helpful knife skills vid on all of youtube

kudos to u guys!!

love the music as well <3

[qwertyred123]

thanks! this video helped me so much! :)

[flanya88]

love the video! i like the music in the background too.

[hadassahabey]

can you please list the music used in video ; )?

[JoelBenCarr]

I would love for there to be a video or article on chopping onions! Including differently methods such as dicing, strips etc. I find it impossible to do it evenly.

[sortedfood]

@JoelBenCarr Haha if you watched this video you'd see the links to our Chopping Onions video ;-)

[JoelBenCarr]

@sortedfood Oh =P I posted this whilst watching (hence the grammar fail of "including differently methods")! Thanks for the reply =)

[johnxy888]

the steel is for HONING, not a sharpening tool! it's only purpose is to massage the edge back in proper alignment

once a knife is blunt, there is no edge; the only way to get it sharp again is to grind material off (with a stone). No amount of steeling will get it sharp again

[sortedfood]

@johnxy888 correct... just tickle the knife on the steel little and often.

[padowan6]

This is fantastic! SO helpful, thank you! Love the music too :)

[InkyM4]

Thanks, this is really helpful! I agree that it can't be easy to keep focused on the slicing with everything going on in the SORTED kitchen ;-)

[lasofh7]

PLEASE! do a video on making a pumpkin cheesecake! I want to try something other then pumpkin pie. PLEASE!!!!

[dollylollyful]

video uploaded 11/11-11, nice ;)

[ice7771]

when you said steel the first time, i believe you meant whetstone...but we know what you mean, awesome advice!

[Dessiiful]

i learnt all these in the take away from our chef didn't realise they was proper skills... the last one i always fail at =.=' (it's how chinese make seaweed )

[missfish123]

alright mum

[sujijoy05]

damn i was waiting for you use a tomato.I hate cutting them.lol.

[danJmcneil]

THANKS FOR DOING THIS ;D

[MeHasCookie]

You called a paprika a pepper! xD Do you have a vid or a tip about cutting mushrooms? I always have trouble with those, theyre too damn small xD

[Jolly4Reel]

what did you do with the veggies you chopped up?

[danJmcneil]

@Jolly4Reel use for sauces or soups and stocks.

[sortedfood]

@Jolly4Reel made a yummy soup! :-D

[hhhcce]

@sortedfood Veggie samurai...........

[turnpage300and94]

and the blue plaster is explained!!!! <3

great video <3

[ruchigotrouble]

Ahh, you should have julienned a carrot! Hahah c: I have pretty dull knives and it's very difficult.

Also, I was wondering if you did can do a video with pesto...I couldn't find one on your channel. :c

[sortedfood]

@ruchigotrouble You didn't look very hard :-P We did a recipe within our This Morning spoof, have a look at that!!

[Thimmix33]

he is british and he can cook . sexyyy ♥

[Shorigun]

Do you guys have any tips on how to reduce the amount of crying when you cut a onion?

[sortedfood]

@Shorigun Funny you should ask...check out our "Crying Over Onions" video!

[Noisette4700]

Could you make a video on pie dough? I tried making it dozens of times and still can't get it right...

[sophsincolour]

Yo. This was a really helpful video!

But is there anyway to save a knife that's been given a rounded edge?

[PhoenixPlaneswalker]

Could you do an 'ask the chef' on how to cut a cooked whole chicken?

[jaccalax]

this was very helpful, thank you very much!!

[lovemac95]

when you said 'cutting like a pro', my mind naturally converted it to 'like a BOSS' >_<

[thegallopingactress]

what knife is that?

[thegallopingactress]

wow leasrned so much this video! also can you do your own take on amjuicebox?

[isaheartjesus]

this is so helpful, thanks!!

[sortedfood]

@RHillsMakeup Check out our Crustless Quiches or our Tupper Salads - they're both perfect for picnics!

[imthedonna]

When using the sharpening steel, I place the tip of the steel on a cutting board angled away from me. Same method you stated, but start near the handle and sharpen away from the body. Rule of thumb with knives, movement should always be away from the body.

[risingxforce]

safety first, then teamwork

[ACEBennet]

Did anybody else think of The Princess and the Frog while he was talking about minced? No? ... just me then?... ok...

[waaallis]

my student loan is running very very low and i was wondering if you could do some super cheap recipes that can be altered to feed us for a few days. penne gets very boring after a while!

[PlatypusGuitar]

I already knew all of that but I like to listen to your sexy accent ^^

[Tspeak111]

Thank you for this video! I cut my first 2 fingers on my right hand a few years ago while cutting a watermelon and for lack of better words, I've been terrified of cutting anything. I also watched your onion chopping video. We use lots of onion and it takes me forever to chop it. I had the same technique going, but was cutting all the way through the root. I've also been scared of that big knife :-) I will sharpen it and give it a try! Thanks again!

[rosenthalstudios]

now all that's missing is a video about what to look for when you buy a knife :D

[theatrebabe13]

The question is, Ben, can YOU use a knife properly? Remember that blue bandage? Safety first Ben ;]

[sortedfood]

@theatrebabe13 Safety first indeed, I'm living proof of that!!

[UnlimitedApathy]

I'm in my first semester of Culinary at College. So far veg cuts are my mortal enemy, tournees in particular. Any advice on how to do them? I can never seem to get the 7 sides :(

[bulletfanmhdan]

Ben, what's the history behind these names? Did some chef (probably French...) at some point standardise knife techniques?

[MegaCalvinHobbes]

Would you be able to make a traditional Polish/Slavic dish?

[steejk]

Do you not need to sharpen serrated knives then?

[AnaheraSanchez]

can you please make more malaysian food :P

[fireball6625]

Hey, could you do a good salsa?

[sortedfood]

@fireball6625 Hit up our website and search for salsa...we made one in LA! :-D

[xinbeichng]

Why did u do with all those chopped vegetables then...? Heh. Curious.

[alexandrianeloquence]

i'm pretty sure i've cut things up in all those types of ways before, but i had no idea they had names!

[ShaytardsFTC]

Are you single? Haha!

[mortadelletube]

This vid could be subtitled "Ben teaches French" haha - but what did you do with all the cut veggies afterwards? Soup? Salad? Stir fry? Surely you never throw out food! :)

[UnlimitedApathy]

@mortadelletube All of the above! :D

[alexandrianeloquence]

...took a while to grow back? are you part time lord? :)

[sortedfood]

@alexandrianeloquence ;-)

[sourstrawberriesxx]

How much money should you spend on a good knife?

[rororyfi]

101 how to... love you guys!

[alwaysfariza]

Basically, all I got from that was.... Cutting with a rocking motion (just in different sizes) and the one with your hand above the knife :D

I can NEVER cut like that lol. I always stop whenever there's like half the veggie left, because I'm scared I'll cut myself XD

[neeqee20]

This is really helpful! I hope you can try cooking "sisig" from my country... "to snack on something sour"......method of preparing fish and meat, especially pork, which is marinated in a sour liquid such as lemon juice or vinegar, then seasoned with salt, pepper and other spices