Best Knife Skills Classes NYC: Find Courses & Onsite Training

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What are Knife Skills?

Knives are one of the most used tools in the kitchen. Knife skills means the ability to use a knife safely and efficiently. In addition, knife skills include knowing how to choose the best knife, how to keep it sharp, and how to clean and store it properly. Mastering knife skills is a foundation of being a good cook. If you go to culinary school, knife skills are one of the first things that you’ll learn. According to the Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts, “One of the top culinary skills learned at cooking school is efficient and safe knife skills. The four basic knife skills any person studying culinary arts will learn are dicing, mincing, julienne, and chiffonade.”

Most experts believe that before people started using knives in the kitchen, they were used as weapons. People used them to hunt and kill animals, and to fight one another. Eventually, however, knives also began to be used as tools in the kitchen. Many people point to two origins for the design and manufacture of modern kitchen knives. One knife expert explains, “Today, modern kitchen knives are generally derived from two ‘schools’ – the German-style knife, based on knife designs mainly from Solingen, and the Japanese-style knive, based on knives produced mainly in Seki.” This expert article goes on to explain that German-style knives are relatively heavy and not razor-sharp, while Japanese knives tend to be light and very sharp.

Today, there are many different types of knives. The chef’s knife is one of the most popular and is used for a wide variety of different kitchen tasks. Le Cruset explains, “A chef's knife is among the most versatile knives in the kitchen and can be used for anything from chopping to cutting. Common uses for a chef’s knife include cutting meat, dicing vegetables, slicing herbs, and chopping nuts. The flat side of the knife can even be used to crush garlic.” It says, “Chef's knives typically have a sharp point and a prominent edge that features a sloping curve.”

Another popular knife is the serrated knife, which has a serrated edge and a longer blade. An article in Food & Wine explains, “Serrated knives, often appearing in the kitchen as bread knives, have a scalloped edge similar to a saw. They’re made for cutting through foods that are hard on the outside and soft on the inside, like a crusty loaf of bread or a whole pineapple, and are also great for slicing cakes–their long blades can move through a cake neatly, yielding pieces that are clean and intact.”

The third most commonly used type of knife is the paring knife. As explained on a cooking school blog, “A paring knife is basically a mini chef’s knife with a small blade that offers greater versatility and precision.” The blog article explains that a paring knife generally has a blade that is about 3.5 inches or shorter, and that it is good for things like peeling, mincing, and detailed work like making garnishes.

Why Learn Knife Skills?

There are many good reasons to learn knife skills. If you plan to work in any type of culinary job, you’ll need to master knife skills. Indeed explains, “A significant part of a cook's job involves chopping ingredients, such as onions, tomatoes, carrots and cucumbers. Because of this, an employer may expect you to have basic knife skills so you can select an appropriate knife, sharpen it and use it to peel, chop, clean, mince or dice ingredients.” Because knife schools are one of the most important foundations of cooking, if you take any kind of basic cooking class, knife skills are likely to be one of the first things that you learn.

However, you don’t have to be working in a culinary job to benefit from learning knife skills. It’s a good idea to learn knife skills if you plan to do any type of food preparation. One reason for this is that mastering knife skills will help you cook more safely. According to an article on the Koi Knives website, “Learning proper knife skills minimises the chance of food preparation mishaps. Understanding proper handling and grip techniques is critical for controlling and reducing slips and cuts. You may protect yourself and others in the kitchen by practicing safe practices like the claw grip and a solid cutting surface.” Part of learning knife skills is learning how to keep your knife sharp. Some people worry that a sharp knife is dangerous, however, experts explain that a sharp knife actually helps you cut more precisely and reduces the chance of you cutting yourself.

Another reason to learn knife skills is so that you can prepare food more efficiently. When you learn knife skills, you’ll learn how to cut food more quickly and how to reduce waste. Koi Knives explains, “Precise knife techniques allow you to get the most out of your ingredients, ensuring that every slice and dice adds to the final dish. Improved efficiency allows for faster meal preparation and a smoother kitchen workflow.”

When you master knife skills, you can also prepare food that looks more appealing and professional. One expert explains that cooking is about more than just preparing food; the way that food looks is also important. He says, “Beyond their utilitarian functions, knives are tools of artistic expression in the culinary world. A chef’s ability to craft intricate cuts and designs with a knife can elevate a dish from ordinary to extraordinary. From garnishes to decorative vegetable carvings, knife skills allow chefs to showcase their creativity.” By learning how to use a knife properly, you’ll be able to prepare food that not only tastes good, but looks good too.

What You’ll Learn in a Knife Skills Class?

When you take a knife skills class, you’ll learn many different things about using and looking after knives. Many classes start with instructions on choosing the right knife. There are many different types of knives. They have different types of blades, which are all suited to different purposes. Knives also come in different sizes and weights. It's important to choose one that is balanced and comfortable for you so that you can cut accurately and not tire too quickly. Chef Jet Tila explains, “Manufacturers typically produce handles made from various materials and in varying shapes, intended to achieve a more custom fit to suit a variety of hand sizes. Spend some time holding the knife. A comfortable fit will improve the ease and speed with which you can work. A poor fit can result in fatigue or cramping. People with very small or very large hands should be sure that they are not straining to hold the handle.” Basic knives that you’ll learn about include a paring knife, used for peeling and detailed work; a serrated knife, which is designed for cutting items that have soft interiors--like tomatoes--or tough exteriors; and a chef’s knife, which is a commonly-used knife for a wide range of different types of cutting.

Another thing that you’ll learn in a knife skills class is how to hold your knife and how to hold the food that you’re cutting. There are specific techniques for each that help you cut efficiently and safely. There are a number of different ways to hold a knife, but in general, experts say that you need to make sure all of your fingers are in a place where it is impossible to cut them, you should be gripping both the blade and the handle, and you should have a relaxed grip. When it comes to your supporting hand, Forks over Knives explains “the claw,” which is a way to use your free hand to support the food that you’re cutting, without cutting yourself. It says, “This finger-protecting technique is one of the first skills budding chefs learn in cooking school. It takes practice, but once you get the hang of it, it will become automatic. To do it, shape your free hand into a claw by tucking four fingers behind your middle finger. Tightly grip the food with your claw hand, using all five fingers to hold it steady, with the thumb and pinky finger stabilizing the sides. Make sure the fingertips are always farther back from the knife edge than the knuckles.”

After you’ve learned how to select a knife and how to hold it correctly, you’ll learn a number of different ways to use your knife, such as chopping, dicing, and slicing. As explained in a New York Times knife skills article, there is a specific way to do each of these. For instance, the article explains, “Ddicing is the process by which vegetables and fruits, in all of their irregular and lumpy glory, are turned into small, neat cubes that cook uniformly. Whether chefs are prepping a giant potato or a baby carrot, they reduce the curves and bumps to cubic shapes. When that cube is cut along horizontal and vertical lines, neat dice are the result.”

Knife skills also include caring for your knives--for instance, storing and washing them correctly and sharpening them regularly--so that they will work optimally. You should wash your knives by hand because the dishwasher can cause them to become dull and deteriorate. You should also sharpen them often. The Food Network stresses, “Dull knives do a sloppy job — and they’re dangerous, too.” When it comes to storing your knives, you’ll find many different options, such as a knife block or a knife rack that fits in a kitchen drawer, but the most important thing is to protect the blade.

How Long Will It Take to Learn Knife Skills?

You can learn basic knife skills in a matter of hours, however, mastering those techniques will take longer. Mastery involves building muscle memory, which requires that you devote a significant amount of time to practicing your skills. Experts advise starting with simple cuts and after you have mastered those, gradually progressing to more difficult types of cutting. Experienced chefs say that over time, you’ll gradually become quicker and more accurate, and that eventually, you may be able to use a knife correctly without even thinking about what you’re doing. If you’re learning knife skills to use in your home kitchen, you may be able to learn what you need relatively quickly, but if you're learning these skills in order to work in the culinary field, you’ll likely take longer to achieve the level of mastery that you need. Some chefs say that it takes a number of years to really master knife skills.

What are the Advantages of Taking a Knife Skills Class?

There are a number of advantages to learning knife skills through a formal class. When you take a class, an experienced instructor can guide you through a structured learning program. You’ll gain an understanding of proper techniques, and progress in a systematic way. This approach will allow you to build a strong foundation, and then gradually add more advanced skills. In contrast, if you try to learn knife skills alone, you may not have any understanding of where to start and what skills you need to learn.

Another advantage of taking a class is that your instructor can see what you’re doing and give immediate feedback on your technique. They can help correct any mistakes quickly, which is important because not only can a poor technique be dangerous, but if you continue to use your knife incorrectly over a long period of time, you develop a bad habit that can be much more difficult to fix. In addition, using incorrect techniques over a long period of time can lead to problems like wrist pain.

When you take a knife skills class, you may also get the opportunity to try out a number of different knives. Some classes provide a variety of knives for students to test so that they can see what works best for them. Since a good knife can be a significant investment, the opportunity to try out a variety of knives before you purchase anything can be extremely valuable.

Best Knife Skills Classes in NYC

If you live in New York City, you’ll find many different options for learning knife skills in person. Home Cooking New York offers a class called Knife Skills 101. In this class, students learn how to choose a knife, and how to hold, store, and sharpen their knives. 8-inch chef’s knives will be provided, but students are also welcome to bring their own knives. Students will receive their own knife-sharpening stones to take home, and will receive instruction on how to use them. After learning how to chop ingredients, they will make a meal to share at the end of class. Home Cooking New York is a cooking school located in downtown New York City. It runs hands-on classes for students of all different levels.

If you’d like to learn other culinary skills in addition to knife skills, Home Cooking New York also runs a culinary bootcamp. In Culinary Boot Camp Level I: For Beginner Cooks, you can learn a wide range of culinary skills. This is a hands-on, multi-week course. The first class is focused on knife skills and vegetable techniques. Students learn knife skills and sharpening, in addition to vegetable skills like blanching, roasting, sauteing, and seasoning. The next week is focused on chicken techniques, including butchering, understanding different cuts, and making stock and broth. After that, students learn about meat and vegetable techniques such as braising, searing meat, and pan sauces. Next, there is a class that covers fish and shellfish techniques like choosing fish, cleaning shrimp, and sauteing. After that, students learn egg and grain techniques, and then the final class is focused on making and cooking pasta.

Miette has been offering cooking classes in New York City since 2001. It runs a class called Knife Skills: The Fundamentals, where Chef Paul teaches essential knife skills. Students learn how to choose the right knives and how to take care of their knives. They will learn a range of different techniques including slicing, dicing, and chopping, while preparing a meal. In addition, they will learn about mincing herbs and supreming citrus. Menu items are tomato bruschetta, roasted chicken with carrots and parsnips, roasted potatoes with caramelized onions and charred peppers, and apple tarte fine.

Abigail’s Kitchen also runs a Knife Skills class. Students who take this class will learn safe and efficient knife skills. They will learn how to hold a knife, how to slice and dice, and what knives to use. They will also learn the difference between sharpening and honing, and how to use honing steel. In addition, the instructor will share a way to remove the garlic smell from your fingers. Students will prepare couscous salad, roasted vegetables, and caramelized pears. Abigail’s Kitchen is a cooking school in Greenwich Village. It offers cooking classes where students learn in a working restaurant kitchen.

Another knife skills class option in New York City is Knife Skills, which is offered by The Brooklyn Kitchen. This hands-on class covers essential knife techniques and safe kitchen practices. Students will learn how to shop for, select, and store ingredients. They will also learn about planning, prep, and timing. After that, safe kitchen practices will be covered. Students will learn about safe knife use and handling and about honing and sharpening knives. A light snack will be served, which will vary based on ingredient availability or chef’s fancy. The goal of the Brooklyn Kitchen is to revolutionize cooking by teaching people how to cook more effectively. It has a loft kitchen studio in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, where it offers a range of different cooking classes and events.

The Institute of Culinary Education also offers knife skills classes. Knife Skills 101 is designed to teach students to use knives safely and efficiently. They will learn how to hold a knife correctly, and how to slice, chop, and dice. Instructors also cover how to keep knives sharp and how to handle them correctly. Students will work in groups to prepare a menu, and at the end of class, they will eat the food that they have prepared. Wine is served. The Institute of Culinary Education was founded in 1975 and runs many different cooking classes in its facility in Lower Manhattan, which has 14 kitchens and classrooms.

Live Online Knife Skills Classes

Another way to learn knife skills is by taking an online class. Radical Cooks offers an online class called Knife Skills 101, where students can learn how to use a knife more efficiently. The class covers techniques for chopping, dicing, and slicing. Students will also learn more fancy cuts like chiffonade and julienne. In addition, the instructor will go over knife care, storage, and sharpening. Students will prepare and enjoy a meal with the food that they cut. Radical Cooks was founded by Nina Zippay, who is focused on helping home cooks make meals that are healthy, without sacrificing flavor.

You can also take an online knife class through The Jamie Oliver Cookery School, which is based in London but runs online classes that can be taken from anywhere in the world. Online Sharpen Your Knife Skills takes place via Zoom. In this class, expert chefs teach students everything they need to know about knives. They will cover sharpening and maintaining knives. They will also go over the professional knife grip and key knife techniques. Students will cut ingredients to make a stir fry after class. To get the most out of the session, students should have an 8-inch chef’s knife to use. This class can be attended by multiple people, as long as everyone is in the same room. The Jamie Oliver Cookery School was founded in 2016 and has the goal of creating memorable food experiences for everyone.

Another London-based online option for knife skills classes is the Gordon Ramsay Academy. This school is designed to provide fun and informative cooking classes for students of all ages and ability levels. Online Masterclass: Knife Skills is a knife skills class designed to help students become comfortable using their knives. Instructors will guide them through different chopping and slicing techniques, in addition to simple butchery. Students will work with a whole chicken, learning to joint it, butterfly the breasts, and create chicken schnitzel. They will also prepare vegetables for a salad, slaw, or remoulade. Students will have the opportunity to ask questions. They will also receive recipes.

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NYC Knife Skills Corporate & Onsite Training Noble Desktop

Knife Skills Training Locations in or Near NYC

Learn More About NYC Knife Skills Courses

What are Knife Skills?

Why Learn Knife Skills?

What You’ll Learn in a Knife Skills Class?

How Long Will It Take to Learn Knife Skills?

What are the Advantages of Taking a Knife Skills Class?

Best Knife Skills Classes in NYC

Live Online Knife Skills Classes

NYC Knife Skills
Corporate & Onsite Training