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Knife Skills

Basic Knife Cuts: 9 Classic Chef Cuts Explained, With Sizes

The basic knife cuts are standard shapes professional kitchens use so food cooks evenly and looks intentional: large dice (3/4-inch cube), medium dice…

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Basic Knife Cuts: 9 Classic Chef Cuts Explained, With Sizes

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Knife Skills

How to Hold a Chef Knife With a Pinch Grip

To hold a chef knife with a pinch grip, place your thumb and the side of your bent index finger on opposite faces of the blade near the handle, then wrap…

Updated 2026-09-07 · 8 min read
Sauces & Stocks

How to Emulsify a Vinaigrette That Coats the Salad

To emulsify vinaigrette, whisk the vinegar, seasonings and recipe-specified mustard or other emulsifier first.

Updated 2026-09-07 · 7 min read
Sauces & Stocks

How to Fix a Broken Emulsion Without Guessing

Fix a broken emulsion by identifying the sauce before adding anything. Stop adding fat and remove a warm sauce from direct heat.

Updated 2026-09-07 · 8 min read
Heat Control

How to Caramelize Onions Properly (Why 45 Minutes Matters)

To caramelize onions, slice 2 to 3 pounds of yellow onions into even quarter-inch slices and cook them in a wide, heavy pan with 2 tablespoons of butter…

Updated 2026-07-19 · 7 min read

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Knife Skills

Knife Skills

Classic cuts with exact dimensions, stable setup, and deliberate handling.

Sauces & Stocks

Sauces & Stocks

Pan sauces, stocks, roux, reductions, and emulsions explained as repeatable methods.

Heat Control

Heat Control

Searing, browning, and caramelising through visible cues, temperatures, and timing.