Essential for a real foodie

As I drove through Reading town centre the other day, my eye was drawn to the newest and tallest building on our skyline.  Yell are relocating to a purpose built headquarters called ‘The Blade’.  Some might say a brave example of modern architecture, with its pinnacle soaring into the sky, others perhaps a towering testament to knife culture!

I suppose knife culture and an admiration for the blade is where, for a fleeting moment, the dedicated foodie and youth of modern urban gang culture share a moment of collegiality.

The passionate foodie, rather than having a plethora of knives, will have only a few in their repertoire.  I content myself with 13cm all-purpose knife, a good ultra-sharp flexible boning knife and a carving knife.  What you absolutely won’t find in their collection is a flesh tearing electric knife!

All things Japanese
We always keep an eye to the east for the latest thinking in precision knives as we know that the Japanese do it best. The Kai knife from Tokyo is in my opinion the very best in the World.

Take a course
The best of us will have been on a knife skills course, and ofcourse the way we use knives has changed a lot since my catering college days.  The best courses around at the moment are run by Divertimenti and Leith’s.

The matching set in a wooden block
If you have one of these then you need to tear up your foodie membership card immediately! The truth is that the wooden blocks probably blunt knives as quickly as throwing them in a draw.  The knowing foodie will use a magnetic strip – there are some very trendy circular ones called Solo.  It is important that knives are honed and sharpened to their cutting best, good steel is therefore essential.

Balance is everything
Of course we foodies know that balance in a knife is the hallmark of quality and favourites are the ice-tempered razor-sharp Global, Henkel, Wusthof and for ergonomic perfection look no further than the Mac.

The Knife Snob
Those of us truly in the know will talk about the Rockwell Rating.  All my knives are 56-8 rating (are there foodies who’s knives are not?) Believe me it’s the rating for a true 'cutting edge' knife.

Cheese knives
The proper foodie is not happy with just one cheese knife.  Absolute essentials and therefore great Christmas gifts include the Parmesan knife, a scoop for Vacherin Mont D’or, a Raclette slicer blade and a Stilton spoon.