Basic Knife Skills | Leveling Up with Emily Duncan

Hey gang! I'm working on a longer video that's taking a bit of time, so in the meantime, I thought it might be cool to take a minute to learn some super basic-est of basic knife skills for beginners and kitchen dumb-dumbs like me (I have other skills, for the record!). In this video, we'll learn the absolute baseline: how to hold and use a kitchen knife.

[maryamtara]

Emily you’re the best! I love how hard working you are, and it’s showing!!

[xtsdagger]

Evolving into a level 3 chef, one skill at a time!

[wwoods]

1:20 "A falling knife has no handle." [This also applies to the stock market.]
2:45 When slicing a round thing, **usually** make one slice, and then turn it, so you're slicing a round thing with a flat bottom. Exceptions are onion _rings, _ tomato slices, and ... that's pretty much it.

[heliotropei]

As a level 0 chef working to become level 1, I like this style of content! Thanks Emily!

[SamSnoekBrown]

True story: A few years ago, I (stupidly) did try to catch a knife, and yep. Sliced clean through a tendon in my index finger. Even after surgery, it still won't bend all the way. And I used to cook professionally! 🤦‍♂

Also, now that you actually *have* leveled up (I know, I'm coming to your channel late), I would love to see more videos like this!

[uptbug]

Yay! Now I will no longer have nightmares! 😂

I'm all seriousness though, 1. Yay for keeping appendages safe! 2. I just started watching Worst cooks in America. Most of those knife skills scare me to the point where a little pee comes out.

Like the "leveling up idea" for videos! 👍 I felt like there was some pretty good info in this video.

[dianahellman]

Omg, HOORAY that you are working on this! I would wince during the epi videos sometimes... good job! I'm relieved!!! And this is a cool idea for a series... leveling up to become a little more expert! Something we should all aim to do!

[serisothikos]

Oh thank goodness I've legitimately been worried about the finger on top thing bc that's how I cut myself when I was teaching myself how to cook in college (that and a dull knife - by their powers combined). Your cutaway (lol) image was apt.

Honestly, there's a ton of need for very straightforward tutorials on cooking basics. Good work!

[farronroboff]

Thank you Emily - this is more helpful than you know 😵

[fantasyenjoyer]

so will emily finally level up to 2 with these new knife skills ? find out more on dragon ballz

[angbotash]

You have the best kettle I've ever seen :D

[leidenschaftfaul]

I'll say it first: In a couple of years Emily will either have published a cookbook or opened a Restaurant. And epicurious has to grant her the title of a Level 3 Chef. And she will lead the small Level 1 chefs to a world of Ketchup and culinary art.

[adamsheffield]

Emily I have to admit, as a pro chef, I cringed at watching you chopping things. This is a great video and please - always use the Eagle claw! 😂

[daroboff]

I have been cutting wrong forever. No more!!

[ChaoticZero]

now if only i had a proper chef knife to be able to do this... xD Though i manage.

[tarunaperdana]

Never thought that you would have to learn how to handle a knife. I assumed that you were safe even though you are a level 1 chef, epicurious won't make an unsafe episode right? (apparently wrong :d )

I never looked to how you cut, I was busy smiling and laughing. But, it's great that you are learning

*now, time to go rewatch old epi videos to join the cringe army

[marcthelegend]

Wait, someone googled you to find your email address (god knows where from) and then emailed you about it.. talk about dedication!

[maximelepage]

Are you comfortable with the height of your cutting area though?
Granted I'm a bit smaller than you, but my new wooden board gets roughly as high as my belly button, 1½ inch higher than what I was used to, and it's much more comfortable.

[defaultuser]

On tonight's QQ livestream, Alton Brown chopped and prepared a meal blindfolded. Probably not the recommended method. But he's crazy, so . . . .

[ceanicify]

OK, 2:30 made me squirm. While you're doing this, could you show how to sharpen knives?