Global Knife Give-Away — Yeah, That’s What I’m Talkin’ About
There are moments in cooking that are truly life-changing.
My first time using a really sharp, really well-made knife was such an instance.
I had grown up using my parents’ mishmash of knives that were piled in a kitchen drawer and sharpened only in a blue moon.
In my 20s, though, I purchased my first high-end carbon steel chef’s knife on sale at a department store. I brought it home, unwrapped it from its box, and set a yellow onion on a cutting board to give it a try.
With my first slice through the onion, I nearly shrieked. The knife glided through the dense layers of the hard onion as easily as a puck whooshes around an air hockey table. I cut another slice, and nearly yelped again. What a joy this was! To be able to cut such thin slivers or chop so evenly — all completely effortlessly — was truly a revelation.
A good knife is absolutely one of the best investments any cook can make.
Of course, it’s not always easy to shell out that kind of money, especially in these challenging times. That’s why I’m thrilled to be able to give one lucky Food Gal reader a “Global 7-inch Oriental Chef’s Knife.” Global knives are beloved by serious cooks worldwide for their sharp, precise, thin blades. These elegant Japanese knives sell for a pretty penny, too.
I have the folks at CSN stores to thank for allowing me to give away such a coveted prize. CSN has more than 200 online stores that sell everything from cookware to yoga accessories to bamboo flooring to barstools.
Contest: The contest is open to anyone in North America. Deadline to enter is the close of Feb. 27. The winner of the Global knife will be announced March 1.
How do you enter? It’s simple as this:
Describe something that’s sharp.
And describe something that’s dull.
The most creative or memorable response to both those questions will win the Global knife.
To get you started, here are my responses:
Sharp: The outrageous wit of Chris Rock that makes my jaw drop. The extraordinary food writing of Michael Ruhlman that makes me sigh with both envy and admiration. And the little black dress in my closet that I have to be at my skinniest to shimmy into, and the fierce black patent heels that go with it.
Dull: Cooking shows that are about everything except cooking. Foie gras haters who’ve never even tried the stuff and still gorge on factory-raised beef, pork and chicken without a care. People who can’t take their eyes off their Blackberry at the dinner table. (Sorry, but only doctors on-call should get a pass on this one.)
Now, it’s your turn….
More: A Cool, Easy Way to Julienne Carrots That Will Rock Your World
Just looking at that knife reminds me that I’m a college student, trying to get by with what I have… which is a sad assortment of very cheap things which can barely cut a cake sometimes.
So here we go, a recount of what is sharp and dull in the life of a college student who just likes to cook.
Sharp: The scent of gently bruised Rosemary mingled with ginger, their juices slowly making their way into a cut right underneath a thumbnail injured from peeling almonds three hours earlier. The sound of the food processor in the background, grinding away at chickpeas at two in the morning, coupled with the banging of a cakepan against the counter in hopes of getting a smooth cake in an ancient oven. The bite of lemon seeping into the cracks of neglected dry skin while cooking in a heatless dorm kitchen.
Dull: The prickling at the back of the eyeballs after spending six or more hours in the kitchen. The hum of fluorescent lighting flickering every so often, causing the illusion of sunlight across rippling water to dance around the walls. The resulting headache of above said display of lighting, all while preparing for a meal to share in our little dorm kitchen.
sharp: will shortz! the king of crosswords with the greatest power to puzzle!
dull: being stuck inside on a beautiful day.
Sharp: sharp cheddar cheese, a taste that makes your taste buds sit up and take notice, maybe a little insulted, but after the first gasp, pleased.
Dull: twinkies, bad oranges (or apples) – the taste that is less than expected, flat, not even an unhappy surprise, just a nonevent. Or an almost antique Fingerhut knife. Those things do not sharpen!
Sharp: My sister – she’s my go to person for anything and everything, I trust her with my life and soul.
Dull: The apprehension I feel about my favorite cookie (the French macaron) because I know it’s about to be bastardized like cupcakes.
If I won this knife I promise to never put it in the dishwasher, and never leave it wet and piled with the other knives on the dish rack underneath all the heavy duty pots and pans!!!
Sharp: My mind before I became pregnant with my daughter. Yes, people used to call me sharp! That is but a faint memory . . .
Dull: Listening to my husband retell a joke that I just heard him laughing out loud at but I missed because I was in the other room. It is NEVER funny any more when he tells it, but I can always imagine that it was before . . .
Dull: my brain, at 7 am.
Sharp? same brain, post espresso!
Dull: my basement apartment. I need natural light!
Sharp: my high heel shoes
dull – my mind after 3 pregnancies/children! I can’t remember much these days 😉
sharp – my mind pre-mommyhood….wish I’d known to enjoy it then!
Sharp: My 2 year old who has learned that the step stool that we put in the bathroom so that he can wash his hands can be easily moved to the kitchen….where the knives are located! Luckily he’s usually only looking for sweets & not the sharp utensils.
Dull: My cooking. I need to learn to spice up my cooking a bit, especially geared towards toddler appetites.
sharp: the acerbic pain of burning jealousy
dull: the infinite ache of melancholic ennui
(inspired by one of the sharpest minds in the dullest climates, Chekhov in Tsarist Russia)
sharp: pulling a stunt in public, not getting enough attention and anonymously calling a news tip in on yourself to get better press.
dull: listening to your internet date drone on and on about the powerful women in his life and how much they control him.
Sharp: Having something I’ve cooked tasting absolutely fabulous with a new untried recipe which I made some changes to
Dull: Having trashed something I’ve cooked because I’ve made changes to a new untried recipe
Sharp: Stephen Colbert dressed as a Mountie
Dull: No more Vancouverage
My lovely Mother knows everything.
Me: “Oh hey Mommy, (munch munch munch)I can’t really chat, I just sat down to dinner.(munch munch)”
Mom: “Well, don’t let me bother you. Call me later… What are you having?”
Me: “Um, salad. Um, it’s really good. It has cilantro(munch), and avocado…and(munch munch)…”
Mom: Really?
Me: “(…gulp) sorta. So I’m eating guacamole for dinner, ok? So what? It’s tasty and…and I love you.”
Mom: “I love you too Laur, your Father says hi.”
Very sharp indeed.
Now dull. Dull can be a few things, but to me, dull was when a boy I thought could be interesting invited me over for dinner. He was making his “specialty” which turned out to be frozen stir fry. Oh and let’s not forget snack sized fruit cocktail cups for dessert. He was right, it was very special.
Needless to say, I’m in love with a chef now. That means the guacamole is homemade.
For this klutz,
Sharp: Any knife in my kitchen.
Dull: Any knife in my kitchen.
Sharp: The smell emanating from my baby’s diaper.
Dull: Me talking about the above said diaper.
Sharp: the pain that goes directly from my nose to my brain when I get too much wasabi in a single bite
Dull: a friend going on in great and gory detail about a boringboringboring dream they had the night before
SHARP: The insta-pucker of fresh meyer lemon juice in the lemon vinaigrette on the arugula salad. Rather, too much fresh meyer lemon juice.
DULL: Having to add Annie’s poppy seed salad dressing to balance out said fresh meyer lemon juice.
I have been wanting a good knife for the longest time! So here it is:
Sharp: Sunshine when I woke up, the smell of fresh cut lemon in the kitchen, a walk to the farmers market and find gorgeous assorted berries and tulips, the blooming cherry blossom trees
Dull: Hmm…Having to go to work on a cold rainy and windy day and faced with code all day 🙁
Sharp: My four old daughter’s mind.
Yesterday, my husband says, “Claire, do you know what a food group is?” she replies, “yes,it’s people that go to a meeting and eat.” (so clever!) AND….my handsome husband in his military uniform!
Dull: Watered down coffee and overcooked mushy vegetables.
Ok, so I’m taking every opportunity to brag about this but I thought it would give me a shot at that knife.
Dull:
me 10 months ago…
http://www.markdelrossi.com/Before.png
Sharp:
me 10 minutes ago (and 96 pounds later)…
http://www.markdelrossi.com/After.png
having some appropriate cutlery for my cooking would help with the next 20 lbs! 🙂
Sharp: I started out sharp as a tack, left everyone in the Dust;
Dull: But now I find that my great mind is slowed way down with Rust !!??
Sharp: A woman who has learned how to cook and truly enjoys preparing an elegant, romantic dinner for her man.
Dull: A woman who expects to be wined and dined every evening, and is proud to say, “I only have a kitchen because it came with the house.”
Sharp: The flavor that preserved meyer lemons adds to a dish.
Dull: Beluga caviar without a good champagne.
Sharp: The immense pain one can experience from a paper cut – can you imagine a cut from a Global knife? 🙂
Dull: Being on a blind date and your only opportunity to speak is when placing your drink order with your server.
The Global knife contest is now closed. Come back on Monday to find out who the lucky winner will be — AND for the start of a new, exciting contest. 😉
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Knives, the unpretentious pinnacle of culinary preparation. My set is uh, rather lacking. I don’t own a knife to my name. But, with your help, this 15 year old aspiring chef can make……. *music* Good Eats!
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