"utensils" news and stories

I admit that I have more specialty cooking gadgets than is absolutely necessary. Pickle grabbers, microplanes, whisks and potato mashers fight it out daily for the limited storage space in my kitchen. However, there are a few items that seem excessive, even to me. Take, for instance, this popcorn fork. Yes, someone has invented a utensil for one of life's perfect finger foods (with a built-in salt shaker).

What do you think? Is it crazy, or does it seem like the perfect way to prevent greasy popcorn fingers?

Via Apartment Therapy: the kitchen

Ladies and gentlemen and Slashfood readers of all ages, put on your thinking caps and direct your attention to the photo at right. It's time to play name that utensil.

I'll give everyone a head start, by stating the obvious. As you can see the image of the utensil in question is clearly an antique. What, you say that's not enough of a clue upon which to hang a guess! Fair enough: it's a fork.

Still not enough to go on? This particular mutation of the fork is designed to aid the consumption of a rather messy food of which there are purported to be more than 500 varieties. Check the jump for the answer.

Earlier this year, I put together a list of chopsticks in celebration of the Chinese New Year. Some of them were just beautifully luxurious, others were made for trvael, and still others were made for kids. Well, some of them were also made like they were for kids, but are for those of us who are still imprpving our dexterity on chopsticks. Training chopsticks.

Now we have the "chork," something like training chopsticks, but instead of making us feel like we don't know how to use chopsticks, these are intended to be used as both chopsticks and a fork, and as Daily Olive put it, "just right for your next Asian fusion meal." Available from lrfurniturestdios.

[via: Daily Olive]

Have you ever seen someone using a fork, knife or another eating utensil in a way that seems incredibly awkward? Because the ability to use a knife and fork is a mark of a well-socialized individual and is a skill that is typically picked up from observing others, it is hard not to wonder they picked up such unusual habits. In Japan, some schools are wondering the same thing and want to make sure that such sloppy, untraditional habits of chopstick use are stopped before they spread any further. The Hisatagakuen Sasebo Girls' High School will be testing students on their skill with chopsticks as part of their entrance examinations. The 10-minute test will require that students "transfer beads, marbles, dice and beans from one plate to another."

Administrators say that the purpose of this test is to show respect for "the Japanese spirit" but, in light of the decline of chopstick use among Japanese children, it also seems like a rather unusual way to make sure everyone has good table manners.

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As if there aren't enough strange food gadgets in the world already, we manage to keep finding new and unusual ones. These Finger Forks look like miniature versions of the Wolverine's claws, but are small enugh to slip, ring-like, onto each finger. They are made of stainless steel and, like other types of forks, are sharp enough to pierce most foods. They are suggested for use at cocktail parties, but you run the risk of having people think that you are repeatedly dipping your fingers into the various dips and sauces. They would be better suited to a restaurant where the food is typically eaten with the fingers - many Moroccan restaurants, for example - so someone unfamiliar with the practice can stay within their comfort zone and still use a utensil. The forks might also work out well for people who can't manage chopsticks and are too embarassed to ask for a fork.

[via boingboing]

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