What Cutlery Does MasterChef Use? The Ultimate Guide

As an avid MasterChef viewer and home chef myself, I‘m fascinated by all the state-of-the-art equipment in the MasterChef kitchen. The gleaming knives and gadgets make me wish I could cook in that kitchen! In this guide, I‘ll share everything I‘ve learned about the amazing cutlery used on the show so you can equip your own kitchen like a MasterChef contestant.

Knives – The Critical Cooking Tools

High-quality knives are the most essential tools in any chef‘s arsenal. Let‘s take a look at the main knives commonly used by MasterChef contestants and judges:

Chef‘s Knife

The chef‘s knife, also called a cook‘s knife, is the workhorse for most cutting, chopping, dicing, and slicing tasks. It has a broad triangular blade that curves at the tip and tapers to a super sharp edge. The blade is typically 8-10 inches long. I find a chef‘s knife ideal for mincing garlic and herbs, cubing vegetables, slicing proteins, and more.

Santoku Knife

Originating in Japan, the santoku knife has a wide sheepsfoot blade perfect for quickly chopping onions, carrots, celery, and other veggies. Santoku means "three virtues" in Japanese, referring to how well the knife handles slicing, dicing, and mincing. I love using a santoku for precise cuts and thin slices.

Utility Knife

As the name implies, a utility knife is extremely versatile for small cutting jobs. With its lightweight 4-7 inch blade, I use a utility knife for tasks like peeling apples, trimming vegetables, slicing lemons, and cutting sandwiches. It‘s great for detailed work.

Paring Knife

Designed for intricate tasks and detail work, paring knives have short 2-4 inch blades. The tip allows for controlled cuts like removing shrimp veins, peeling, slicing small fruits, and decorative garnishes. It‘s also handy for cutting the membranous pith off citrus fruits.

Boning Knife

Boning knives have thin, narrow, and flexible blades ideal for removing meat from bones and cartilage. The sharp point eases around joints for precision. I rely on a boning knife when portioning chicken, meat, and fish.

Bread Knife

Bread knives have scalloped or serrated edges that gently saw through bread, cakes, and pastries without crushing them. The blade length ranges from 8-10 inches. I use a bread knife for slicing baguettes, loaves, and delicate baked goods evenly and cleanly.

Carving Knife

Extra long and thin with a pointed tip, carving knives provide the control needed to precisely slice roasts, poultry, and other large cuts of meat. I love using a quality carving knife when portioning a holiday ham or roast turkey.

Cleaver

Perfect for chopping through meat and bone, cleavers have very thick, heavy square blades tapered to a fine edge. Caution is needed when wielding these knives to avoid damage! I use a cleaver chiefly for meat fabrication tasks.

Fillet Knife

Fillet knives have thin, flexible blades that bend while slicing to expertly remove fish fillets from bones. The blade length averages 5-7 inches. I keep a dedicated fillet knife to process fish and get perfect fillets.

While this covers the primary MasterChef knives, specialty knives like melon ballers, turning knives, and poultry shears further equip the contestants for any cooking challenge.

Now that we‘ve covered the key knives, let‘s look at the famous chefs and brands featured on the show.

Spotlight on Knives Used by Celebrity MasterChef Chef Judges

The renowned MasterChef chef judges bring their specific knife preferences influenced by their training and cuisine styles.

Gordon Ramsay

The hotheaded British chef is frequently seen using German-made Wüsthof knives prized for their durability and razor-sharp edges. Gordon Ramsay has also collaborated with Wüsthof on custom chef‘s knives and knife blocks.

Ramsay is an investor in football club Rangers FC, and has even branded Rangers FC Chef Knives with the club‘s logo.

Joe Bastianich

Restauranteur Joe Bastianich leans toward Italian style knives, including forged blades by Poscil and Maserin. These knives combine Old World craftsmanship with modern technologies. The shorter, curved chef‘s knife profile suits the rocking chopping motion favored in Italian cuisine.

Graham Elliot

The Michelin star chef and MasterChef judge Graham Elliot is often spotted with premium Japanese knives by brands like Misono, MAC, and Global. He favors the sleek, minimalist design along with the supreme sharpness of Japanese steel. Elliot also uses modern Damascus steel knives made by Bob Kramer.

So while each judge has their personal taste, they all value superbly sharp and precision-crafted knives to execute cutting-edge cuisine!

Where MasterChef Knives Are Manufactured

The official MasterChef branded knives are made by Meyer Corporation, the company that owns the label. These affordable, entry-level knives are manufactured in China and Thailand.

However, many of the top-tier professional knives used on set come from Solingen, Germany and Japan, two areas renowned globally for cutlery production. Brands like Wüsthof, Zwilling J.A Henckels, and Misono all have factories in these cities.

There is a range of qualities represented, from MasterChef‘s budget housewares to the elite handmade knives used by the chefs. This allows home cooks to see a variety of knives in action.

Pros and Cons of MasterChef Knives

As an avid home cook, I‘ve used both premium knives and affordable options. Here‘s my take on the pros and cons of MasterChef branded knives:

Pros:

• Inexpensive – great for home cooks on a budget
• Classic triple-rivet handle provides a secure grip
• Available in common knife styles needed for most tasks
• Stainless steel resists corrosion
• Full tang construction is reasonably durable

Cons:

• Don‘t hold an edge as long as high-carbon steel
• Stamped construction less durable than forged
• Low-cost handles may feel flimsy
• Lack the sharpness and precision of Japanese knives
• Not hand-sharpened and finished by skilled artisans

So while MasterChef knives can absolutely get everyday kitchen jobs done, professionals and knife aficionados will likely lean toward more premium brands. But for fledgling cooks or kids learning their way around the kitchen, MasterChef knives are a budget-friendly choice.

What Happens to All the Leftover Food and Tools?

The MasterChef kitchen sees tons of ingredients go through it and get left behind after filming. But thankfully, hardly any of it ends up in the trash!

Perishable leftover food that wasn‘t tasted or served is donated to local charities and food banks like the LA regional food bank. Meat and produce are kept refrigerated and frozen to stay fresh until donation.

For food safety reasons, any ingredients that have been handled, cooked, or crossed contamination zones are not able to donated. These leftovers are discarded properly by the kitchen staff.

As for thecookware, appliances, and smallwares – these are either cleaned and reused for future filming or donated to culinary schools and charities. For example, the Los Angeles Mission gladly accepts donations of usable pots, pans, and kitchen tools to help those in need.

So while a lot of waste is generated by television production, MasterChef makes an effort to donate as much leftover food and usable items as possible.

Cost of Pro-Grade Knives Featured on MasterChef

Ever wonder what it costs to purchase those incredible chef knives flaunted by the judges? Here is a sampling of prices for pro-level knives seen on the show:

Wüsthof Classic Chef‘s Knife – $150

Miyabi Artisan SG2 Chef‘s Knife – $300

Bob Kramer Damascus Chef‘s Knife – $500

Yoshihiro VG-10 Hammered Chef‘s Knife – $180

Misono UX10 Chef‘s Knife – $220

Global Ni Chef‘s Knife – $310

These handcrafted, high-end knives provide amazing performance, edge retention, precision, and durability thanks to the exceptional steel, forging, sharpening, and quality control involved.

While the price tags may seem shocking compared to our $20 grocery store knives, a serious home cook will feel the difference and consider it money well spent for decades of use. Plus, you can build up your collection over time starting with the essential chef‘s knife as your workhorse.

Spotlight on Knives at Hell‘s Kitchen

Hell‘s Kitchen contestants face even more intense pressure cooking in a restaurant setting under Gordon Ramsay‘s tyrannical supervision!

Each competitor is provided a personal 9-piece Mercer Genesis knife roll with an 8" chef‘s knife, paring knife, utility knife, serrated knife, and sharpening steel. Brands include Wüsthof, J.A. Henckels, Dexter-Russell.

During filming, contestants can‘t take knife sets home for safety reasons. But they do get to keep their personalized knives as cherished souvenirs.

The grand prize awarded to the Hell‘s Kitchen winner includes an entire premium set of Zwilling J.A. Henckels knives, cookware, and appliances worth over $250,000!

Choosing Your Dream Knives Based on Cooking Style and Budget

The knives you choose should suit your skills, needs, budget, and cooking style. Here are my tips for selecting your perfect kitchen knives:

– Japanese vs German vs American Knife Styles

I prefer lightweight Japanese knives for their nimble precision, but German knives like Wüsthof provide weighty durability. American brands offer more affordable Western-style knives. Pick the style that feels best for you.

– Blade Materials

High-carbon stain resistant steel offers the best performance for most home cooks. But ceramic and Damascus steel provide interesting options.

– Handle Comfort

Pick knives with handles that feel natural in your grip and allow a comfortable, non-slip hold.

– Carefully Select Your Specific Knives

Focus first on the chef‘s knife you‘ll use most. Then add supplementary knives like a paring, bread, carving, and boning knife based on the tasks you do most. Go for quality over a large set of unnecessary knives.

– Proper Storage

Use a knife block, sheath, or magnet strip to keep blades safe, secure, and sharp. Never toss them in a drawer.

– Budget

Expect to spend $50 to $200+ per high-quality knife. I recommend investing in one great all-purpose chef‘s knife and adding additional knives over time.

With the right knives selected for your needs, cutting tasks will feel fun and effortless! I hope this guide gave you all the details on MasterChef cutlery so you can make smart choices for your kitchen. Let me know if you have any other knife questions!