By George Josserme
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Some people take pride and enjoy setting a table with the finest utensils to serve food. It is not done seldomly or for special occasions. Most likely, they do it every day.
One way to tastefully set a table is with French cutlery. Traditionally, and since the days of Robin Hood, Europeans excelled forging steel blades. Knowledge and experience with blades for the battlefield was passed on to utensils they use on their every day table. French could not be an exception to centuries-old European traditions.
There are several French artisans working in manufacturing establishments that forge a magnificent cutlery. This article elaborates on two of them which are not the only ones in France. One is dedicated to complete sets of knives, forks, spoons, and other utensils used when a meal is served. Another French artisans are dedicated to top-notch knives of exquisite quality for preparing food before it is served.
The first manufacturer is Laguiole and the other is Sabatier.
Are their sets and individual pieces costly? Yes, they are. However, their sets and pieces will last a lifetime, and most likely, they will be passed from one generation to the next. Consequently, the author of this article considers that the cost is a "once in a lifetime investment." After such one time investment, there is nothing else to purchase for great many decades to come, and well into the next generation.
Meanwhile, an entire family, or a couple, or a single person, or the Chef of the family will be enjoying the best that French artisans, their traditions, their steel, their woods, and their pains-taking attention to details have to offer. Most likely, French flatware will gain value as time goes by.
Laguiole makes exquisite sets that dress up a table every day. The details, the balance, the weight, the woods used, and handling each piece spells quality all over. One can tell how they send such message when people hold one in their hand and keep on looking at it for a while. It is because people can tell they are holding one unique piece, and unless they are French, they are not used to it. It is likely that a conversation arises out of these pieces that make a table look elegant, graceful, and pleasing.
The other brand name is Sabatier. They make knives for chefs and gourmets all over the world. A reputable school in the U.S.A. chose to exclusively use their knives. It appears that well known and recognized experts passing their knowledge and expertise on to new generations of cooks and gourmets must know why they will not use anything else.
If one has a family get-together at the park or want to have a picnic with a sweet-heart, French are present with knives for those activities. As expected, the Opinel knives last a lifetime. They are so well thought-out that in 1985 Opinel was recognized ~along with Porsche 911 and Rolex watches~ as one of "100 Best Designed Objects In The World" at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, Great Britain.
Enjoy, et Bon Appetite !
A complete collection of Laguiole cutlery may be seen at Laguiole in France. The school using Sabatier is Bon Vivant School of Cooking, and this is Opinel in North America.
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