A line cook in Denver told me my knife skills were 'all wrist, no shoulder'

I was working a pop-up in Denver last fall, just trying to keep up with the ticket machine. This older guy, Marco, was on the other side of the prep table. He watched me dice a case of onions for a solid minute, then just said, 'You're using all wrist, no shoulder. You'll be in pain by the third service.' He took my knife, showed me how to lock my wrist and let the motion come from my elbow and shoulder, and my speed doubled in about ten minutes. I haven't had that same ache in my forearm since. It was such a simple fix from someone who'd clearly been there. Has anyone else had a tiny piece of advice from a coworker that just completely changed how you do a basic task?

3 comments

3 Comments

juliag101mo ago

Read a similar tip about shoveling snow.

grace_white1mo ago

My back hurts just reading that.

fisher.adam1mo ago

Yeah, heard bending your knees is key to saving your back.