Have you ever grated your face? No? Me either. Ouch.
But I have grated knuckles, finger tips and believe or not, a wrist once. In fact, I have one uncle who grated his entire thumb clean right off. And if you’ve ever grated anything, you can imagine how unclean that would actually be.
Though I have to disclose it wasn’t so long ago that I was a bit afeared for my face that one whole day I worked on a line in a real restaurant kitchen. Naive, optimistic and hungry for the chance to create my own menu, I cluelessly donned my whites and pranced in all sunshine and unicorns without knives, training or any idea about how much time I was going spend slaving over the hot deep fryer and a vat of congealed chicken wings.
…There’s a reason line cooks don’t wear make up. And why I worked the front of house for over a decade.
It was two thirds of the way through my shift and between the lunch and dinner rushes. We spent the afternoon par-boiling vegetables, re-stocking the mis en place and making crude jokes about the servers and bartenders.
Note to anyone else who has ever worked front of house and thinks they’re bad-ass in any way shape or form: We got nothing on the kitchen.
So anyhow, it was two thirds of the way through my shift, kitchen was tidy, people were crude and sweaty and all kinds of awesome, and suddenly a giant contraption with a massive metal blade was plonked down before me. Along with about 20 pounds of potatoes. WTF?
I realized – after a quick and dirty tutorial (just how I like it) – that I was to make potatoes. On this. An absurd contraption of steel and blades. Without a hand guard. And it was dull. As fuck.
My greatest fears were realized in that moment: This was how I was going to die.
I made it through about 2 potatoes before I started to have a bit of a mental break and luckily they pulled me off the station, probably knowing full well I’d never cut it in a professional kitchen. At least not one where I had to grate potatoes. I just don’t have “the stuff”… Despite my ability to knock back beer and curse like a sailor. It was then that I admitted to myself, much to my dismay – and shock to my pride – that I was in fact, a front of house kinda gal.
Truthfully, if it weren’t for the oh-so-gross and unhappy chicken wing drawer, I probably would have toughed it out. But that wasn’t the kind of food I wanted to cook. You know me – organic, local, seasonal, pastured meat and eggs, and all that other happy food bullshit. That’s me. Vat of fatty, conventionally processed chicken? Not so much. And I certainly didn’t want to pull an Uncle Blaine and lose a thumb.
So instead, I content myself with cooking at home. And for friends. And the occasional party. But just because I’m not working in a professional kitchen doesn’t mean I don’t want professional grade gear. And like any good knife, the instruments you use to grate, zest or peel your ingredients should be sharp, feel good in your hand and be generally awesome. Like you. And me. Obviously.
Today I’m giving away 1 of 3 Microplane Kitchen Tools (I use all 3 in my own kitchen) to help you not lose a thumb. Or your face. Or your pride.
1. The Microplane® 4-Sided Box Grater with Safety Cover. This 4 sided box features the new extra coarse blade, slicer blade, and two most popular blades, medium ribbon blade and fine blade. Ergonomic, soft grip handle. Easy to clean – the fine blade removes for easy access. The grater is dishwasher safe and rubber footings add stability.
2. The Microplane® Gourmet Series Fine Grater. Derived from the original woodworking tool that made the Microplane® Zester famous, the stainless steel Elite Zester has the same famous razor-sharp rasp and includes a soft-grip handle and a catch feature that makes citrus zesting, spice grating and even mincing garlic easier and more convenient!
3. The Microplane® Elite Series Fine Zester. Made out of stainless steel with an ergonomically designed handle. It always features a non-slip base, reusable cover and is dishwasher safe. It’s ideal for grating all types of citrus peel without lifting off the fruit’s bitter-tasting pith.
Enter the Giveaway:
1. This contest is open to Canadian mailing addresses only and who have reached the age of majority in the province, state or territory in which they reside.
2. MANDATORY: Simply leave a comment below and tell me which of these 3 Microplane tools you’d like and why.
3. BE SURE to click the widget options below for both mandatory and optional entries because you can’t be entered to win if the widget doesn’t know you’ve done it! Your email address is ONLY used to contact you if you’ve won, not for any other purpose, and is never made public.
4. Giveaway closes Sunday night, February 8 at 11:59pm.
Disclosure of Material Connection: Microplane DID provide me a review copy at no cost. Regardless, I only recommend, giveaway or share products or services I use personally and genuinely believe will be of interest to my readers. All opinions, words and information here are entirely accurate and a reflection of my true experience and were not influenced, in any way, by the above mentioned products or companies. Opinions and views are my own. Because that’s how I roll, yo. I’ve never been one to shut my mouth – I’m not going to start now. If something sucks, why would I waste your time? I wouldn’t. Capiche?
Jacqueline Gum (Jacquie)
February 2, 2015 at 5:22 AMI live in the US and am not qualified, however: hilarious, your back of the house story. Nothing wrong with being a front of the house gal…even though we did, in the back of the house, make a few crude jokes about the pansies out there:)
Jacqueline Gum (Jacquie) recently published…Ma’am… Where’s The Justice?
Louisa
February 2, 2015 at 7:59 AMLove the fine zester! Use it like crazy in my kitchen 🙂
Louisa recently published…Sticky Tandoori Spiced Chicken Wings
La Cuisine d'Helene
February 2, 2015 at 8:00 AMI would love the 4 five-star blades in one. I would use it during the summer in our RV when we go camping.
Karen Ahmed
February 2, 2015 at 8:02 AMIt’s like you read my mind … I was just thinking I needed to get a new zester!
Ryan
February 2, 2015 at 8:39 AMI would love the box grater! The fine grater I use all the time for parmesan on pasta, and it’s the best to grate ginger!
Chris at Hye Thyme Cafe
February 2, 2015 at 8:47 AMAs much as I love the look/idea of the box grater … it’s the first one I’ve ever seen with feet and love that the fine blade comes off for easy cleaning … for space/storage reasons, I would love the Elite Series Fine Zester. I have a few graters, but when I want something “fine,” I have to resort to my tiny nutmeg grater, which is a pain. This would come in very handy and not take up as much space as some others. Thanks for the opportunity! 🙂
Chris at Hye Thyme Cafe recently published…Cider-Braised Beef Short Rib Poutine
Chris at Hye Thyme Cafe
February 2, 2015 at 8:55 AMOOPS, sorry … the rules came after the widget, so I didn’t see that this was for Canada only. 🙁
Chris at Hye Thyme Cafe recently published…Cider-Braised Beef Short Rib Poutine
Julia @ Swirls and Spice
February 2, 2015 at 9:44 AM#3, because I want to use more fresh ginger and this looks like the way to do it!
Julia @ Swirls and Spice recently published…Tuna and White Bean Salad with Tahini and Avocado
ceecee
February 2, 2015 at 9:49 AMThe fine grater!
ceecee recently published…Basil Pesto
ceecee
February 2, 2015 at 9:50 AMoops because the zester I have is quite old..
ceecee recently published…Basil Pesto
Tanya
February 2, 2015 at 10:00 AMha! kristy. You always make me laugh. Girls in a professional kitchen for the first time are always a little surprised. I can always tell the newbies by their makeup.
Tiffany
February 2, 2015 at 10:28 AMI would love the box grater! Too many grated knuckles in my household!
Al
February 2, 2015 at 10:29 AMI would love to have the “fine grater” to enhance my ginger consumption, please!
Mary
February 2, 2015 at 12:21 PMI could really use that fine grater! I make do with what I have but seriously in need of the real thing!
Mary recently published…Silent Sunday {feb. 1, 2015}
Angie @ Friday is Cake Night
February 2, 2015 at 3:05 PMI would gladly take any of them. I’m pretty sure I’m just using a small grater as my “microplane” Oops!
Angie @ Friday is Cake Night recently published…Peanut butter oat fudge bars
Shelby
February 2, 2015 at 3:29 PMThe box grater or fine zester would both be welcome additions to my kitchen arsenal. 🙂
Michelle
February 2, 2015 at 3:44 PMThat fine grater for sure… mine has finally given up the sharpness ghost after ten years of using it at least a few times a day. Keeping my (ungrated) fingers crossed 🙂
Michelle recently published…Is Local The New ‘Sacred’?
Brenda Penton
February 2, 2015 at 4:50 PMI like #1. I love the look of it and the fact that it is up a bit, “off the ground” so it gives me room to grate right to the bottom.
Meghan@CleanEatsFastFeets
February 2, 2015 at 5:51 PMAnything that helps prevent me from losing a digit is a winner in my book.
And I do a lot of zesting.
Glogirl
February 2, 2015 at 6:08 PMI would love to have the Microplane® Elite Series Fine Zester because it looks that a good quality zester that would be much sharper than the tools I currently use.
Amy C
February 2, 2015 at 7:07 PMI would like number 2. The Microplane® Gourmet Series Fine Grater because I need a fine grater.
Yuen C
February 2, 2015 at 8:02 PMI like the box grater because I think I will get more uses with it!
Andrew P
February 2, 2015 at 8:20 PMI like #1 My current grater is on its last leg, this would the perfect replacement. I like the size and the fact that it has a safety cover
Elke
February 3, 2015 at 6:24 AMI would love the box grater!
janet @ the taste space
February 3, 2015 at 6:37 AMThat elite series microplane looks great.
janet @ the taste space recently published…Sweet-and-Sour Marinaded Tofu Veggie Bowl + Keep It Vegan Review+GIVEAWAY
Simply called food
February 3, 2015 at 11:29 AMI wish I could enter, but I’m in Quebec. I love the microplanes!
Simply called food recently published…Energising green smoothie
Leah @ love me, feed me
February 3, 2015 at 1:05 PMI’m in desperate need of a zester! I never think to buy one and always think I don’t really need one. Until I’m trying to zest something on my cheese grater – not fun!
Leah @ love me, feed me recently published…Zesty Sweet Potato Coconut Bisque | A Guest Post
Eldon L
February 3, 2015 at 2:38 PMI like the Fine Grater because its really versatile!
Teresa
February 3, 2015 at 9:48 PMDefinitely the box grater. They are so often more a good idea than a useful reality. I think this company gets it right.
Teresa recently published…FFWD – Croquants
suzi
February 5, 2015 at 10:19 AMThe Microplane® 4-Sided Box Grater with Safety Cover because I’ve had box graters before but they never seem to work well and this will!
Laureen Fox
February 6, 2015 at 9:02 AMGreat prize pack. I could use all three! But if I had to pick just one, I would go with the zester.
Laureen Fox recently published…Recipe Roundup: 2015 Super Bowl #glutenfree
Jonnie
February 7, 2015 at 5:46 PMI would really like to try the box grater
Bree
February 7, 2015 at 6:23 PMThe Microplane® 4-Sided Box Grater with Safety Cover because I need a new one – just snapped the handle on my old one. They are all neat though, I would take any lol
heidi c.
February 7, 2015 at 6:43 PMI think I would choose the fine zester. I just got a box grater that seems awesome like this one.
ivy pluchinsky
February 7, 2015 at 6:51 PMI like the Fine Grater would come in handy here
Linda
February 7, 2015 at 8:09 PMI’d like the fine grater for cheese.
Amy Heffernan
February 8, 2015 at 3:51 AMI would love to try the The Microplane® 4-Sided Box Grater with Safety Cover!!!
Florence C
February 8, 2015 at 6:35 AMI would love the zester. I have not yet find one that really works well for me.
Darlene Schuller
February 8, 2015 at 9:36 AMThe Microplane® 4-Sided Box Grater with Safety Cover would be my choice as ours broke 2 weeks ago!
Jenny
February 8, 2015 at 11:18 AMLove the fine zester!
Jenny
February 8, 2015 at 11:19 AMhttp://instagram.com/jemsw16/
Wendy hutton
February 8, 2015 at 3:06 PMI would love the #2 fine grater
Belinda McNabb
February 8, 2015 at 3:21 PMI would like the The Microplane® Gourmet Series Fine Grater because I hate mincing garlic with a knife. It would be so much quicker
Tina L.
February 8, 2015 at 4:57 PMI would like the Fine Grater because it would be useful to grate right over the pot when I’m cooking.
Andrew P
February 8, 2015 at 5:11 PMFollowed you on Instagram @apham905
Sara Rai
February 8, 2015 at 8:53 PMLove the microplane series fine zester:)