Do you know the quickest way to dull a knife? Turns out there are three. I'm the first to admit I've done two out of three of these things at one time or another, but now I know better — and you can, too! 

I absolutely love the smooth chicness of anything matte black, particularly in the kitchen. With so much that's already bright and shiny in that room — stainless steel appliances! Shimmering tile! Glossy ceramic plates! — I find matte textures a welcome diversion. They're understated yet still glamorous. Here are a few matte black kitchen and dining things I've had my eye on lately, from a simple faceted vase to a mind-blowing Bertazzoni range. (Guess which one I will not be purchasing anytime soon.)

What's the proper way to hold a knife? How should you open an avocado or chop a clove of garlic? More importantly, what are the ways you should never hold or use a knife? The folks behind First We Feast asked Henry Molina, a cook at Mission Chinese Food in New York, for a few quick knife tutorials, which they've illustrated in GIFs! Ah, the wonder of the GIF comes through again. 

A good knife is any cook's most important tool. We've shared our favorites, but it's always cool to see what the pros use. Six rockstar chefs recently shared their top knife picks with Details magazine, and interestingly enough, they all had one thing in common:

Q: I'm going to college soon and looking to buy my own knives. Should I buy a knife block with knives or buy the knives separately from the block? I'm looking to spend around $100 total. The three knives I use the most are a paring knife, a chef's knife, and a bread knife.

Sent by Heejung

All week long we've been sharing our discoveries from this year's Home + Housewares show. We showed you this awesome new Greek Yogurt maker and Bodum's game-changing stand mixers. We revealed KitchenAid's new colors and Dansk's adorable teacups. But now it's time to round up a few of our absolute favorites, the prettiest and most eye-catching items in the bunch:

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Q: I recently received a gift card to Bed Bath & Beyond. I'd like to buy a good-quality knife set and block with it, but I'm having trouble determining what brand and style would be the highest quality at a good value. I'm hoping to find one for $100 or less, but definitely no more than $150. Help!

Sent by Annie

Last week we asked you, our readers, to share the one kitchen item you'd recommend splurging on. The response was overwhelming, but right on in our view. If you've ever wondered what's worth the money in the kitchen, read on for some valuable insight: More

Let me begin this post by admitting that I'm far from an expert on knives. Until quite recently, we had few that were worth even picking up, but I invested in two winners and Santa left one under the tree so things are starting to look up around here. Knives can be a tricky thing to buy because department store sets often include repeats of what you already own, or knives that may not be useful for your cooking style. And then there are the choices, the brands, the pricing. There's so much to know. More

Fall is open season on cook's fingers. Why? All those root vegetables and tough winter squash, of course! Have you ever been in fear for your digits while dismantling a pumpkin or a butternut squash? Have you ever come close to losing a thumb while peeling a rutabaga? I still have a scar from a run-in with a tough little potato, of all things. Here are some safety tips on keeping your fingers safe and unharmed during the root vegetable season! More