The Genius Kitchen Trick We Learned From Chef Anne Burrell

The Genius Kitchen Trick We Learned From Chef Anne Burrell originally appeared on Parade .

Anne Burrell was nothing short of a culinary icon. The host of Worst Cooks in America and a much beloved Food Network personality , Burrell's signature bright blonde locks , infectious energy and endless kitchen tips and tricks , are enshrined in the food hall of fame. Many chefs-turned-television-personalities use their spotlight to showcase their most complex, high-level cooking, which is impressive and inspiring but usually not very approachable for beginners.

But Burrell took a different approach. Throughout her television career, she shared cooking and kitchen advice that fans and home cooks of all levels could put to use. Worst Cooks in America , the show where she mentored aspiring chefs with enthusiasm and a genuine, down-to-earth vibe, is the perfect example of Burrell's desire to welcome all cooks into the kitchen.

Related: Andrew Zimmern Shares Beautiful Tribute to 'Gifted Soul' Anne Burrell

Burrell 's accessible approach and commitment to teaching the fundamentals will be dearly missed in the culinary space. Of all her many, many valuable tips and tricks, her red Sharpie technique will always stand out to me. Thanks to Burrell and that marker, countless home cooks learned one of the most important hallmarks of kitchen safety: how to hold a knife correctly.

Related: The Chef-Approved Way To Make Tuna Salad Sandwiches 10x Better

What Is Anne Burrell's Red Sharpie Technique?

In one of just many displays of her commitment to keeping home cooks smart and safe in the kitchen, Anne Burrell came up with a genius method for teaching people how to hold a chef's knife correctly. On Worst Cooks , she was notorious for keeping a red Sharpie on hand. Whenever she witnessed someone holding a knife incorrectly, Burrell would whip out the permanent marker.

Last year, in a video posted on Food Network's TikTok , Burrell demonstrated this kitchen safety fundamental. At the beginning of the video, Burrell asks, "Shall we give a little chit chat about a red Sharpie and why I love them, and why I use them so much, and what the significance of a red finger is on Worst Cooks ? Then comes a clip of the star chef marking a contestant's finger with red Sharpie for not holding his knife the proper way.

When the clip ends, we switch back to Burrell, who goes on to explain what is known as the pinch grip. "You pinch [the blade] between your thumb and forefinger, and you drop your other three fingers down," explained Burrell. The idea here is that you pinch the knife blade between your thumb and index finger right above the handle and then wrap the other three fingers around the handle. This is the steadiest, most secure way to hold a chef's knife.

Many cooks, especially inexperienced ones, stretch their index finger out along the top of the blade of the chef's knife. That's the finger that Burrell would color with the Sharpie as a reminder to pinch the blade instead.

Related: The Only Four Knives You Need in Your Kitchen, According to Chef Andrew Zimmern

😋😋  SIGN UP to get delicious recipes, handy kitchen hacks & more in our daily Pop Kitchen newsletter 🍳🍔

So I've Been Holding My Knife Incorrectly All My Life?

It often feels instinctual for beginner cooks to either wrap all five fingers around the handle of the knife or to rest a finger on top of the knife blade. However, Burrell debunks these methods of knife-holding. Not only are they dangerous, making you more prone to kitchen injuries, but they also result in uneven, inaccurate cutting. 

Since the news of her death , fans have taken to the internet to share memories of watching Burrell on TV and all of the culinary skills they learned from her. The red Sharpie technique is one that I've seen countless fans mention over the past several weeks. It's undeniable that Burrell's big smile—and even bigger heart—will be missed by so many of us.

Related: How to Make the Best-Ever Lemonade, According to Ina Garten

The Genius Kitchen Trick We Learned From Chef Anne Burrell first appeared on Parade on Aug 4, 2025

This story was originally reported by Parade on Aug 4, 2025, where it first appeared.