Food Styling for Photographers

CHAPTER ONE

● Tweezers. A pair of long-handled, bent-tip style twee-

zers is a versatile and often used tool in my kit. I have

more than one pair. My favorite tweezers are from

Electron Microscopy Sciences (www.emsdiasum

.com), Style 24, Part No. 72880-DB with a 90% bent

end, and Style 24, Part No. 72880-DS, which has a

straight end.

● Spatulas. I use 9-inch Wilton Comfort Grip

tapered spatulas and 9-inch Wilton Comfort

Grip angled spatulas, both of which have off set

bends. I have at least two of each in my kit at all

times. Wilton makes spatulas of diff erent shapes

and sizes, parchment paper, concentrated gel food

coloring, piping gel, cake pans, cake levelers, etc.

(www.wilton.com).

● Knives. I keep numerous knives in my kit. You will

probably want to have a 3-inch paring knife, a 6-inch

chef ’s knife, two 10-inch chef ’s knives, especially if

you work with cheesecake, an 8-inch serrated knife,

and a tomato knife. I use both Messermeister knives

(www.messermeister.com) and Henckels knives (www

.henckel.com).

● Knife sharpener or steel. Th ere are only two important

things to consider about the type of sharpener you

use. Th e most important one is that you must be

safe and comfortable using it. Th e other is that the

sharpener must provide a really sharp edge on

your knives.

● Small, sharp scissors. I use fi sherman’s fl y-tying

scissors.

● Kitchen scissors. I use both Messermeister and

Henckels.

● Brushes. You will need an assortment of artist’s brushes

and pastry brushes.

● Hand tools. Th ese include peelers, a zester, rubber

spatulas, etc. I like the OXO Good Grips brand

(www.oxo.com).

● Long wood skewers and toothpicks. Th e skewers are

usually sold in bulk packages advertised for shish

kebabs. I’ve seen two thicknesses of skewers on the

market and both have specifi c advantages, so I keep

both in my kit.

● Bulb-type dropper. My personal favorite type of

dropper can be found at pharmacies. Th ey are used

to dispense liquid medicine to children and come

in several diff erent styles and sizes. I also like a

bent-tip plastic syringe like that used by dentists.

You might ask your dentist about them at your next

appointment.