How to cross-utilize utensils

An empanada ‘fork’ seems like a tool that would languish in a back drawer—except when the flaky, Latin American-style turnovers are on the menu. However, it’s quite the kitchen MVP, according to Executive Chef Todd Daigneault. At Overlook Medical Center in Summit, N.J., he uses an empanada fork to mash vegetables, froth eggs and crimp pastries. “It’s pretty versatile,” Daigneault says. “It was originally designed for empanadas, but it saves me time in many other ways, as well.” 

Todd DaigneaultExecutive Chef Overlook Medical CenterSummit, NJ