Professional chefs often prefer using knives for cutting onions, even in high-volume kitchens, for several reasons:
Control and Precision: Knives offer greater control and precision when cutting onions. Chefs can adjust the size, shape, and texture of the onion pieces according to their specific recipe requirements. This level of precision is challenging to achieve with a food processor, which may result in uneven or inconsistent cuts.
Texture and Appearance: Different dishes call for various onion textures, such as diced, sliced, minced, or finely chopped. By using a knife, chefs can control the texture and appearance of the onions, ensuring they are uniform and consistent throughout the dish. This can impact the overall presentation and mouthfeel of the final dish.
Time Efficiency: While food processors can be efficient for certain tasks, such as quickly chopping large quantities of ingredients, the setup, assembly, and cleanup of a food processor can take time. For smaller quantities or precise cuts, using a knife can be faster and more efficient, especially for experienced chefs who have honed their knife skills.
Flavor Preservation: Onions contain sulfur compounds that, when cut, release volatile compounds that contribute to their distinctive aroma and flavor. Using a knife allows chefs to control the extent of the onion's exposure to air, minimizing the loss of these volatile compounds. This helps preserve the onion's flavor and aroma, enhancing the overall taste of the dish.
Versatility: Professional chefs often perform a wide range of cutting tasks throughout their cooking process, requiring different sizes and shapes of onion cuts. Knives provide versatility in achieving various cuts, including julienne, brunoise, or chiffonade, which may not be easily accomplished with a food processor.
While food processors have their merits and are certainly useful for certain tasks in high-volume kitchens, the preference for knives among professional chefs when it comes to cutting onions stems from the advantages they offer in terms of control, precision, texture, flavor, time efficiency, and versatility.