I wonder why it took me so long to get a truffle slicer. After all, it is the quintessential piece of high-end kitchen equipment. It is hoity. It is toity. Nothing else screams “food snob” more than a miniature food slicer that is so elite it has to have “truffle” in its name.

Although in reality it’s only a slicer, okay a very thin slicer, I will continue to call it a truffle slicer because, well because propriety must be maintained!

There are two types of truffle slicer. the first is a flat piece of metal with a raised serrated planing blade and a screw that adjusts the height of the blade. The second is a flat piece of metal with a plastic hopper that glides back and forth on rails.

Anyone who has taken a class with me, or listened to me wax philosophic about working in the kitchen, has heard me say that the only kitchen gadget you really need is a good chef’s knife properly sharpened. And while that’s still true, I am now the proud owner of my very own truffle slicer.

Now if I only had some truffles…