I grew up in a kitchen where I started off as the prep cook also known as the guy who cuts everything.  You name it, I’ve prepped it–onions, garlic, carrots, celery, tomatoes, etc…

During the first years I had many questions.  Thanks mom and dad for being patience with my lack of kitchen skills.  The question I had as prep cook was, “How big do you want this chopped?”  My mom would start me off and show me an example and tell me to copy it.  My dad would stick up his pinky and say to make it the size of the tip of his pinky.

I plan on making it a little more simpler for my kids by showing them a ruler and explain to them the different sizes and styles.  Here’s the breakdown:

• Chop – cut into pieces that range from 1/4 to 3/4 of an inch.
• Dice – cut into pieces between 1/8 and 1/4 of an inch.
• Mince – cut into pieces less than 1/16 of an inch.

Here’s a picture: