Chef Layla Haddad

Reviewer & contributor

Chef Layla Haddad

I’m Chef Layla Haddad, a recipe developer and kitchen specialist focused on practical, everyday cooking. I believe great meals start with the right tools, and I enjoy breaking down complex kitchen gear into simple, useful recommendations. At KitchenToolsAdvisor, I test, review, and guide you through essential kitchen tools so you can cook smarter, faster, and with better results at home.

115 reviews published

How To Use A Mandoline Safely
Food Prep HacksJuly 28, 202610 min read

How To Use A Mandoline Safely

At a Glance Using a mandoline safely requires always using the hand guard, working on a stable surface, and keeping fingers away from the blade at all…

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How To Mince Garlic Faster Than A Chef
Food Prep HacksJuly 28, 202610 min read

How To Mince Garlic Faster Than A Chef

At a Glance Mastering the rocking knife technique and using tools like a garlic press or mezzaluna allows home cooks to mince garlic significantly fas…

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How To Wash Vegetables Properly
Food Prep HacksJuly 28, 202610 min read

How To Wash Vegetables Properly

At a Glance To wash vegetables properly, rinse most produce under cool running water while gently rubbing the surface to remove dirt and residues. Roo…

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How To Devein Shrimp Quickly
Food Prep HacksJuly 28, 202611 min read

How To Devein Shrimp Quickly

At a Glance The fastest way to devein shrimp involves using a sharp knife to slit the back and rinse out the vein, or a toothpick to hook and pull it…

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How To Cube Chicken Quickly And Safely
Food Prep HacksJuly 27, 20268 min read

How To Cube Chicken Quickly And Safely

At a Glance Cubing chicken quickly and safely is achieved by first partially freezing the meat for about 20 minutes, which firms it up and allows for…

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How To Cut An Onion (Every Style)
Food Prep HacksJuly 27, 202610 min read

How To Cut An Onion (Every Style)

At a Glance The proper technique for cutting an onion in every style is rooted in keeping the root end intact to stabilize the layers while dicing, sl…

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Knife Skills 101: Dice, Mince, Julienne, Chiffonade
Food Prep HacksJuly 27, 202611 min read

Knife Skills 101: Dice, Mince, Julienne, Chiffonade

At a Glance The four fundamental knife cuts—dice, mince, julienne, and chiffonade—form the foundation of efficient and consistent food preparation, en…

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Marinade Basics: How Long, What Ratios
Food Prep HacksJuly 25, 202611 min read

Marinade Basics: How Long, What Ratios

At a Glance Marinade basics require knowing that marinating time varies by food type, with chicken needing 2 to 4 hours and fish just 15 to 30 minutes…

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How To Truss A Chicken
Food Prep HacksJuly 25, 202611 min read

How To Truss A Chicken

At a Glance Trussing a chicken involves tying the legs together and securing the wings against the body to create a compact shape for even cooking. Th…

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How To Properly Peel Ginger, Squash, Carrots
Food Prep HacksJuly 23, 202610 min read

How To Properly Peel Ginger, Squash, Carrots

At a Glance Properly peeling ginger, squash, and carrots requires different techniques: use a spoon or vegetable peeler for ginger to remove only the…

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How To Prep Veggies For The Week (Storage Times)
Food Prep HacksJuly 22, 202611 min read

How To Prep Veggies For The Week (Storage Times)

At a Glance To prep vegetables for the week, wash and dry them thoroughly, then chop and store each type according to its specific storage time guidel…

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Batch Prep: One Hour For A Week Of Meals
Food Prep HacksJuly 22, 202611 min read

Batch Prep: One Hour For A Week Of Meals

At a Glance One hour of batch prep produces a full week of meals, drastically reducing daily cooking requirements and weeknight stress. This method su…

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