FOOD NEWS
Here's The Reason Cake Forks Have Those Mysterious Notches
By Erin Metz
A cake fork, or pastry fork, has three prongs, with a wider third prong and notch on the outermost one. Cake forks are supposed to do the work of both a fork and a knife.
In 1892, Anna M. Mangin originally invented the pastry fork to easily mix dough, make pie crusts, and even beat eggs without getting sticky ingredients all over her hands.
While the pastry fork is still a baking tool, over time, it was used to enjoy various pastries. The outer tine can easily cut into desserts without dirtying another utensil.
Cake forks will be placed on the inside of your place setting, closest to your dishes. Table rules say to use cutlery from the outside in, saving your pastry fork for last.
These fancy chipped forks are intended to be used for cakes, pastries, and other desserts that need to be carved into before taking a bite.
Some chipped tine forks can be used for deboning fish or slicing into tough meats, but it's recommended not to use the same fork for both your entree and after-dinner sweet treat.