The Latin word “hasta” referred to lance, spear or javelin. A smaller version, known in French as “hastelet”, and later “hâtelet” or “attelet” was first used to skewer a large piece of meat to a large spit, and subsequently to skewer smaller pieces and grill them separately.
Antonin Carême was the first to decorate metal skewers with crests or heraldic symbols that evoked game hunting and fishing. Decorative skewers are now used to spear various delicacies (cock’s head, crayfish, truffles, etc.) and embellish numerous dishes and meals.