How to Best Cut Potatoes for Mashed Potatoes

Start with a peeled russet potato of about five inches.

With a utility knife or small chef's knife, cut off the side pieces and set them aside.

Cut the remaining piece like a pizza into wedges, this way and this way; repeat on the other side, taking the top pieces off. The pie shape gives a range of donenesses and of starch gelatinization for mashing.