A stick made up of thin metal or wood that is used to hold small pieces of food is a skewer. They are mostly used for grilling and roasting meat. Metal skewers are made from stainless steel. One end of the skewer is pointed and the other has a grip in order to remove the food from the stick easily. Wooden skewers should ideally be made from bamboo but other woods are sometimes used. In order to prevent burning, the wooden skewer should be soaked while grilling. Kebabs are the most common skewer dishes. Skewers are put to another use as well. Small skewers of glass or wood are used as decorative for alcoholic beverages.