kitchen Etiquettes- 10 Golden rules

KITCHEN ETIQUETTES

Kitchen hygiene during food preparation in the kitchen is essential to everyone’s health. It forms the basis for any food safety system whether it is at home, or a commercial kitchen, catering, or a food factory.

 

Everyone has their own way of doing things in the kitchen. Some are neat and tidy while others are more relaxed. But there are a few basic kitchen etiquette rules that everyone should follow to make sure the kitchen is a safe and efficient place for everyone.

 

Here are 10 Kitchen Etiquettes on how to keep your kitchen running smoothly.

THE 10 GOLDEN RULES

1.    Washing your hands

Keeping your hands clean and germ-free is a very important kitchen etiquette. Bacteria is easily transferred from raw foods to your hands to everywhere else in the kitchen, so wash your hands thoroughly while cooking and before and after as well. This also includes personal hygiene like keeping fingernails short and clean

2.    Clean as you go

One of the most important things to remember while cooking is to keep the kitchen clean. Washing your dishes as you go and putting them away, wiping down the counters and appliances, and taking out the trash bins regularly. This will make it easier for you to cook, and also make the kitchen more sanitary for everyone.

3.    Cook foods completely

One of the most important kitchen rules is to ensure food is cooked properly. If the food is undercooked, harmful bacteria could lead to food poisoning. High temperatures (+70°C) are the best way to kill harmful bacteria such as E. coli, Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes. Keeping foods above 60°C during serving is required.

4.       Don’t cross-contaminate

If you’ve ever had food poisoning, you’ll understand why avoiding cross-contamination is high on the list of basic kitchen rules. It is best to use different cutting boards for preparing fish, meat, veg, dairy, or bread, and never prepare     or keep ready-to-eat foods next or near to raw meats and vegetables. It will help to avoid the spread of potentially dangerous bacteria.

5.    Be organized

Another key to keep the kitchen running smoothly is being organized. It means having all the ingredients and tools within reach, neatly stacking pots and pans, and keeping food in its designated place. This will make cooking easier, and also helps to prevent accidents.

    6. Strictly follow personal hygiene etiquette

Wear clean clothes while cooking. Always clean your hands before cooking or handling the food. Do not taste food with the same utensil which is used for cooking. Take measures such as wearing hat to prevent hair from falling into cooking pans or plates. If you need to sneeze or cough, walk away from the cooking area and do not touch your face, nose, ears, or eyes while cooking. If you cannot resist the urge, wash your hands again afterward

7. Safe food storage

It is vital to store food properly and keep it safe from harmful bacteria, chemicals, and objects falling into food. You should make sure that leftovers or open food packets are covered with cling film or sealed in a plastic container. Keep your fridge tidy and dispose of any items that are out of date or expired.

8.    Stay focused and Be patient

It is important to stay focused while cooking. This means paying attention to what you are doing. It will help to prevent accidents and ensures that the food is cooked properly. Another important thing to remember while cooking is to be patient. Sometimes it takes time to make a perfect dish, so don’t get discouraged if it doesn’t turn out well the first time. Practice makes one perfect.

9. Scrub your basins

The wash and rinse basins are used regularly throughout the day, so they become grimy and covered in bacteria quickly if not kept clean. Clean the sink using a quick scrub with a scourer and a spritz of cleaner and sanitizer once a day. Regularly change your bin covers and unload the old ones as the old food in a bin will soon decompose and bacteria will start to form

10.  Enjoy it

Cooking can be a fun and relaxing experience, so remember to enjoy it fully. Take your time, savour the flavours, and use this as an opportunity to bond with friends and family.

 Cooking is a very enjoyable and rewarding experience. By following these simple kitchen etiquettes while cooking, you can make sure that the kitchen is a safe and enjoyable place for everyone.

Blog Article by Sheema Aqhtar

MSC Clinical Nutrition II Year.