Basic Food Hygiene

A hygienic cook is a healthy cook - so please bear the following in mind when you're preparing food.

• Always wash your hands before preparing food.
• Always wash and dry fresh produce before use.
• Don't lick your fingers.
• Don't keep tasting and stirring with the same spoon. Use a clean spoon every time you taste the food when you're making fresh salsas, etc., to go with your grills.
• Don't put raw and cooked meat on the same shelf in the fridge. Store raw meat on the bottom shelf, so it can't drip over other foods. Keep all perishable foods wrapped separately. Don't overfill the fridge or it will remain too warm.
• Never use a cloth to wipe down a chopping board that you have been using for cutting up meat, for instance, then use the same cloth to wipe down your work surfaces or the health grill - you will simply spread germs. Always wash your cloth well in hot, soapy water and, ideally, use an anti-bacterial kitchen cleaner on all surfaces too.
• Always transfer leftovers to a clean container and cover with a lid, clingfilm (plastic wrap) or foil. Cool as quickly as possible, then store in the fridge. Never put any warm food in the fridge.