Hygiene and Safety

These are not just the domain of the professional kitchen. It is equally as important to make sure that you at home don’t contaminate food and don’t use food that could be contaminated. Firstly, it is essential to keep your kitchen, appliances and equipment clean. I have a saying with my guys in the kitchen at Rockpool – you have to learn to clean before you can learn to cook. It is really about taking pride in yourself and your surroundings. I can hear you say, ‘wait a minute, I’m not a professional chef’, but you will be more organized and will cook better if you do take pride. As far as safety goes, it is very important to learn to hold a knife properly and realize what is hot in your kitchen and what is not. A burn and a cut are just around the corner if you are rushed or a bit careless.