(Food-Beverage-News.Com, November 28, 2014 ) Oakland, CA -- It's easy to get lost in the moment when busily preparing a hearty Thanksgiving feast. All eyes are focused on getting meals done before the guests arrive. With all the panic and stress that such big occasion brings, contemporary kitchenware manufacturer Finesseur warns cooks about overlooking health and safety issues when working in the kitchen for Thanksgiving and other holiday food preparations.
Based on data from the US Fire Administration, most fires occur during Thanksgiving, with unattended cooking cited as the leading cause. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, meanwhile, reports that food poisoning and food-borne disease outbreaks most often occur during the Holiday months of November and December, with meat and poultry accounting for 92% of the outbreak source.
"While Thanksgiving and other Holiday celebrations are reasons to indulge, we should always make sure that the dishes we serve and eat are safe, and we are following strict precautions as we prepare them," says Allison Montgomery, spokesperson for Finesseur.
As people will be deeply engrossed in their cooking routine this Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday season, Finesseur aims to help them avoid health and safety issues that may arise from their preparations by sharing a few kitchen and food safety tips. "With these pointers, we want to help cooks incorporate health and safety measures when cooking. By being more aware about how they prepare and cook their food, they will also get to improve their skills and enhance the quality of their food," explains Montgomery.
Cooking tips to avoid fire
1. Install smoke alarms in the kitchen and in other parts of the house. Have a fire extinguisher ready in case of fire.
2. Ensure that kitchen appliances are in good working condition. Make sure to unplug appliances when not in use.
3. Avoid leaving food packaging and other combustibles near stoves and ovens.
4. Avoid wearing loose clothes and dangling accessories while cooking as these can catch fire or get caught in pot handles and pans.
5. Do not leave food unattended while cooking, and have a metal lid handy to easily smother grease fires. Do not use water to extinguish the flames.
6. When deep-frying a turkey, do it outdoors. Keep the fryer under close watch to ensure the oil will not spill over or catch fire.
Useful pointers to ensure food safety
1. Never buy fresh, pre-stuffed turkeys. If really needed, buy one not earlier than two days before cooking, and keep it in the fridge until it is ready to be cooked. Make sure to defrost and thaw properly.
2. Wash hands thoroughly, as well as sinks and countertops. Clean cutting boards, dishes, tools, and utensils before and after preparing food items.
3. Rinse fruits and vegetables thoroughly. Never rinse raw meat and poultry before cooking to avoid the spread of bacteria in areas where food is prepared.
4. In cutting raw vegetables, use a high-quality knife with a good handle for easier cutting. "A sharp, nimble knife allows easier control while dicing and chopping food items. The Finesseur Ceramic 8-inch Chef's Knife is a good knife to use as it has an ergonomic non-slip ABS handle that provides complete control," explains Montgomery. A good quality knife to invest in is one that also possesses hygienic properties. Adds Montgomery, "As a ceramic-made blade is non-porous and chemically stable, there's less exposure to germs and bacteria, rust, stains, corrosion, residual aftertaste or lingering smells."
5. Ensure that cut vegetables as well as other perishable items are refrigerated when not to be cooked yet. Keep them away from raw meat and eggs, seafood and poultry, and from kitchen tools that will be used for these specific items.
6. Use separate cutting boards for cutting different food items. Separate dry and wet ingredients.
7. Cook foods under required temperatures. Turkeys should be roasted at 165°F. Sauces and soups should be brought to a boil when reheating.
"We want our Thanksgiving to be remembered for the good time and good food we shared with closest friends and family, and not for the kitchen or food-related disaster that it may bring, if we're not cautious about our cooking. Our simple tips aim to help cooks ensure a safe and healthy Thanksgiving," concludes Montgomery.
About Finesseur
Finesseur brings fashion design, precise engineering, and top quality craftsmanship together in American kitchens. Finesseur believes kitchen tools should be not only functional, but also inspirational.
