topic Re: Food Channel Pet Peeve in Community Chat

Food Channel Pet Peeve

Apple Head — Sat, 21 Feb 2015 20:56:32 GMT

I watch some of the shows on the Food Channel. That show Diners, Drive-ins & Dives shows restaurants around the country and how they make their signature dishes. Some of the dishes look so good you wish you could go there and try the food.

That being said, why when they are showing how the owner/chef makes the meals they all use their hands, no plastic gloves to mix food, touch food and prepare food? It grosses me out watching them use their hands on the food the customers are going to eat. It's even worse watching Guy Fieri, the host, touching all the food with his bare hands! I know this probably happens in restaurant kitchens all the time, but seeing it on TV like that, it just makes me a bit skeptical about eating at restaurants.

You would think at least for the TV cameras, they would have better etiquette.

Re: Food Channel Pet Peeve

HollyDays — Sat, 21 Feb 2015 20:58:10 GMT

You should see what goes on in the very restaurants you eat at.

Have you ever wondered what's going on back there in the kitchen?

Re: Food Channel Pet Peeve

kdgn — Sat, 21 Feb 2015 21:02:31 GMT

On the contrary, I've seen many on Triple D wearing gloves while preparing various dishes.

Re: Food Channel Pet Peeve

sidsmom — Sat, 21 Feb 2015 21:18:26 GMT

For many years I watched 'Top Chef'...even when they were creating in an actual restaurant...and I don't recall ANYONE wearing gloves any time. Barbeque pit guys wear thick, heavy gloves for the heat aspect...but the tight safety gloves? Nope.

Re: Food Channel Pet Peeve

Blahblahvampemer — Sat, 21 Feb 2015 21:24:23 GMT

If their hands are washed, or it's going to be cooked, I really couldn't care less. Other times you really need to get your hands in there, and gloves get in the way. From a statistical viewpoint, you're more likely to have a problem eating a meal at a friend's house than a restaurant. Or your own.

Re: Food Channel Pet Peeve

Lion — Sat, 21 Feb 2015 21:24:45 GMT

What really grosses me out is when cooks leave their rings on when mixing food bare handed.

Rings contain lots of nooks and crevices where bacteria can hide, along with other "gunk".

Washing your hands does not clean or sanitize rings.

Gross.

Re: Food Channel Pet Peeve

KYToby — Sat, 21 Feb 2015 21:42:20 GMT

I cannot help but wonder if the OP wears gloves when preparing food. Did the OP grow up in a household where the primary cook wore gloves? Seriously, I do not understand the whole glove issue.

Wearing gloves is, in no way, any more sanitary than using frequently-washed hands. In fact, the wearing of gloves may lead to less-frequent handwashing, resulting in less sanitary food handling.

Re: Food Channel Pet Peeve

redtabby — Sat, 21 Feb 2015 21:44:04 GMT

In my county the health department does not recommend gloves because if the hand is dirty when the glove is put on germs/bacteria are transferred to the glove and therefore will not provide protection. They require frequent hand washing. You may disagree with that policy, but it is a policy of some health departments.

Guy is a restaurant owner, I am sure he has washed up before he touches anything in these kitchens he visits.

If you are bothered by someone handling your food with bare hands I suggest that you only eat at home.

Re: Food Channel Pet Peeve

CelticCrafter — Sat, 21 Feb 2015 21:52:21 GMT

What I can't stand seeing is letting them cook or bake without having to tie their hair back.

Cupcake Wars

Chopped

Sandra Lee

Triple G

Re: Food Channel Pet Peeve

sidsmom — Sat, 21 Feb 2015 21:58:24 GMT

Wonder if any of those judges have ever gotten sick from uncooked food from those contests? Gross.

Re: Food Channel Pet Peeve

Krimpette — Sat, 21 Feb 2015 22:32:07 GMT

I've often seen gloves worn on DD&D. I rarely use gloves with what little cooking I do. I mostly only use them when I'm seeding a pomegranate.

Re: Food Channel Pet Peeve

Moonchilde — Sat, 21 Feb 2015 22:39:04 GMT

I work in a (large, major) hospital, which as a full cafeteria to include a grill, to-go refrigerated food, and hot, served-up food. I have been sick from eating this food more times than I can remember - many, MANY more times than I've ever gotten sick from a restaurant (twice). In fact, it's almost a given that I will have repercussions from eating anything from the cafeteria except the pre-packaged food. And I have never heard, in 17 years, anything about the health department being there, or anyone reporting them. I'll be delighted to take my chances in an A or B graded restaurant (all restaurants must post a letter grade health department rating. Most have it in the front window).

Re: Food Channel Pet Peeve

mdgrammy — Sat, 21 Mar 2015 21:49:33 GMT

Sadly gloves do not guarantee protection from germs. I've worked in a deli where I saw people blowing their noses with gloves on and even using the restroom with the gloves on then returning to the counter!

Re: Food Channel Pet Peeve

sidsmom — Sat, 21 Mar 2015 21:58:32 GMT

Funny. Eating all that garbage food those places make & we're worried about a few germs on the fork? All that sugar, salt & fat....a heart attack or stroke is a greater worry, not dirty hands.

Re: Food Channel Pet Peeve

JustJules — Sat, 21 Mar 2015 22:16:06 GMT

Do you wear plastic gloves when you are mixing or preparing food with your hands? I don't. I'm sure that those chefs are constantly washing their hands, it's just not a part of the show they film because time is money and that wouldn't be very interesting to waste several minutes of airtime watching someone wash up. If you eat out at restaurants I hope you don't think any of those cooks are wearing gloves either. As long as they are washing their hands long enough with a sanitized soap I'm not concerned. I'd be more worried about the condition of the kitchen, cleanliness of surfaces, pots & pans, utensils, glasses, etc. and the temperature they keep their food at.

Re: Food Channel Pet Peeve

CelticCrafter — Sat, 21 Mar 2015 22:29:09 GMT

On 3/21/2015 JustJules said:
Do you wear plastic gloves when you are mixing or preparing food with your hands? I don't. I'm sure that those chefs are constantly washing their hands, it's just not a part of the show they film because time is money and that wouldn't be very interesting to waste several minutes of airtime watching someone wash up. If you eat out at restaurants I hope you don't think any of those cooks are wearing gloves either. As long as they are washing their hands long enough with a sanitized soap I'm not concerned. I'd be more worried about the condition of the kitchen, cleanliness of surfaces, pots & pans, utensils, glasses, etc. and the temperature they keep their food at.

I can't speak for every restaurant or manager but I can guarantee you that the restaurant my daughter manages at is up to standards when it comes to food safety and sanitation.

She's a stickler about it. She took all the tongs out of the kitchen because they were double dipping between raw and cooked.

Re: Food Channel Pet Peeve

hckynut — Sat, 21 Mar 2015 22:43:30 GMT

On 2/21/2015 Apple Head said:
I watch some of the shows on the Food Channel. That show Diners, Drive-ins & Dives shows restaurants around the country and how they make their signature dishes. Some of the dishes look so good you wish you could go there and try the food.

That being said, why when they are showing how the owner/chef makes the meals they all use their hands, no plastic gloves to mix food, touch food and prepare food? It grosses me out watching them use their hands on the food the customers are going to eat. It's even worse watching Guy Fieri, the host, touching all the food with his bare hands! I know this probably happens in restaurant kitchens all the time, but seeing it on TV like that, it just makes me a bit skeptical about eating at restaurants.

You would think at least for the TV cameras, they would have better etiquette.

I'll bet the guy that drives that Red convertible would welcome your suggestion. Have you called or e-mailed them about this?

Re: Food Channel Pet Peeve

millieshops — Sat, 21 Mar 2015 22:44:23 GMT

On 2/21/2015 Lion said:
What really grosses me out is when cooks leave their rings on when mixing food bare handed.

Rings contain lots of nooks and crevices where bacteria can hide, along with other "gunk".

Washing your hands does not clean or sanitize rings.

Gross.

Aside from being gross - I remember that when I took a bread making course, the teacher recommended we always remove our rings, even diamonds, because kneading scratches stones. I can't prove she was right, but hands without rings certainly can be cleaner. I always remove mine when I cook.

Re: Food Channel Pet Peeve

ROMARY — Sun, 22 Mar 2015 01:13:20 GMT

Good for your daughter, CelticCrafter! I'd probably be the same type of conscientious manager!

Re: Food Channel Pet Peeve

AnikaBrodie — Sun, 22 Mar 2015 01:57:05 GMT

On 3/21/2015 JustJules said:
Do you wear plastic gloves when you are mixing or preparing food with your hands? I don't. I'm sure that those chefs are constantly washing their hands, it's just not a part of the show they film because time is money and that wouldn't be very interesting to waste several minutes of airtime watching someone wash up. If you eat out at restaurants I hope you don't think any of those cooks are wearing gloves either. As long as they are washing their hands long enough with a sanitized soap I'm not concerned. I'd be more worried about the condition of the kitchen, cleanliness of surfaces, pots & pans, utensils, glasses, etc. and the temperature they keep their food at.

I don't wear plastic gloves when I prepare food but do wash my hands before preparation. I have a strong aversion to plastic gloves.

My niece owns a popular family restaurant and is a stickler about the kitchen prep area including all the things you mentioned. She has regular, unannounced visits by the PA Dept. of Health and is typically cited for minor (picky) issues that are easy to correct (i.e., bread crumbs in a microwave). Her manager is always on board in the food prep area and this helps greatly. Sometimes entry level employees try to get away with stuff but she keeps this well under control. Her restaurant includes a bakery and niece bakes all the cakes, pies, cookies, breads, etc., so she needs a manager on whom she can depend.