Managing a restaurant kitchen is so much more than overseeing the staff and placing food orders. All of the equipment, systems, and services in a commercial kitchen require routine maintenance. Not only does this include daily cleaning your cooking appliances and work surfaces, it may also mean scheduling a professional deep clean of ventilation hoods […]
How to Clean and Care for Your Fridge
Germs have been around since the dawn of time — but only in the past few hundred years has humankind begun to be aware of them. In the 1800s, doctors wouldn’t wash their hands between performing autopsies and life-saving surgeries. They didn’t understand the microscopic world that is invisible to the naked eye. Today, we […]
5 Tips for Preparing Tex-Mex Food Safely
Tex-Mex food is everywhere — although if you’re like me, you may not recognize it by name. When I was growing up, I simply thought of Tex-Mex as “Americanized” Mexican food. What is “Tex Mex”? The name “Tex Mex,” or Tex-Mex, is a combination of two words: Texan and Mexican. As the name suggests, Tex-Mex […]
February Cartoon: Food Safety and Jewelry
Have you ever thought about how many pathogens and germs your jewelry might have? If you were to put your jewelry under a microscope, you’d probably be disgusted to see the number of bacteria and dead skin cells that jewelry can accumulate — especially rings and bracelets. The fact is, everyone carries disease-causing microorganisms on […]
How to Develop a HACCP Plan for Texas
What is HACCP? HACCP stands for Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points. A HACCP plan is developed by a food establishment manager and implemented by food workers to control for potential hazards in food. By using a HACCP plan, you can help your customers avoid dangerous food hazards and fully enjoy their meals. To learn […]
3 Unique Risk Factors for Foodborne Illness in California
Each year on average, approximately 3,000 Californians get sick from eating contaminated food. If you’ve ever had food poisoning, you know it isn’t a pleasant experience. Many foodborne illnesses cause stomach cramps, diarrhea, and nausea. The most common illnesses can last between one day and two weeks. Most people recover on their own within a […]
January Cartoon: How to Prevent Hair in Food While Cooking
Did you know that hair is a common hazard when it comes to food safety? Customers that find hair in their food are usually disgusted, and are less likely to return to your establishment. It’s also a health code violation if hair restraints are not worn or if improper hair restraints are used. It’s important […]
December Cartoon: How to Organize Your Fridge
How should I organize my refrigerator? Whether you’re stocking a restaurant fridge or your refrigerator at home, the organization method can have a big impact on how long your food lasts. In general, you should store foods by cooking temperature. Put foods that require less or no cooking over foods that require more cooking. Organizing […]
Stand-Up Training: Taking Food Temperatures
Empower Employees Through Food Safety Training Customers can become ill when bacteria multiply to dangerous levels in food. Two of the most important causes of bacterial growth are time and temperature. Use this training to teach your employees when and how to take and record the temperatures of food. Learning Objectives You may choose to […]
How to Practice Food Safety When You’re Barbecuing
Every region of the world is known for its specific brand of cuisine or cooking specialty and the United States is no exception, being known for its flavorful barbecue. Within the United States every region has its own distinct brand of barbecue, and nowhere is this more true than in Texas. While many states may […]