What an odd idea, making a kitchen ‘presentable’? If you have spent any time working in a professional kitchen, you may have come away thinking they are places of chaos and mess, but there’s another side to professional cooking that many don’t see: the need to stay tidy.
Why Tidiness Matters In Kitchen
Whether it’s a professional kitchen or your own home, having respect for the place you work is important.
When you are busy with many different tasks, it can be easy to forget that some are more important than others. Handling food in a way that is both safe and sanitary is of the utmost importance.
If you have ever seen someone wash their hands at the same time as the utensil they were just using to handle raw meat, you will understand why kitchen cleanliness is so important.
As chefs cook thousands of meals, their kitchens can get dirty quickly if they are not careful to keep things clean. It doesn’t have to be obvious dirt either.
Your Look Is Your Reputation
We all want to look good when we leave the house, so why would chefs be any different? While they may not be ‘leaving the house’, you still want people to think well of you.
A kitchen that is dirty and unorganized sends a message that this is how their food will be. It also indicates a lack of respect for food and those who eat them.
In addition to respect from your patrons, many chefs feel a need to impress other chefs as well. Showing pride in their work will make them look better as it shows respect for their craft.
Keeping a clean kitchen can even make it easier to work, which again shows that pride in their kitchen isn’t just about appearances.
From the sparkling countertops to a well-pressed catering business uniform, looking good in the kitchen is a matter of pride for both chefs and business owners alike.
Tidy Kitchen, Tidy Business
Part of what makes a kitchen professional is maintaining a clean and organized work area. This is not only important for the chefs in the kitchen, but it can have a positive effect on other people in the building too.
While it may seem selfish to care about your own cleanliness if you are working alone in a professional kitchen, just think about how much dirty dishes pile up in the washing.
It can make others feel bad and make them want to avoid coming into contact with the chef at all costs. While this isn’t enough of an excuse to get messy yourself, your appearance should be taken into consideration whenever possible.
Even if you are working on your own, the look of your kitchen is still important. If it is messy and dirty, you may feel like you haven’t done enough during the day. This can lead to you rushing through tasks or even forgetting things and that could cost food or money.
Keep in mind that having pride in your work is the first step to a successful business.
