BEFORE YOU START

Health and safety in the kitchen

Follow these simple steps to keep you safe and hygienic in the kitchen.

• Wear a clean apron, tie back long hair and roll up your sleeves.
• Wash your hands with warm soapy water, especially after using the toilet.
• Cover any cuts or sores with a blue plaster.
• Do not handle food if you have a bad cold or are sick.
• Keep pets away from the kitchen area.
• Do not lick your fingers or equipment during cooking.
• When you're preparing food and cooking, always take care and take your time. Never run in the kitchen area.
• Wash all raw food such as fruit and vegetables before using them.
• Always check Best Before/Use By dates on any ingredients.
• Use a clean spoon when tasting food, and always wash it after every time.
• Make sure that saucepan and frying pan handles do not stick out over the edge of the hob.
• Cut or chop food on a chopping board.
• Keep a clean kitchen at all times – wipe down surfaces and chopping boards regularly, and use clean dish cloths and tea towels.
• Clean away spills on the work surface or floor immediately.
• Wear oven gloves when putting items into, or taking them out of, the oven.
• Wrap food waste in newspaper and place in a bin.
• Take care when using sharp knives.

Following a recipe

A recipe is made up of the following:

• a list of all the ingredients you need (metric and imperial measurements)
• a list of all the equipment you need
• the method (a logical step-by-step set of instructions for making the dish).

Ingredients

• Measure according to the recipe instructions, using either metric or imperial – not a combination of both. Use a set of scales, measuring jug or measuring spoons, as appropriate.
• Measure out all the ingredients you'll need before starting to make the recipe.

Equipment

• Gather together all the equipment you'll need before starting to make the recipe.
• If you need the oven, make sure that the shelves are set to the correct height and it is preheated to the right temperature.
• You may need to prepare cake tins or other equipment in advance – check the recipe.