Similar prob to "To tell or not to tell..."

There is only one course of action... the right one! Put yourself in the position of the customer; what if you were the parent of a young child that is about to eat the food that this cook has prepared? Would you feel comfortable feeding this to your child? While it may be tough for you to confront this guy, it is what needs to be done. This isn't a question of right versus wrong, nor is it a "personal" issue. It is an issue of safety. And, put your 'comfort level' aside. Do what needs to be done!

"True character is revealed when you come face to face with adversity."

I agree with Jim. Its can be uncomfortable, but that guy needs to be barked at. Washing your hands should be second nature in a kitchen. I mean, come on, we are touching peoples food. As far as dropping food on the floor and using it, thats just plain unacceptable. Nice guy or not, the guy is wrong.

re: similar prob

I agree with Jim as far as the question of sanitation. I have worked at many restaurants, and my wife and I operated a hot dog stand, and someday hope to open one in a permanent location.

However, Jim did something that hit all my hot buttons at once. His touching little display of concern over some fictitious child. Come on, Jim. Have the decency to make an argument without falling back on the poor child in whatever danger you perceive. I get so sick of eveyone with an axe to grind pulling out that tired old 'protect the children.' Stand on your own feet and state that the man is endangering the health of real people, not imaginary children.

Every time some political hack decides to attack something in the U.S., we hear about how this has to be done, (ready? 1-2-3) to save the children I guarantee you, every time you hear a politician say save (or portect)the children, you are going to lose something, either large or small.

I love children as much as the next guy, but I can't stand the kids being made the scapegoats for those people who want nothing more than to rule the lives of everyone in the country.

First, children are "real people". Second, along with the elderly, children are more susceptible to food-borne illnesses. So, as professional chefs, we have a responsibility here. The only thing that will get lost if we don't hold ourselves to a high standard is someone's life. Hopefully that will clarify matters for you.

Easy there, tiger! I'm just making a point... no need to rip out my spleen. Children, among others, are considered "populations at risk" for food borne illness, along with the elderly, recently ill, those on certain medications, etc. They are not scapegoats. Quite the opposite, really.

Okay? Now take a deep, cleansing breath. All better?

I don't know what your peeve is with kids but the guy in the above story is obviously going to make someone sick and it will likely be an elderly person or a CHILD.

Anyway Jim was only making the "what if it was your child?" argument because it illustrates the point very saliently. If you say "what if you had to eat this?" most people, believing themselves to be immortal don't give a rat's hind quarters about risk.

I think we can disagree with each other without getting all "hot button pressed must retaliate" on each other.

To answer the question I would go to the owner and offer to sit in on the meeting to give your testimony as it were.

Uh...getting back to the sanitation issue....

A diplomatic way is to trot off to the local health Dept, get a copy of thier rules and guidelines, as well as some of those "wash yer hands!" stickers that go over the handsink. Get everyone to read the local guidlines and then sign it--everyone: Owners waitresses, cooks, d/washers. Make sure that there's a handsink available and hot water, soap and paper towels.

Now there's no excuse for anything, including "nobody told me"...

What ever happened to accountability?

Just take some pride in what you do and say something OUT LOUD!! I guess there's nothing wrong with hitting up your superior but what's wrong with just saying it? Is he the incredible hulk? If you anger him slightly will he smash you? If not just speak up, I think that's what having pride in your job is all about. Maybe he's unaware of those risks or retarded! who knows.

I did, however get a laugh about the back and forth about children :lol: extremely entertaining.

re: similar prob

Just as Jim was only trying to make a point, I was trying to make a point also, and my statement was just as cogent as his was.

I have great respect for Jim, from reading his other posts, I love children as much as anyone else, and I am death on those who put the population at risk with unsanitary conditions. My point was that anyone who wants to control you or take away something you enjoy is going to use the catch-phrase save, or protect, the children.

When I was at a Furr's cafeteria in California that was continuing to serve during a power failure, and the food temps were meeting in the middle of the range, hot becoming cool and cold becoming warm, I did not tell the manager or the Health Department that some kid might get sick, but that the people who were there, with trays of food with temps all out of range were in danger because of rapid bacteria growth.

I apologize if anyone took my comments as a personal attack on Jim, but it is a pet peeve of minebecause of other, unscrupulous people hiding behind children to make the life of adults blander. Here in Arizona, our populace just pass a statewide smoking ban, and the big battle was over smoking in bars. believe it or not, the main thrust of the campaign was that somehow, banning smoking in bars would protect the children of Arizona. Who wants to have people think you don't care about children? So, of course anyone who spoke against the banning of smoking in bars was accused of not caring about the children. Can you see my point now? CHILDREN ARE NOT ALLOWED IN BARS IN ARIZONA! But the bill passed and became law because of our great concern for children. Apparently, we love kids here, but aren't that bright.

Sorry , Jim. Best wishes to you.

Thanks. No worries!

Have courage April. :) The world is too full of people who don't speak up when they see something awry. It happened the other day to me. I was at an outlet store and I swear I saw a lady put a bunch of stuff into her coat. I didn't say a thing. I could have been wrong still, but my courage failed me. I had my chance and I blew it. You, however, have all the chances in this world. Speak up!

Sanitation isn't something you really want to mess around with, especially now in days and especially since you said your shop is in the middle of butt fkin no where so who knows how long it would take for an ambulance to get to your location should something serious happen.