According to Alexander Salahshoar, Food Safety is Essential During Summer Cooking

PHILADELPHIA, PA, June 19, 2013

Alexander Salahshoar, who is the owner and founder of Catering by Alexander, notes that the summertime is full of graduation parties, backyard barbeques, and other food-based outdoor festivities. However, these outside cooking experiences make it even more important to observe proper food preparation techniques in order to stay healthy while enjoying a meal. Alexander Salahshoar is issuing comment on a new article that discusses how individuals can remain healthy as they participate in summertime cooking.

Farmers markets are an enjoyable warm-weather activity that enables purchasers to get fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables. While this hands-on buying experience is a unique one, consumers should take care as they stock up on produce from local farmers. Prior to buying, an individual should ask about how the sellers keep the produce free from bacterial pathogens and other contaminants. They should find out if those working the stand have tips for storing the produce properly, testing for ripeness, and preparing the items to use in a meal. Prior to buying any item, food safety expert Don Schaffner also recommends carefully inspecting the fruit or vegetable to ensure that it is free of mold, blemishes, or bruises that can become prime spots for bacterial growth.

When prepping food for a cookout, a chef should take extra care as the weather warms up. Leaving items in the car for a few minutes after a trip to the grocery store is not overly problematic during the winter, but when temperatures rise and the car heats up quickly, bacteria can begin to develop on food. For this reason, a purchaser should get new food items inside the house and into refrigeration as soon as possible. A proper washing of all fruits and vegetables is necessary prior to consumption.

Alexander Salahshoar comments on this advice noting, "As a caterer, food safety is of the utmost importance for my business and my employees. For people looking to cook for themselves, properly preparing and storing food is essential. Bacteria and germs can collect quickly on a piece of meat or fruits, so care is necessary in order to keep all who will consume the food safe."

Individuals should never marinate meat on the kitchen counter or outdoors, instead opting to let the item marinate in the refrigerator. Do not use any excess marinade on the finished product, since it can become contaminated once it has come into contact with the raw meat.

When grilling meat away from home, such as at a park, it is often advisable to purchase pre-formed patties. This helps to cut down on the amount of interaction a person will need to have with the raw meat, thus cutting down on cross-contamination concerns. Meat must be cooked thoroughly prior to consumption.

Alexander Salahshoar encourages professional and amateur chefs alike to take food safety seriously, learning how to store and prepare items properly in order to decrease the risk of food borne illness.

ABOUT:

Alexander Salahshoar is the founder and owner of Catering by Alexander, which handles weddings, graduation parties, and other events. Alexander was educated at the Culinary Institute of America, where he learned how to prepare a range of foods using a number of techniques. He has previously served as a sous chef and as the executive chef of the Marriot in Houston.