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Basic Food Safety Course - Part 4

Produced by the Central District Health Department, Boise, ID.

Part 4: Inadequate Cooking and Contamination.

Learn about 2 major causes of foodborne illness in the United States; inadequate cooking and contaminated equipment. Find the proper minimum cooking temperature ranges for meat, fish and poultry, and learn about proper washing and sanitization techniques. More information http://www.cdhd.idaho.gov/.

To view complete article visit: http://hospitalitytrainingcenter.com/12001.html

Hospitality Careers Training Center

2751 Hennepin Ave S #297

Minneapolis, MN 55408-1002

(612) 216-3987

For a complete list of TAP Series online programs offered by the Hospitality Careers Training Center as well as upcoming ServSafe class dates and locations, course description, cost, online registration, and ServSafe Essentials 5th Edition Textbook, visit: http://www.hospitalitytrainingcenter.com/

Basic Food Safety Course - Part 3 Personal Hygiene

Part 3: Poor Personal Hygiene.

Poor personal hygiene is responsible for many foodborne illnesses in the United States. Learn about proper hand washing and personal grooming, illnesses that either restrict or exclude employees from working, and watch a lighthearted example of poor personal hygiene featuring "Harold the Cook".

To view complete article visit: http://hospitalitytrainingcenter.com/12001.html

Hospitality Careers Training Center

2751 Hennepin Ave S #297

Minneapolis, MN 55408-1002

(612) 216-3987

For a complete list of TAP Series online programs offered by the Hospitality Careers Training Center as well as upcoming ServSafe class dates and locations, course description, cost, online registration, and ServSafe Essentials 5th Edition Textbook, visit: http://www.hospitalitytrainingcenter.com/

Food Safety Part 2 - Holding Time and Temp

Produced by the Central District Health Department, Boise, ID.

Part 2: Holding Time and Temperature.

The top 5 current foodborne illnesses in the United States are introduced here. Learn about proper holding times and temperatures, and what qualifies potentially hazardous foods to fall into the "Danger Zone", where bacteria rapidly grow and become dangerous to customers.

To view complete article visit: http://hospitalitytrainingcenter.com/12001.html

Hospitality Careers Training Center

2751 Hennepin Ave S #297

Minneapolis, MN 55408-1002

(612) 216-3987

For a complete list of TAP Series online programs offered by the Hospitality Careers Training Center as well as upcoming ServSafe class dates and locations, course description, cost, online registration, and ServSafe Essentials 5th Edition Textbook, visit: http://www.hospitalitytrainingcenter.com/

Basic Food Safety Course - Part 1 Introduction

Produced by the Central District Health Department (CDHD) in Boise, ID.

Foodborne illnesses are responsible for more than 75 million illnesses, more than 230,000 hospitalizations, and approximately 5000 deaths each year in the United States. In Part 1, we show you 3 types of contamination and how improper handling can allow them to become dangerous to your patrons.

To view complete article visit: http://hospitalitytrainingcenter.com/12001.html

Hospitality Careers Training Center
2751 Hennepin Ave S #297
Minneapolis, MN 55408-1002
(612) 216-3987

For a complete list of TAP Series online programs offered by the Hospitality Careers Training Center as well as upcoming ServSafe class dates and locations, course description, cost, online registration, and ServSafe Essentials 5th Edition Textbook, visit: http://www.hospitalitytrainingcenter.com/

Salad Bar Safety

Recently, researchers at the University of California have placed salad bars under surveillance to see how sanitary they are. In one such study, 60 percent of the customers were observed committing at least one infraction of good sanitation practice while serving themselves at the salad bars. Here are some of the things they were seen doing:

*Spilling food around hard-to-reach containers
*Dipping their fingers into salad dressings for a sample lick
*Eating from their plates while waiting in the serving line
*Ducking their heads underneath the sneeze guard for better access to the food (especially kids)
*Refilling their soiled plates with second helpings

If this behavior doesn't surprise you--people are the same everywhere--it may surprise you to learn that it was not the consumers the investigators blamed for these violations, but the food service managers. The way they saw it, people treat a salad bar with with respect if it is constructed properly, has signs to guide patrons to correct behavior, and is properly attended and supervised.

To view complete article visit: http://hospitalitytrainingcenter.com/12001.html

Hospitality Careers Training Center
2751 Hennepin Ave S #297
Minneapolis, MN 55408-1002
(612) 216-3987

For a complete list of TAP Series online programs offered by the Hospitality Careers Training Center as well as upcoming ServSafe class dates and locations, course description, cost, online registration, and ServSafe Essentials 5th Edition Textbook, visit: http://www.hospitalitytrainingcenter.com/

Source:
FoodTalk
Is your Salad Bar Under Surveillance?
Charles Felix Associates
(703) 777-7448

Fruitcake Recipes

Recipes and tips for making delicious holiday fruitcakes
By Diana Rattray, About.com Guide

Fruitcakes get an awful lot of bad press, especially the mass produced varieties, but a rich homemade version can be incredibly delicious.

The South, with it's great love for baking cakes, has offered many fruitcakes through the years. In Mary Randolph's "The Virginia Housewife" (1824), there is a recipe for "A Rich Fruit Cake" with a pound cake batter and 9 pounds of assorted raisins, currants, almonds, and citron. "Mrs. Hill's New Cookbook" (1872) gives recipes for five, including a "Cheap Fruitcake," "Confederate Fruit Cake," and "Black Cake."

Generally, fruitcake is a mixture of fruits and nuts with just enough batter to hold them together. When wrapped in cloth and foil, saturated with alcoholic liquors regularly, and kept in in tightly closed tins, a fruitcake may be kept for months or even years.

Have It Your Way...

If there are certain fruits you don't like, you can always include more of another, or some of your own favorites. Dried fruits cooked in juice can take the place of candied fruits, and seeds can replace nuts. To convert a favorite "dark" fruitcake recipe to a "light" fruitcake, leave out the dark spices, use light colored fruits (golden raisins, dried apricots, etc.), and replace dark corn syrup or molasses with light corn syrup.

To view complete article visit: http://hospitalitytrainingcenter.com/12001.html

Hospitality Careers Training Center
2751 Hennepin Ave S #297
Minneapolis, MN 55408-1002
(612) 216-3987

For a complete list of TAP Series online programs offered by the Hospitality Careers Training Center as well as upcoming ServSafe class dates and locations, course description, cost, online registration, and ServSafe Essentials 5th Edition Textbook, visit: http://www.hospitalitytrainingcenter.com/

100 Things Restaurant Staffers Should Never Do

This article, by Bruce Buschel, was posted in two parts on the New York Times Small Business "You're the Boss" blog. The article was discussed on Monday, December 7th's Midmorning with Kerri Miller from Minnesota Public Radio. Yesterday's blog has a link to listen to that discussion. Many Minnesota servers and customers called to voice their opinion during the one hour program. The article ends with a quote from Bill Gates that we can all relate to, "Your most unhappy customers are your greatest source of learning."

Source: http://boss.blogs.nytimes.com/

By Bruce Buschel

Herewith is a modest list of dos and don’ts for servers at the seafood restaurant I am building. Veteran waiters, moonlighting actresses, libertarians and baristas will no doubt protest some or most of what follows. They will claim it homogenizes them or stifles their true nature. And yet, if 100 different actors play Hamlet, hitting all the same marks, reciting all the same lines, cannot each one bring something unique to that role?

1. Do not let anyone enter the restaurant without a warm greeting.

2. Do not make a singleton feel bad. Do not say, "Are you waiting for someone?" Ask for a reservation. Ask if he or she would like to sit at the bar.

3. Never refuse to seat three guests because a fourth has not yet arrived.

4. If a table is not ready within a reasonable length of time, offer a free drink and/or amuse-bouche. The guests may be tired and hungry and thirsty, and they did everything right.

5. Tables should be level without anyone asking. Fix it before guests are seated.

6. Do not lead the witness with, "Bottled water or just tap?" Both are fine. Remain neutral.

7. Do not announce your name. No jokes, no flirting, no cuteness.

8. Do not interrupt a conversation. For any reason. Especially not to recite specials. Wait for the right moment.

9. Do not recite the specials too fast or robotically or dramatically. It is not a soliloquy. This is not an audition.

10. Do not inject your personal favorites when explaining the specials.

To view complete article visit: http://hospitalitytrainingcenter.com/12001.html
Hospitality Careers Training Center
2751 Hennepin Ave S #297
Minneapolis, MN 55408-1002
(612) 216-3987

For a complete list of TAP Series online programs offered by the Hospitality Careers Training Center as well as upcoming ServSafe class dates and locations, course description, cost, online registration, and ServSafe Essentials 5th Edition Textbook, visit: http://www.hospitalitytrainingcenter.com/

Twin Cities food writers provide holiday tips

On Monday, December 7th Minnesota Public Radio's Midmorning host Kerri Miller talks with Dara Maskowitz Grumdahl and Rick Nelson, loacl twin cities food writers, to provide tips for celebrating the season with food and drink. Dara Moskowitz Grumdahl is a food writer for Minnesota Monthly and four-time winner of the James Beard Award. Her new book is "Drink This: Wine Made Simple." Rick Nelson is a food writer for the Star Tribune.

To view complete article visit: http://hospitalitytrainingcenter.com/12001.html

Hospitality Careers Training Center
2751 Hennepin Ave S #297
Minneapolis, MN 55408-1002
(612) 216-3987

For a complete list of TAP Series online programs offered by the Hospitality Careers Training Center as well as upcoming ServSafe class dates and locations, course description, cost, online registration, and ServSafe Essentials 5th Edition Textbook, visit: http://www.hospitalitytrainingcenter.com/

Your Chicken is Probably Contaminated

A recent Consumer Reports study finds that two-thirds of whole broiler chickens tested across the country harbored salmonella and/or campylobacter. Urvashi Rangan is the author of the study, and tells host Liane Hansen of National Public Radio, which chickens made the good and bad lists. Transcript below.

LIANE HANSEN, host:

How safe is your chicken dinner? Apparently, not very. A recent Consumer Reports investigation put the birds to the test. They bought 382 uncooked whole chickens from over 100 different stores in 22 states and hired an outside lab to test for disease-causing bacteria. The results: two-thirds of the whole broiler chickens they tested harbored salmonella and another pathogen called campylobacter. Both are the leading bacterial causes of food-borne illness. Urvashi Rangan is the author of the Consumer Reports study. She says the results are troubling.

To view complete article visit: http://hospitalitytrainingcenter.com/12001.html

Hospitality Careers Training Center
2751 Hennepin Ave S #297
Minneapolis, MN 55408-1002
(612) 216-3987

For a complete list of TAP Series online programs offered by the Hospitality Careers Training Center as well as upcoming ServSafe class dates and locations, course description, cost, online registration, and ServSafe Essentials 5th Edition Textbook, visit: http://www.hospitalitytrainingcenter.com/

MIRACLE ON 25TH STREET

11.30.09 9:15am CST: Open Arms has a great deal to be thankful for. We have secured $8.1 million and successfully completed our capital campaign! The success of our campaign will allow us to finish construction of our new facility at 25th Street and Bloomington Avenue and begin serving even more clients with chronic, progressive and potentially life-threatening illnesses.

Since announcing our campaign in May of 2007, we have had tremendous support from this community – from a $5 gift from the four-year-old daughter of a volunteer to a million dollar donation from longtime supporters. More than 1,200 individuals, foundations, corporations and faith communities have contributed to our campaign. This tremendous outpouring of support – in the midst of the Great Recession – means Open Arms will qualify for an $800,000 challenge grant from the Kresge Foundation and a $400,000 challenge grant from the Bush Foundation.

To view complete article visit: http://hospitalitytrainingcenter.com/12001.html

Hospitality Careers Training Center

2751 Hennepin Ave S #297

Minneapolis, MN 55408-1002

(612) 216-3987

http://www.hospitalitytrainingcenter.com/

Holiday Food Safety Success Kit

Purchasing the turkey

Be prepared! Before purchasing your turkey, make ample space in your refrigerator, moving shelves if necessary.

Fresh or frozen? There is no quality difference between a fresh or frozen turkey although fresh turkeys have shorter shelf lives. By purchasing a frozen turkey, you can get the turkey in advance and take advantage of special sales. Fresh turkeys provide convenience because they do not require thawing.

What size turkey do I need to buy? When purchasing a whole turkey, purchase at least one pound of uncooked turkey per person. You'll have enough for the feast and for leftovers too. (see checklist for more purchasing details)

When should I buy it? Keep in mind that a whole turkey takes about 24 hours per four to five pounds to thaw in the refrigerator. (For example: A 15-pound frozen bird will take 3 to 4 full days to thaw in the refrigerator.) Ideally, purchase your frozen turkey as far in advance as necessary to safely thaw it in the refrigerator. If buying a fresh turkey, purchase it only 1 to 2 days before the meal and keep it refrigerated.

To view complete article visit: http://hospitalitytrainingcenter.com/12001.html

Hospitality Careers Training Center

2751 Hennepin Ave S #297

Minneapolis, MN 55408-1002

(612) 216-3987

http://www.hospitalitytrainingcenter.com/

FDA v. Sharkco Seafood International Inc.

FDA NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: November 24, 2009

Media Inquires: Siobhan DeLancey, siobhan.delancey@fda.hhs.gov, 301-796-4668
Consumer Inquires: 1-888-INFO-FDA

FDA Seeks Permanent Injunction Against Sharkco Seafood International Inc.
Sharkco’s History of Violations Prompts FDA to Seek Court Action

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is seeking a permanent injunction against Sharkco Seafood International Inc., located in Venice, La. The injunction is intended to stop the seafood processing company from distributing scombrotoxin-forming fish in interstate commerce. Consumption of scombrotoxin-forming fish that are not properly preserved or refrigeratedcan result in scombroid food poisoning, a foodborne illness that results from eating spoiled or decayed fish. Scombrotoxin-forming fish most commonly include mackerel, sardines, tuna, bluefish, and mahi mahi.

To view complete article visit: http://hospitalitytrainingcenter.com/12001.html

Hospitality Careers Training Center

2751 Hennepin Ave S #297

Minneapolis, MN 55408-1002

(612) 216-3987

www.hospitalitytrainingcenter.com

Holiday Food Safety During Pregnancy

Learn how to keep you and your unborn baby healthy this holiday season by being food safe. The holiday season is a very exciting time of year filled with parties, family gatherings and lots of food. From turkey and dressing to every type of dessert imaginable, there is never a time of year when food is more of a focus. While it is important that everyone keep food safety in mind during this season, it is especially important for pregnant women to do so.

To view complete article visit: http://hospitalitytrainingcenter.com/12001.html

Hospitality Careers Training Center

2751 Hennepin Ave S #297

Minneapolis, MN 55408-1002

(612) 216-3987

http://www.hospitalitytrainingcenter.com/

Minn. Food Shelves To Get Donation From Farmers

Source: WCCO.com

ST. PAUL (AP) ―Minnesota farmers are giving 85,000 pounds of pork and more than 36,000

pounds of cheese to food shelves.

Representatives of the state Pork Board, Milk Producers Association and Soybean Research & Promotion Council announced the donation with Gov. Tim Pawlenty on Friday. The agricultural groups are working together as Minnesota Farmers Helping Families.

Representatives of the state Pork Board, Milk Producers Association and Soybean Research & Promotion Council announced the donation with Gov. Tim Pawlenty on Friday. The agricultural groups are working together as Minnesota Farmers Helping Families.

To view complete article visit: http://hospitalitytrainingcenter.com/12001.html

Hospitality Careers Training Center
2751 Hennepin Ave S #297
Minneapolis, MN 55408-1002
(612) 216-3987

http://www.hospitalitytrainingcenter.com/

10 Foods Most Likely to Make You Sick

Leafy Greens, Eggs, and Tuna Are Among Foods Mostly Like to Cause Food-borne Illness

By Todd Zwillich
WebMD Health News

Oct. 6, 2009 -- Here's a surprise: Some of the healthiest foods may also be the most likely to cause food-borne illness.

That's the conclusion in a report by the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI). The report shows leafy greens, sprouts, and berries are among the most prone to carry infections or toxins.

"We don't recommend that consumers change their eating habits," says Caroline Smith DeWaal, the CSPI's head of food safety programs. Instead, the group is trying to point out vulnerabilities in the nation's food safety system as it lobbies Congress to beef up enforcement.

The group analyzed CDC data on food illness outbreaks dating back to 1990. They found that

leafy greens were involved in 363 outbreaks and about 13,600 illnesses, mostly caused by norovirus, E. coli, and salmonella bacteria.

The rest of the top 10 list included:
* Eggs, involved in 352 outbreaks and 11,163 reported cases of illness.
* Tuna, involved in 268 outbreaks and 2,341 reported cases of illness.
* Oysters, involved in 132 outbreaks and 3,409 reported cases of illness.
* Potatoes, involved in 108 outbreaks and 3,659 reported cases of illness.
* Cheese, involved in 83 outbreaks and 2,761 reported cases of illness.
* Ice cream, involved in 74 outbreaks and 2,594 reported cases of illness.
* Tomatoes, involved in 31 outbreaks and 3,292 reported cases of illness.
* Sprouts, involved in 31 outbreaks and 2,022 reported cases of illness.
* Berries, involved in 25 outbreaks and 3,397 reported cases of illness.

It is unclear how many of the outbreaks can be blamed on the foods themselves. The CDC's database can't discriminate between outbreaks caused by tomatoes, for example, vs. those caused by other ingredients in a salad. Foods like potatoes are almost always consumed cooked, so it is unlikely that potatoes themselves caused 108 outbreaks.

Still, Smith DeWaal called the list "the tip of the iceberg" when it comes to food-borne illnesses in the U.S. Not all outbreaks are reported to public health authorities. In addition, the analysis focused only on foods regulated by the FDA; that leaves out beef, pork, poultry, and some egg products, which are policed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

"Consumers always want to know what they should do to avoid getting sick," says Sarah Klein, lead author of the report. She recommends "defensive eating," including keeping food cold and cooking it thoroughly, chilling oysters and avoiding them when raw, and avoiding raw eggs or using them in homemade ice cream.

Several bills that are circulating in Congress aim to crack down on food safety by requiring all food producers to keep written safety plans and giving the FDA more power to inspect plans and enforce rules.

"In a relative scale our food supply remains quite safe," says Craig Hedberg, a professor of environmental and occupational health at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health. The CDC says 76 million Americans get sick from food-borne illnesses each year.

"Because most people don't experience a bad outcome from a lapse in good behavior it's difficult to enforce," he says.

Source: http://www.webmd.com/diet/news/20091006/10-foods-most-likely-to-make-you-sick

Hospitality Careers Training Center
2751 Hennepin Ave S # 297
Minneapolis, MN 55408-1002
(612) 216-3987

http://www.hospitalitytrainingcenter.com/

TAP Series Online Food Manager Certification

The Hospitality Careers Training Center is proud to offer the TAP Series online Food Manager training programs as an alternative to traditional classroom learning. Online courses available for both initial certification and recertification. Recertification is approved in Wisconsin and Minnesota. Students are able to complete the lessons at a pace that is comfortable for them.

For more information visit: http://www.hospitalitytrainingcenter.com/

Hospitality Careers Training Center

2751 Hennepin Ave S #297

Minneapolis, MN 55408

(612) 216-3987