After a job well done, there’s nothing quite like enjoying some delicious barbecue with family and friends.
With those few extra hours of daylight, summertime is a very productive season for many industries and clients we serve. But, it’s also great for extra time with family and friends, especially when outdoor cooking is involved. July is National Grilling Month, and that means it’s time to celebrate with cook-outs, barbecues, and backyard parties! We here at KB Staffing love this season, and all the good times it brings. “What I love about summer is grilling and being outside with the family,” says Kelly Braaten, our founder and president.
We know you can’t wait to get out there with your spatulas and tongs and start flipping some burgers, chicken, and more, so we’ve put together a few reminders for good grilling habits to keep you safe from salmonella this summer.
- Keep the grill clean, but watch out for those wire bristles. If you use a metal grill brush, be sure to inspect the grill carefully for loose bristles. That is NOT the kind of garnish you want to find in your food! Use a wet rag to wipe the grill down instead.
- Be safe with raw foods. If you’ve used a marinade, throw out the excess once the meat goes on the grill, you can’t use that with cooked food. Wash your cutting board after each use. Not only between raw and cooked foods, but also between different types of raw food, such as beef and chicken. And always use clean bowls, plates, and utensils for serving the finished food, not the same stuff you put the raw food on.
- Keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold. Hot foods should be kept at 140 degrees Fahrenheit until they are ready to be refrigerated or frozen. Cold foods should be kept on ice in the cooler or in the refrigerator. Allowing foods to sit out at room temperature can cause some nasty bacterial growth. Don’t let your potato salad spoil – put it away!
- Cook chicken thoroughly. “My favorite food to grill outdoors with family is chicken,” Kelly shares. Chicken is kickin’, but it takes just a bit more care than beef to grill right. While many people enjoy a steak cooked rare, you can’t do that with chicken, because of the risk of food-borne illness. Chicken needs to be cooked to an internal temperate of 165 degrees, so go ahead and invest in a meat thermometer for your next cook-out. It will come in handy!
Enjoy your summer, and when it’s time for you to think about picking up a new job or some temp work in Central Florida, give us a call at 863-875-5721. We are your full-service staffing agency in Polk County, and we know where the Central Florida jobs are. Stop by our office at 1560 6th Street SE, Winter Haven, to fill out an application online today.
