Owning a restaurant can be exciting and challenging. The fast paced environment and dynamic nature of the industry attracts many investors. The rigors of the daily life in a restaurant require dedication and commitment. Health codes for restaurants are very strict and in order to pass a health inspection you must be habitually prepared.
Instructions
1. Conduct weekly self assessments using a form similar to your state health inspector's form. Play the role of state health inspector. Enter the restaurant taking note of the outside appearance and proceed to inspect kitchen cleanliness, employee appearance and food temperatures.
2. Meet with employees after your self inspection. Discuss problem areas and what must be done to fix them. Talk about hand washing, proper food temperatures, preparation and food storage. Explain the consequences of basic health violations.
3. Educate employees about local health codes including proper handling of beef and beef blood, chicken and other food types. These three food categories should never cross paths during preparation or storage.
4. Consider using ServSafe, the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation's certification program to teach employees about proper food handling.
5. Walk with the health inspector during the actual inspection. Take notes and ask questions about what the inspector is doing. Fix a problem when it's simple and can be remedied immediately.
Tags: health inspector, employees about, food temperatures, proper food, state health
