An Offensive Notice on the Buffet Table?
Aug 21, 2007 by the_young_bride | Posted in Entertaining
In one of the 5 star hotel restaurants I found the notice on the Buffet Table, "Food items should not be handled by hand" meaning no one may touch or pic-up a food item with hands.
I found it quite offensive and I told the management about it but they said they won't pull down the notice. Do you find it offensive also?
If it offends you to use proper table manners, then don't go to 5 start restaurants. They are unlikely to serve "finger foods" so there should be no reason to eat with your hands. If you are unsure of which utensils to use per dish, ask.....
buggerhead | Aug 21, 2007
No. They want the food to be clean. That means pick everything up with TONGS, not your hands. It doesn't matter how hygienic you think you are, its an upscale hotel and people expect there food to have not been touched by unwashed and ungloved hands.
David | Aug 21, 2007
No,I don't want to eat what others rejected. I once observed a woman tasting the sauce and then she put the spoon back into the sauce. No thank you.
8tung | Aug 21, 2007
No, I think its a good idea. I don't want everyone who walks in off the street touching food I'm going to eat.....
alaindrea | Aug 21, 2007
if you have not experience a severe level of food poisoning than you will not able to understand the notice on the Buffet Table.It is for the benefit of all diners.
Most of us carry a bacteria call staphylococous aeuros, it everywhere on our body especially the hands, some are at low level and some have high concentration....If two people with high level and touch the same food, the bacteria will multiply rapidly. So if someone with low level of body immune to eat that food, they going to get food poisoning and that is definite.
Please dont feel offended, it for our benefit and appreciate the hotel for taking hygiene at a higher level
esa h | Aug 21, 2007
No! I think it's awesome.
wxyz | Aug 21, 2007
Not at all .Obviously the proper utensils were provided so that you could pick up the food items w/o your hand But hotels and restaurants take the possibility of a food-borne illness outbreak very seriously-and so should you.
One of the most common ways to start a food-borne illness outbreak is through a process called cross-contamination
For example :
Serving spoon A is placed in product Aa
which unbeknown to the chef was handled wrong and is now contaminated with bacteria.
A guest picks up spoon A which has all the little buggers from product Aa and places it in product Bb which has just become cross contaminated as a result.
Well chef's know this and do everything they can to insure that what comes out of their kitchen is a safe product and that proper food sanitation practices are strictly followed by the kitchen staff . Chef's are NOT going to risk their reputations or their business's by allowing a guest to cross contaminate their food.
By definition a food-borne illness outbreak is one case
By law it must be reported and it also becomes public knowledge
So you should go back and thank that banquet manager for looking out for you and your guests
mr danger | Aug 21, 2007
No not at all. Germs breed everywhere, and the hands are one of the most contaminant. Imagine picking up a dinner roll after someone who recently picked their nose had touched it? Imagine grabbing a fresh carrot after someone who used the restroom and didn't wash their hands? Imagine selecting a piece of fried chicken after someone had sneezed into their hands?
I can guarantee you that unless you wash your hands constantly, or use hand sanitizer, your hands have germs on them right now. The moment you left you house for dinner that night your hands became contaminated. You touch the car door, the restaurant door, the chair you sat on, the silverware you ate with, any money you may have touched.
Get the point?
earnhardt3_8forever | Aug 21, 2007
No. Why is that offensive?
KitKat | Aug 21, 2007
I don't find it offensive.
fajitacita | Aug 21, 2007
I think you are out voted on this one - do you want to eat food that has been handled and picked through.
chris w | Aug 21, 2007
No, I love this. I don't want people who have just used the bathroom, picked there nose, or wiped their child's ass putting their hands anywhere near the food that I am going to eat. I have my own germs and I love them, but I don't want your boogers on my food.
Tara C | Aug 21, 2007
I agree with everyone. Picture this. What if you had 200 people of all backgrounds filing past your kitchen counter touching everything in sight. This would be without washing their hands. What have these people been doing prior to entering your house? Watch those folks who come into a buffet restaurant. Straight to the food before washing hands.
Proper sanitation is extrememly important for everyone. Ask Jack in the Box.
BarelyaBabyBoomer | Aug 21, 2007
no it needs to be there.
Lady Blair | Aug 21, 2007
No that is not offensive. Yes, most people should have the sense to use the tongs but it doesn't hurt to point out the proper ettiquette.
lyndsey7323 | Aug 21, 2007
no its not offensive, in fact i think its required buy the food and drug admin for them to do that. People touch all sorts of nasty stuff for e.g they pick their nose and come touch the food and leave it would, you like to eat that? i dont think so. in fact they shouldn't have to tell you not to use your hands while serving it should just be common sense!!
Darshiki 777 | Aug 21, 2007
No I don't,no one should put their hands down by the food.Use a fork,spoon,or thongs.They had it there for the grown ups to read that allow their children to handle the food and put back once they decide they want another choice.I wish they had that sign where we eat at.I'm glad they stuck to their guns.Too many intestinal infections can come from unwashed hands...
Maw-Maw | Aug 21, 2007
No, it's not offensive. Tongs and serving utensils are provided for the handling of food, but some people (who might not have washed their hands) think nothing of using their fingers instead. Staff want to ensure that hygiene and safety are recognized, so the sign is a good idea.
for Da Ben Dan - redflag | Aug 21, 2007
: $210.00 
Pair of Transitional Silver Buffet/Table Lamps, Set/2 
United Church of Christ hosts Abraham's Tent project“It's my potato salad, with my secret ingredient,” said Bernadette Welch, as she stirred the contents of a bowl before setting it on the buffet table. “The last two nights have gone really well,” White said. “These guys are wonderful.
