CLEAN & SAFE
What should you use instead of bare hands to handle ready-to-eat food?
Clean tongs, deli tissue, or single-use gloves.
What minimum internal temperature must chicken reach?
165°F
Which knife is commonly used for chopping, slicing, dicing, and mincing?
A chef’s knife
Should you ever pour water onto burning cooking oil?
No. Water can spread the burning oil
In a plant-forward meal, which foods take the leading role?
Plant foods, such as vegetables, beans, whole grains, and fruit
Where should raw chicken be stored in a refrigerator?
On the lowest shelf, below ready-to-eat foods, in a leakproof container.
At what temperature should cold TCS food generally be held?
41°F or lower
What should you do if a knife falls off the counter?
Step back, warn others, and let it fall. Never try to catch it
Which food became the ninth major food allergen recognized in the United States?
Sesame
What is food upcycling?
Turning safe, edible surplus ingredients or food by-products into new foods
Where should cleaning chemicals be stored?
Separately from and below food, equipment, and food-contact items.
At what temperature should hot TCS food generally be held?
135°F or higher
What can you place underneath a cutting board to prevent sliding?
A nonslip mat or a damp towel
You discover a spill on the kitchen floor. What should you do?
Guard the area, post a warning sign, and clean the spill immediately
Give two reasons a chef might choose local and seasonal ingredients.
Freshness, regional identity, value, or potentially shorter supply chains. Any two
What should you use to check a sanitizer solution’s concentration?
The correct sanitizer test strips.
What should a properly calibrated thermometer read in an ice-water slurry?
32°
How should you position your guiding hand while cutting?
Curl your fingertips under in a claw position
What does TCS stand for?
Time/Temperature Control for Safety
A chef updates a familiar comfort food with flavors from another cuisine. Which trend from our test does this demonstrate?
Combining comfort foods with global flavors and creative twists
After removing food scraps, what are the four steps for cleaning and sanitizing a food-contact surface?
Wash, rinse, sanitize, and air-dry.
Under the foodservice guidance used in our test, what temperature and holding time should fish reach?
145°F for 15 seconds
Why is a properly sharpened knife generally safer than a dull knife?
It requires less force and is less likely to slip
Why do TCS foods need time and temperature control?
To limit pathogen growth and toxin formation that could cause foodborne illness
Which beverage choices in our test reflect wellness interests and changing guest preferences?
Low- and no-alcohol drinks and beverages with functional ingredients
You handled raw chicken while wearing gloves. What must you do before preparing a salad?
Remove the gloves, wash your hands, and put on new gloves.
Under the foodservice guidance used in our test, what temperature and holding time should ground beef reach?
155°F for 17 seconds
Describe a proper pinch grip on a chef’s knife
Pinch the blade near the handle with your thumb and index finger. Wrap your remaining fingers around the handle.
A glass breaks beside uncovered food. What should the kitchen team do?
Stop work, isolate the area, discard exposed food, and clean up safely
A chef wants to offer higher-protein meals. What should the chef consider besides adding protein?
Balanced nutrition, appropriate portions, and guests’ dietary needs
A food worker has vomiting and diarrhea before a shift. What should the worker do?
Report the symptoms to the person in charge and stay away from food work as directed.
Previously cooked and cooled TCS food is being reheated for hot holding. What temperature, holding time, and reheating time limit apply?
Reach 165°F for 15 seconds within 2 hours
How should kitchen knives be washed and stored safely?
Wash them separately by hand, keeping the blade visible and pointed away. Follow cleaning and sanitizing procedures, dry safely, and store properly. Never leave knives hidden in soapy water.
A guest has a serious sesame allergy. What steps should the kitchen take before preparing the order?
Verify ingredients, use cleaned and sanitized tools, wash hands and put on fresh gloves, and prevent contact with sesame
How can a chef respectfully feature a dish from another culture?
Research the dish, credit its cultural roots, use accurate descriptions, and avoid stereotypes
A food handler gets a minor cut on a hand. What must happen before returning to food preparation?
Clean the wound, apply an impermeable bandage, and wear a single-use glove.
What are the two stages of safely cooling cooked TCS food?
Cool from 135°F to 70°F within 2 hours, then to 41°F or lower within 6 hours total
What is the difference between honing and sharpening a knife?
Honing realigns the blade’s edge. Sharpening removes metal to create a new edge
What is the purpose of HACCP, and which three types of hazards does it address?
HACCP identifies and controls food-safety hazards: biological, chemical, and physical
Name two ways AI can help a kitchen, and explain what must happen before its suggestions are used.
AI can help with inventory, forecasting, recipe development, or scheduling. A trained person must review its suggestions for accuracy and safety