By now you’ve been dazzled and wowed by the skills that the kids on MasterChef Junior have, whether it’s whipping up beef Wellington or just cutting up all those ingredients like a seasoned pro.

But it’s not all just fun and games. The kitchen can be a dangerous place with sharp objects and heat to deal with. One of the junior chefs, Sage, offers tips from the kitchen. Some are no-brainers, but who knows, maybe you’ll learn something new.

Keeping a Clean Kitchen

While the following are basic things to practice in the kitchen, how often do you remember to do them?

1. Keep hair tied back, no long, loose sleeves and wear closed-toe shoes.

2. Wash hands for 20 seconds.

3. Refrigerate groceries within two hours.

4. Avoid cross-contamination with work surface and utensils. 

5. Clean work surfaces with warm, soapy water.

Cutting Techniques

Wielding that sharp object to cut is like an art, and Sage shows how it’s done.

6. Knives don’t walk — they stay on the counter.

7. Use a serrated knife for thicker skin, and a paring knife for more control.

8. Use the knife in a rocking motion to cut.

9. Peel away from the body.

Heat Safety

Have you ever thought a stove wasn’t hot only to find out the hard way that it was? Or burnt your elbows while stirring a boiling pot? Check out how to avoid these blunders.

10. Don’t forget to put on oven mitts.

11. Always assume the stovetop is hot.

12. While stirring, keep elbows up to prevent burns.

13. Turn pot/pan handles to the back of the stove to prevent bumping into them.

14. Hot water and sauces splatter, so don’t stand directly in front of the pot.

MasterChef Junior airs Fridays at 8pm on FOX.

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(Image courtesy of FOX)


Esther Gim

Contributing Writer, BuddyTV