In a recent Food Network video, Bobby Flay weighed in on a string of controversial questions, but one answer in particular set the internet buzzing. “I wash my chicken before I cook it,” he admitted.
For some home cooks, rinsing chicken in the sink is a non-negotiable. For others, it’s a dangerous habit. Flay may be a celebrated chef and restaurateur, but is he right about this kitchen practice?”
@foodnetwork do you agree with @Bobby Flay’s takes on these controversial cooking questions? #BobbysTripleThreat
Should You Wash Chicken or Not?
Commenters said he lost all credibility for washing chicken. One called it “wrong answers only.” Another said that celebrity chefs are as clueless as everyone else.
According to the CDC, washing chicken is a bad idea. Contrary to popular belief, rinsing doesn’t get rid of germs. In fact, it spreads them. Running the faucet over them makes this bacteria splash all over your sink and countertops.
Even if you scrub the sink afterwards, bacteria can still linger. And if you rinse fruits and vegetables right after, there’s a chance that the germs from the sink can splash onto the food. This increases the risk of foodborne illness.
So, why do people continue to wash chicken when it’s unsanitary? For many, it’s a cultural tradition passed down through generations. Others do it to get rid of blood, fat, odor, or slimy texture.
While washing chicken isn’t guaranteed to make you sick, it does increase your chances, even if you have good kitchen habits. It can be hard to break the habit, but it’s ultimately safer to skip the rinse and let the cooking do the work.
Bobby Flay’s Other Controversial Takes
Another hot take from Flay: “pre-minced garlic is never okay.” That one lit up the comments, with plenty of users defending their use of “jarlic,” and even insisting its stronger bite is what makes it better
In a surprising twist, he admitted he does not rinse his rice, leading commenters to declare they’d never eat his rice dishes. Rinsing rice helps wash away dirt, dust, and excess starch, which can otherwise leave the grains clumpy and gummy.
When asked about animals in the kitchen, Flay said he only allows cats. One commenter said, “I’d let dogs in the kitchen before cats, but I also wash my rice.” Flay was taking hits left and right.
Some of his answers leaned more toward established norms, like saying it’s not okay to break pasta. While many agree, some home cooks admit to snapping noodles just to make them fit in the pot.
Whether you agree with Flay or not, his credentials speak for themselves. Nobody gets it right all the time, and it just proves that every cook has their own way of doing things.
Related: Bobby Flay Warns Fans to ‘Set Those Reminders’ as He Reveals Major Announcement
