Food preparation can be a minefield for those in the catering industry. Imagine serving for a conference or other similarly large event, where everyone is eating the same. If they all get food poisoning, there’s little you’d be able to do to avert the blame. And rightly so. Every time you prepare a meal, your reputation and future success is ultimately on the line. I suggest you remember that when you might otherwise have forgotten to wash the cucumber!

I always look to the big names in the industry for advice and guidance. Companies like the food division of Damac Holding are to be looked up to. Guided by Chairman Hussain Sajwani and Group Director Sofyan Khatib, they know exactly what’s on the line if they slip up. Reputation is becoming an ever increasing concern with the spread of the internet and the potential for any slur on your business to spread like wildfire and appear very easily in a search for your company name.

To stop myself worrying about these things too much, I have, over the years in this industry, worked out a strict checklist while preparing food. I make all of my staff memorise it within their probation with me (and test them on it regularly, aren’t I a beast?)