By Michael Doom

Except for the high end establishments, just about every type of restaurant these days has some form of customer self-service buffet or salad bar serving ready-to-eat foods. Even El Pollo Loco and other Mexican style restaurants allow you to pick and fill up from a choice of salsas. Asian style all-you-can-eat restaurants are another big one with many popping up in most big cities. Then there are of course the restaurants that focus entirely on buffets and salad bars.

The health and safety laws governing these displays have developed over the years to address the uniqueness of this type of set up and some of the unique hazards or risks to consumers. Noted below are most of those requirements as well as my own recommendations from years of experience inspecting restaurant buffets and salad bars:

–One obvious requirement is that all open exposed ready-to-eat food must be shielded so as to block a direct line between the customer’’s mouth and the food on display. This shield is generally known as a sneeze guard for the larger displays of food and is usually glass or transparent plastic, angled above the food enough to block possible contamination coming from a customer’’s mouth (saliva from sneezing, coughing, talking, etc.). The shield can also take the form of a container with a tight fitting securely attached lid, normally with hinges. If there is no evidence of a shield or lid then the display is most likely not approved and should be avoided.

–A separate utensil with a handle is required for each food displayed for self-service. No customer is allowed to touch any of the exposed food with their hands.

–There must be clean plates and other tableware at or adjacent to the buffet or salad bar and customers should be reminded, or notified if need be, that only clean tableware is to be used when returning to the buffet.

–The proper temperatures must be maintained. The food is usually displayed on ice (and actually should be buried in ice), or the containers are sitting either in a refrigerated unit or warmer, or the food is sitting under a heating lamp. Look for steam coming from the warmer or steam table and even the food itself. Do not trust a chafing dish for long term holding (more than 2 hours) of foods. You will generally only see chafing dishes at a temporary buffet setting. They are large shallow metal platters with one or two canned gas lighted flames underneath, attempting to keep the food warm. They are maybe good for short periods of time only, and are not to be trusted or definitely not approved for a more permanent buffet setting. Heat lamps usually fall into this same category. They also are not the best means of maintaining hot holding temperatures for long period of times.

–Employees should be constantly monitoring and maintaining the buffet or salad bar. They should be doing everything from replenishing it to cleaning and checking temperatures frequently.

–No sulfites or sulfiting agents. Sulfites used to be a common preserving agent especially in fruits, maintaining a fresh appearance. Most if not all states prohibit any food facility from applying sulfating agents to fresh fruits and vegetables intended for raw consumption, or to any potentially hazardous foods. Sulfites are still allowed on fruits and vegetables not sold in the raw state, such as dried fruits and grapes used for wine.

–Absolutely no flies or other types of vermin (cockroaches, rodents) can be present. Contrary to what you may have heard, there is no acceptable number or amount of vermin allowed in a food facility. Vermin are strictly illegal in all areas of the establishment. They harbor and can transmit dangerous microorganisms as well as general filth to your food and should not be tolerated.

– No leaking and pooling waste water on the floor area, either from melting ice, or the refrigeration or warmer unit.

–Most foods should have a label identifying the common name of the food, sauce, dressing, condiments etc.

Learning the requirements and potential hazards of a buffet or salad bar is just good consumer awareness and can give you the advantage in preventing a serious food borne illness.

About The Author

Mr. Doom has worked as a Environmental Health Specialist for more than 20 years. He has conducted thousands of inspections and educated more than a thousand, food facility owners, managers and employees on food sanitation and safety, and how to prevent food poisoning hazards. To learn more visit http://www.FoodPoisoningPrevention.com.

By Shaun Parker

There is nothing like a long drink on a hot sunny day to cool down. Fruit juice bursting with health and vitality needs more than a straw and an an umbrella to top it off, for a proper refreshing beverage, heaps of ice are needed, crushed, cubed or flaked. There is more to ice than just popping the stuff in drinks to keep the summer heat at bay. Here are some ideas for icy activities.

The Vodka Luge
Continuing with a drinking theme, the luge is a fun way to enjoy a drink. The difference is that the alcohol is inside the ice and no glasses are needed! A variation of the traditional ice sculptures adorning corporate dinner tables, the luge is a party centrepiece. The vodka luge is a sculpted block of ice that has a channel running through it to pour a drink through for a super chilled alcohol hit. As the drink is poured in one end, the drinker waits at the other, mouth open to consume the icy vodka. To make the process more entertaining, the sculptures are often of body parts or objects that cause great hilarity when they have to be put to the mouth! A basic luge can be created at home, simply by freezing water in a mould as big as you fit in a freezer. A plastic storage tub is ideal. Placing flexible tubing or wooden doweling in the mould forms a basic channel.

The Other Luge and more Icy Sports
If partying like an animal is not on the agenda, the other luge is an option for more sober entertainment. A luge is a sled for up to two people similar to a bobsleigh and luge is the name of sport where the sleds race against each other and the clock. Another equally dangerous sporting pastime is Ice Hockey. Infamous for it’’s on rink fisty cuffs, the fights during ice hockey matches are all part of the game. When not fighting, there is the ever present danger of getting a puck in the face or another bodily target despite the ten tonnes of padding and a helmet. Ice skating on the other hand is a much more sedate pastime, and twirling away to the bolero in spangled spandex is always an option for a Friday night down the local ice rink.

Ice Sculptures that aren”t Luges
Ice sculptures have connotations of being a little passe. Although a vodka luge makes an interesting variation, there are actually ice sculptors out there whose talents blow minds. Intricate sculptures of cameras and cars are cleverly crafted by artists as decor for corporate events and as promotional sculptures for big business. The craft is regarded as an art in it’’s own right too and competitions happen on a regular basis to crown a person as the most talented ice artist.

The Ice Hotel
However impressing all the crazy ice sculptures may be, nothing can beat the wonder of an ice hotel. There are several hotels of this nature located in Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland, Greenland and Quebec. These hotels have to be constructed from scratch every year as they melt during the summer time, and absolutely everything is made from ice. The glasses, plates, chairs, tables, beds are all made from ice. There is the luxury of sleeping on reindeer skin to keep the chills at bay though! The first hotel was in Sweden and happened by accident. Japanese ice artists created an installation, and that evening there were no places to stay, so they bedded down to become the first guests in what became an ice hotel. So get creative with ideas for ice, you may well stumble upon a great new trend!

About The Author

Shaun Parker is a leading catering expert with many years of experience in the catering industry. Find out more about ice flakers and other ice making products at Ascot Wholesale

By Dee Power

Know a kid who doesn”t love tacos? Probably not. There aren”t many kids who don”t like tacos. If you are looking for a great way to “spice up” a kid’’s party, consider setting up a taco bar. You can even go a step further and purchase a pinata, for the event. Stuff the pinata with individually wrapped candies, small toys from the dollar store, and coins.

Because most children don”t like, or simply can”t tolerate, extremely spicy hot foods, you”ll want to keep the spices at a minimum. But by no means will this lessen the fun. Keep a bottle of hot sauce, spicy salsa, and chopped jalapeno peppers on the side for adults. Make sure they”re out of reach of little fingers who don”t know what they might be getting into.

This idea will probably work better for kids who are able to assemble their own tacos. They will love the creative outlet! Younger guests will, or course, need a bit of help filling their shells. Children’’s eyes are bigger than their tummies so most kids will overfill their plates, but that’’s okay. The ingredients are inexpensive. A taco bar is twice the fun because it’’s food and fun. A way to entertain the kids at the party as well as feed them.

If you have ever visited a taco bar, in a Mexican restaurant, you have probably noticed that it features other dishes in addition to tacos. Although this is perfectly acceptable, for a kid’’s party, you”ll probably want to keep things simple and stick with the basics.

The great thing about a taco bar is the fact that much of the prep work can be done before the day of the party. Hamburger can be cooked and seasoned the day before. Refrigerate it and then warm and use straight from your crock pot.

You can also dice everything beforehand and store in separate containers, in the refrigerator. Lettuce, tomatoes and cheese can easily be prepared ahead. Also include chopped cucumbers, green peppers, red peppers (not spicy) cooked corn, jicama, black beans, refried beans, and lemon and lime slices. Shredded chicken and broken up fish sticks work well as taco fillings too.

On the day of the party, transfer desired sauces and condiments into colorful bowls. Include things like guacamole, sour cream, shredded mild cheeses, shredded sharp cheeses, mild salsa, green and black olives.

Arrange everything on a buffet table. Provide a variety of shells, several different beverage options, plenty of napkins and let the fiesta begin!

For dessert keep the theme going with a tostada dessert bar. Tostada are flat crispy corn tortillas that have been baked or fried. Usually they”re not salty so they make a good carrier for the dessert items. Have chocolate and vanilla puddings, sliced fresh fruit, small candies like M&Ms, butterscotch pieces, miniature marshmallows, gummy bears, and of course whipped cream. Children spread the tostada with the pudding of their choice and then garnish with the candies and fruit and top with whipped cream.

A taco bar and tostada dessert bar make for a fun and entertaining kid’’s party idea.

About The Author

Get your free report of Party Ideas for Kids at
Party Ideas for Kids Dee Power is the author of several nonfiction books including “The Making of a Bestseller and the Publishing Primer.” Her hobbies include cooking, gardening and fine jewelry.

By Dave Russell

What’’s not to like about a restaurant that is attempting to add a bit of German culture to the fellow citizens of Plano Texas?

Bavarian Grill is located in the North West corner of 75 and Parker in the back of the shopping center. Bavarian Grill offers a large menu with traditionally prepared German menu items including Schnitzel, Gulasch, Rinder Rouladen, and even Sauerbraten.

The restaurant also features a bier garten where patrons can come and enjoy a pint or two from a large selection of primarily German Beers. The Bier Garten like the restaurant is waited by friendly staff.

My experience with the Bavarian Grill was quite nice. However, I think they need to reconsider their house band. The restaurant is entirely too small to house a 12 person polka band. I am all for a true oktoberfest like experience but I shouldn”t have to yell over the band in order to converse with the person across the table from me. Also for a restaurant that is asking 20 dollars a plate seating should be more comfortable than a picnic table.

A restaurant charging what Bavarian Grill charges should feel more astute than the bar around the corner with two dollar pitchers. However, I do appreciate the authenticity of the menu however it is out of sync with the restaurants atmosphere. For that price I should be able to expect both a great menu and a wonderful atmosphere, not have to ask the waitress for ear plugs.

Speaking of the wait staff, which were very friendly however the traditional Bavarian outfits were a little over the top. It was kind of like being at Disney Land and having Mickey Mouse and Cinderella bring you your drinks.

I must admit that the menu items were well prepared and were quite authentic. The Schnitzel was thin and as large as the plate. The Rinder Rouladen was tightly rolled and covered in a well flavored brown gravy. However, I wouldn”t say that the quality of the food was worth the 20 dollar a plate price tag. Especially for a place that was more sports bar than restaurant.

If I was to rate the restaurant in Plano, I would have to say its atmosphere is a 4 and its beer selection is a 4 as well. However, they need to work quite a bit to make the dinning experience more enjoyable. They could always keep the band in the beer garten so that people eating could converse normally. So all in all, it’’s an enjoyable place and adds to the cultural diversity in Plano, however until they find away to make the atmosphere match the price tag, I am going to have to rate it at 3.

About The Author

Dave Russell is a local of Plano TX and writes reviews of Local Restaurants. Visit his blog about Local Plano Restaurants.

By Zach Thompson

What is all the hype about goji juice, goji berries, and glyconutrients about? Goji juice is a healthy supplement to our diets that can help with your overall well-being and keep you feeling well. The glyco nutrients in Goji juice are not found in abundance in our regular diets, only two of these are in most diets, but they can be easily supplemented with as little as an ounce of this healthy juice everyday.

Goji juice is rich in beta carotene and vitamin C, important carotenoids that have been proven to help keep the body healthy. Along with glyco nutrients, Goji juice also contains geranium which no other fruit is known to contain. It also has important polysaccharides that offer significant benefits to your overall health. Goji juice provides eight essential amino-acids and trace minerals that include zinc, copper, and selenium in addition to glyconutrients.

Goji berries and goji juice also provides Vitamin E which is normally only found in nuts and seeds along with B-complex vitamins and fatty acids. Goji berries provide 11 milligrams of iron per every 100 grams of fruit to the diet. The protein in goji juice is also said to be higher than that of wheat. Even without glyco nutrients, goji juice is a very healthy drink and should be a part of our everyday diet.

The glyconutrients found in goji juice are special sugars that we normally do not find in abundance in our daily diet. This group of eight glyco nutrients are building blocks that incorporate into the cells of your body and are involved in many biological functions. Glyco nutrients affect each individual cell’’s structure and help with cell to cell communication which offers protection for all the cells in the body.

Glyconutrients work on the premise of keeping the cells healthy which keeps the immune system strong. The blood, the immune system, tissues, glands, and internal organs all depend on healthy communication between the cells to function properly. When the cells miscommunicate it is believed that is when abnormal changes occur to the cells such as the change that free radical damage causes to cells.

Communication in the body starts breaking down without all of the glyconutrients in our diet. Problems set in when the cells can”t recognize the good cells from the bad cells so they lose the ability to repair and defend each other.

All eight glyco nutrients are very important to the health and communication between the cells. Since our modern diet is lacking in some of them due to things such as green harvesting and processing, goji juice is the perfect addition to our diet to make sure that our body has all the glyconutrients that it needs to stay healthy. A little bit of goji juice does a lot of good for the body and helps keep all the cells in the body working together correctly.

About The Author

Zach Thompson is a Glyconutrients Representative. His clients range from actresses to pro athletes. Get a free Glyconutrients consultation.