Clean as You Go: How Can We Clean and Cook Like a Pro

Cooking doesn’t have to leave your kitchen in chaos! By mastering the art of “Clean as You Go,” you can tackle all the cleaning and cooking challenges efficiently. This simple yet transformative habit keeps your kitchen spotless while you create culinary masterpieces. Let’s dive into the 7 steps to achieve a clean kitchen system that works.

What does Clean as You Go Mean?

“Clean as You Go” is a proactive approach to cooking. It means cleaning your kitchen space and tools as you prepare food. The cleaning process is integrated into your cooking routine, ensuring a clean, safe, and organized environment. 

This is a standard in the food industry and all restaurants. I remember when I was working at Lupa, behind the line as a line chef, our Executive chef would have constant “line checks” to peruse our station and do a “quality check” on our ingredients. If he didn’t like something, it was thrown away. Don’t worry; I’m not going to check your station and throw items away, but I will help you confidently maintain a clean and orderly kitchen, just as I had to learn. 

Wondering how can we clean while cooking? Follow this guide to balance all the cleaning and cooking with ease.

Benefits of a Clean Kitchen System

A clean kitchen system isn’t just about appearances—it’s about safety, efficiency, and enjoying the cooking process. This approach ensures that you can focus on creating your best meals while protecting yourself and your guests. Here’s why implementing this system is so important:

• Prevents injuries and cross-contamination: By maintaining a tidy space, you reduce the risk of accidents and the spread of bacteria while cooking.
• Promotes organization: Stay focused and efficient as you juggle all the cleaning and cooking tasks.
• Improves food safety: Protect yourself and those you’re feeding by adhering to proper hygiene standards.
• Reduces stress: With less mess, you’ll have more time to enjoy cooking and spending quality moments with your guests instead of facing a mountain of dishes post-dinner.

By learning and maintaining this system, you set yourself up to be the best chef possible, crafting meals in an environment that supports your creativity and success.

Step 1: Start Fresh  

A clean kitchen is the foundation of successful cooking and entertaining. It may sound simple, but starting with a clean, clutter-free space makes all the difference. The last thing you want is to create extra work for yourself when preparing a meal or hosting guests. Follow these essential steps to ensure your kitchen is ready to go:

• Empty the dishwasher: Put away all clean dishes to free up space for any washing you’ll need during cooking.
• Clear and sanitize the sink: Start with an empty, clean sink so it’s ready for washing utensils, pots, or other tools as you cook.
• Put away drying items: Store any hand-washed pots, pans, or utensils that were left out to dry.
• Wipe down countertops: Clean and declutter your workspace to create an organized area for prep and cooking.

Starting with a clean slate sets the tone for an organized and stress-free experience in the kitchen. You’ll feel more confident and prepared, ready to focus on your recipes and create delicious meals with ease!

Step 2: Personal Hygiene

A clean chef equals a good chef! To create the best possible product, you must be in the proper form for cooking and serving. Maintaining hygiene is not just about appearance—it directly impacts the quality and safety of the food you prepare. Follow these steps to ensure you’re ready to cook confidently:

• Wash your hands thoroughly: Always wash your hands before handling food to prevent contamination.
• Tie back long hair: Keep hair away from food and work surfaces to maintain hygiene.
• Wear closed-toed shoes: Protect your feet from spills, dropped tools, or sharp objects.Put on a clean apron: A clean apron or fresh clothes will protect your outfit and present a professional image.
• Keep a side towel at your station: Always have a clean towel handy to wipe your hands, tools, and work surfaces as needed.

By prioritizing personal hygiene, you’ll ensure that every dish you prepare meets the highest cleanliness and safety standards, allowing you to deliver meals with confidence and care.

Step 3: Set Up Your Workstation

It is essential to have a well-equipped, organized, and clean workstation before you start the cooking process. This way, you will have everything you need to cook your best meal while managing to clean as you go.

Here’s how to set up your workstation:

• Secure your cutting board: Place a damp paper towel or kitchen towel underneath to keep it stable.
• Arrange your tools: Have a chef knife, a paring knife, and a clean kitchen towel on one side of the cutting board.
• Use a vessel for utensils: Place a vessel (such as a mason jar, cup, or any upright container) in front of your cutting board filled with essential tools like a wooden spoon, rubber spatula, tongs, large metal spoon, and whisk. Chefs call this setup a bain marie, but any upright container will work.
• Prepare tasting tools: Keep a tasting spoon next to your board for quick sampling.
• Organize bowls: Have a set of stainless steel or glass bowls accessible for mixing and prep. Place one bowl in front of your workstation for waste and scraps to maintain cleanliness and efficiency.

By creating a functional workstation, you’ll streamline your cooking process and stay organized, resulting in less stress and better meals!

Step 4: Gather Ingredients and Tools

When tackling a meal, your brain can often get lost in the details, especially when managing multiple recipes or entertaining guests. For this reason, preparation is essential to efficiently balance all the cleaning and cooking.

Here’s your pre-cooking checklist:

• Read recipes thoroughly: Avoid surprises by reviewing the entire recipe before you begin, ensuring you have all the necessary ingredients and equipment.
• Gather ingredients and tools: Set aside everything you’ll need for cooking to stay organized and focused.
• Choose your serving vessels: Select and arrange serving dishes and implements before you cook. Trust me, this will save you a lot of headaches and provide clarity when preparing multiple recipes.
• Set your table in advance: Most people overlook this step until it’s too late. When food is hot and ready, it should be served immediately. You don’t want to interrupt your “flow” or keep your guests waiting while you scramble to set the table.

By following these steps, you’ll streamline your process, reduce stress, and be ready to serve your best meal with confidence.

Step 5: Create a Prep List

If you want to clean and cook efficiently, a prep list is your ultimate roadmap. Whether making one recipe or juggling multiple dishes for a dinner party, preparation is the key to success in cooking. Trust me—this will allow your brain to absorb “the whole picture” and keep everything on track.

Here’s how to create a prep list:

• Write down your entire menu: List every dish you plan to prepare.
• Assess tasks that can be done beforehand: Identify non-time-sensitive tasks like making salad dressings, toasting nuts, or baking a pie.
• Determine tasks that need to be done closer to serving time: For example, warming pasta, grilling steak, or baking salmon.
• Assess the timing for each step: Work backward from when you want to serve the meal. Calculate the time required for entrees, sides, and appetizers and adjust accordingly.
• Plan your “attack”: Use your prep list as a visual guide to streamline your workflow and avoid feeling overwhelmed.

Every professional chef relies on a prep list to create a seamless cooking experience—and so should you! This process will help you stay organized and ensure that every dish is served at its best.

Step 6: Clean as You Go During Cooking

A clean chef is a good chef! Maintaining a tidy workstation throughout the cooking process helps reduce stress and makes cleanup easier. Avoid kitchen chaos by following these steps:

• Wash and reuse tools: Instead of grabbing new utensils for every step, clean and reuse items like bowls, spatulas, and measuring cups. For example, if you use a bowl for making vinaigrette, wash it and reuse it for whipping cream later. It’s efficient and smart.
• Wipe as you go: Regularly wipe down countertops and cutting boards between tasks to keep your space organized and free of debris.
• Create a bain-marie or use your sink for rinsing: Line chefs often use a bain-marie filled with sanitized water to rinse tools like spoons, tongs, and whisks after each use. You can create a similar setup at home or use your sink for quick rinsing.
• Stay organized: Place cleaned items back in their designated spots to maintain a functional and tidy cooking station.

By adopting the “clean as you go” mindset, you’ll save time, minimize clutter, and ensure that both you and your kitchen are ready for the next culinary masterpiece!

Step 7: Final Clean-Up and Serving Space

The final clean-up is often overlooked but is one of the most important steps. This is where you get to showcase the food you’ve worked so hard to prepare! Follow these steps to ensure your presentation shines:

• Clear the area: Remove all dirty dishes, tools, and clutter from your serving space. Place these items in the sink, dishwasher, or on a back counter to create a clean, open area.
• Allow space for plating: Make sure you have ample room to plate and showcase your dishes. This helps you stay focused and gives your food the attention it deserves.
• Take your time with plating: Carefully slice, garnish, and plate your dishes to match your vision. This is your opportunity to highlight the effort and creativity you’ve put into your meal.
• Separate prep from presentation: Keep dirtied items away from your final presentation to maintain a polished and professional look.

A clean serving space enhances your presentation and gives you the freedom to enjoy the moment and celebrate your culinary achievements!