Are you a foodie and love to cook? Or do you love getting your nails done and wearing long-ass nail extensions? Or are you a fan of both and keep wondering how can you have the best of both worlds? Well, The Nails Girl is here with a one-stop solution to answer all your queries about cooking with long nails. Read on to learn some tips and tricks for chefs and home cooks for working in the kitchen with fake press-on nails.
Chefs or people who love cooking know that manicures and long nails are not something they can comfortably carry while working in the kitchen. From working near the stove to chopping, long nails get stuck in everything. Also, there can be a risk of contaminating the food due to germs or chipped nails.
Even nail polishes are frowned upon in the food service industry as they can chip off and fall into the food. So, it is always assumed that you need to have short and clean nails whenever you are cooking. And of course, hygiene should always be your priority in any work you do. When you are cooking for yourself or someone else, you need to be careful that nothing is ruining the eating experience. You cannot risk lives with your nail polishes and long nails by inviting unwanted problems in your meals.
But with the introduction of chip-resistant gel polishes and strong fake nail enhancements in the manicure industry, there is an opportunity for food preparers to flaunt their long and beautiful nails without having to worry about spoiling the dish. You can carry long and beautiful press-on nails without ruining your manicure in the kitchen but you need to be 100% sure you’re following certain safety measures.
If you are unsure or uncomfortable, avoid wearing long nails or acrylic nail enhancements while cooking. But if you want to, invest in good quality press-on nails and learn some tips and tricks on how to adapt your cooking practices to long claw-like nails.
Why You Must Avoid Cooking with Long Nails?
Of course, medical professionals and researchers advise against wearing nail polishes and long nails altogether while cooking or working in the kitchen. The primary reason for this is to avoid food contamination. This is because grown-out nails are home to so many germs and harmful bacteria which can eventually expose the food consumers to diseases.
Besides long nails, even nail polishes, and jewelry are to be avoided while cooking for the same reason of food contamination. Germs can hide under long nails and nail polishes can chip off and fall in the food ruining it. So ultimately, it is advised that food handlers should keep small and clean hands and fingernails at all times.
Can Chefs Wear Press-On Nails?
When it comes to hygiene, professional food preparers need to avoid contamination due to hair, nails, jewelry, etc. at all times. But there are certain reasons why chefs are not supposed to keep naturally long nails or wear nail polishes or salon nail enhancements:
- Germ buildup under long nails can cause serious food contamination.
- Traditional nail polishes can chip and get mixed with the food while chopping or preparing leading to chemical exposure for the consumer.
- Overuse of nail gels and acrylic nail enhancements in warm and moist environments can cause fungal nail infections which can be unhygienic for food handlers.
- Kneading dough, fine chopping, peeling, etc. can be difficult for chefs and lead to improper results or wasted time.
- Oil, spices, flour, and other fine ingredients can get stuck under long nails and can even get mixed with other dishes causing an unpleasant experience.
- The industry standards count such unhygienic habits as unprofessional and can affect your career negatively.
- False nails, nail gems, and other 3D art are mostly made of plastic and if any of it falls into the food or any kitchen tools, it can be dangerous.
While chefs are assumed to have short and clean nails at all times, it isn’t completely impossible to wear fashion at your fingertips! You can adapt some smart styles to incorporate your love for long nails in your cooking space.
One such go-to solution is press-on nails. The catch is in the shapes and lengths. When choosing to wear press-ons, opt for shorter lengths that aren’t prone to catching dirt and grime underneath. Shorter lengths also provide comfort and safety in handling food and kitchen tools. They are stronger and give a natural feel so you can carry them while working quickly without fumbling.
Besides lengths, it is also important to choose the correct shape of your press-on nails. Avoid sharp and pointy edges or they might prick in dough or get chopped off under sharp knives. Also, pointed and edgy nails can tear or rip off the gloves causing more harm than good. Instead, opt for soft and rounded shapes to avoid stubbing besides giving a stronger grip.
If in case you are wearing long press-on nails, it’s a must to wear gloves at all times in the kitchen especially while cooking or working with food. This is true for both chefs and home cooks to avoid food contamination. Choose to keep your fingernails covered with latex gloves having a cotton lining while cooking or cleaning the kitchen surfaces or utensils.
Make sure your regulatory authorities allow press-on nails in the food preparation area and ensure you wear single-use gloves to protect your nails and the food. It is better to wear press-on nails rather than traditional nail polishes as they do not chip and fall in the food.
Not just the food or the kitchen but your nails are also at stake when you are working in warm and moist areas for long hours. If you are not using the right glue in the right amount or not following the safety measures, you may cause your press-on nails to fall off and they may not last as long as they should. Also, choosing smart shapes and lengths for your press-ons and keeping them covered in gloves helps retain the application. Gloves protect them not only from the heat of gas stoves and microwaves but also provide safety against water and harmful chemicals while doing the dishes or cleaning the kitchen surfaces.
Even the FDA Food Code also recommends that food employees keep their fingernails trimmed, filed, and maintained so the edges and surfaces are clean and not rough.
The Final Word
Cooking with long nails can be a delightful experience if you take the right precautions. Through our exploration, we’ve uncovered the truth: press-on nails can indeed be your kitchen companions. With press-ons, you can showcase your culinary skills without worrying about hygiene or safety. By following our tips, you can ensure that your long nails remain intact and stylish while you whip up delicious meals in the kitchen. So, next time you’re in the mood to cook, don’t let your long nails hold you back—embrace them and create culinary masterpieces with confidence!
