England – This research just in from the Brits; 10 percent of their population – six million people – have had a kitchen accident trying to copy a celebrity chef.
No wonder real chefs are made of iron!
A United Kingdom insurance company (Esure Home Insurance) took a poll that showed that although 73 percent of the respondents described themselves as “amateur,” “novice,” or downright “useless” in the kitchen, that didn’t dissuade 75 percent of them from attempting a complex culinary technique, risking injury to themselves, to others, to their pets, and to their homes (I made up the pets part).
Damage estimates were in the $9 billion range! Makes the Bush Bailout look appetizing by comparison.
Numerous hazards were sighted from fast chopping to deep frying, but the chart toppers were creme brulees and roasted peppers. The prime culprit? Industrial strength blow torches.
A large percentage of injuries seem to be related to budding gourmets attempting complex culinary techniques in “real time,” dashing between the cooking show on TV in the other room and the kitchen. Slippery when wet!
And these “recipes for disaster” afflict women and men in nearly equal proportions with 83 percent of men and 87 percent of women, who although they claim “no cooking experience,” still fearlessly attempt these gourmet acrobatics.
Source: A “Front Burner” story by Julie Mautner for Food Arts Magazine, October 2008
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