Note: This was originally posted on April 29, 2010. Due to the website going down with technical issues the April/May posts were deleted from the database. In the interest of maintaining the original content of the site I’m now re-posting.
As a chef it’s always embarrassing to be wearing an adhesive bandage…especially when you’re the one teaching knife skills! People usually assume I have some really exciting story to tell, like how I narrowly missed cutting off two fingers with my chef’s knife. The answer (fortunately for me…unfortunately for their morbid sense of excitement) is usually much less suspenseful: “nah…just cut it on the edge of a can” or “accidently scraped my hand on a rough surface”
By the time we get to the knife skills portion of class, guests suddenly have that “aha moment” where the light bulb above their head lights up and in unison they say “So that’s why we signed the waiver!” That’s right…you got it! By their very name accidents are…well, accidental!
Today it was a tart baking class where we didn’t even use chef’s knives. I’ve always wished that I could juggle but really haven’t had the occasion to learn, much less practice. My sub-conscience chose to challenge that notion. I can’t even quite explain how it happened…I think it was while pulling the large blade from the food processor I somehow ended up in an impromptu blade juggling display and before I could ‘process’ what was going on…cut my finger.
It wasn’t a bad cut…just a minor flesh wound. Nonetheless it’s still a pain (not to mention no fun when juicing lemons).
Can they Cut it?
Most adhesive bandages fail miserably unable to “cut it” in the kitchen, staying on for 30 minutes or so if you’re lucky.
Just a little flesh wound.
My preferred type are the Nexcare brand WATERPROOF from 3m. I first discovered them through our administrative assistant at Disney Institute culinary programs who purchased them for our use there. That was over 10 years ago and I’ve been using them ever since! Why? Because they STICK! As long as your skin is dry and grease-free they REALLY STICK. In fact there have been times where I needed to remove them and almost found it impossible…even after a full day of hand-washing and pot scrubbing. An added bonus is that they are clear, so outside of the central pad, they rest of it is rather inconspicuous….perfect for avoiding questions on how you actually cut yourself!
I'm Stuck on Nexcare Waterproof bandages because they REALLY STICK ON ME!
So…the next time you’re shopping, pick up a box of the Nexcare brand waterproof bandages so you’re ready for this season’s “America’s Got Talent (and a few less fingers)”