Markham firefighters, local chefs join forces to serve up fire safety in the kitchen

Chefs from Essence of Unionville, Aroma Espresso Bar and Babu Catering share favourite recipes, safety tips for home cooks as part of Fire Prevention Week

Yorekregion.com
October 21, 2020

Whether you are learning to cook or you are an experienced chef, the first thing to know is how to prevent a fire.

In honour of this year's Fire Prevention Week, Markham Fire and Emergency Services (MFES) partnered with some of the city’s most popular local restaurants to help serve up fire safety in the kitchen.

Get a tasty dish and a useful fire safety tip at the same time as you try your hand at one of many amazing recipes featured at some of Markham’s favourite eateries in your own kitchen -- while cooking safely, of course.

“Great cooks are safe cooks,” said Markham Fire and Emergency Services acting fire chief Adam Grant, adding cooking mishaps are the leading cause of home fires in Markham.

"Almost half of reported home fires start in the kitchen," Grant said.

"To help us serve up fire safety in the kitchen, professional cooks from familiar Markham restaurants will share their recipes so home cooks can recreate some of their favourite dishes as they practice fire safety."

That includes Essence of Unionville, Aroma Espresso Bar and Babu Catering.

Milliken Restaurant and Bamiyan Kabob are also on board.

The best and easiest way Dum Pukht Food Legacy of India restaurant serves up fire safety in its kitchen is by keeping it clean, restaurant director Chandan Gulati said.

“If cooking fat and grease residue build up, it can catch fire fast, and we prevent that. We keep our restaurant and cooking surfaces clean, and regularly clean and service our kitchen exhaust system. This way we all enjoy the finest Indian dishes and keep everyone safe.”

MFES believes the best way to keep residents and businesses safe from fire is to help them understand the common risks and reduce them.

So, how can you rustle up dinner or a snack and stay fire safe?

Try not to leave cooking food unattended on the stovetop. If you must leave the kitchen, turn off the heat.

Not feeling 100 per cent? Order takeout. If you’re tired, have been drinking alcohol or are taking medication that makes you drowsy, it’s safer not to risk it.

Try to keep the oven, stovetop and kitchen hood clean. Built up fat and grease can ignite and cause a fire.

Have a kid-free zone or at least three feet (one metre) of space around the stove and areas where hot food or drinks are prepared or carried.

Double-check the stovetop and oven are turned off when you have finished cooking.

As if delectable restaurant recipes weren't enough to support 2020 Fire Prevention Week efforts, MFES is holding a contest through the Your Voice Markham site until Oct. 26.

To enter, take a photo or a short video clip of you and/or your family cooking in the kitchen and share a kitchen fire safety tip. If you are not already registered on the site, simply create a free account.

All entrants will be automatically entered, and 20 winners will be selected by random draw at a later date.

Prizes include a MFES Swag Bag and $25 restaurant gift card.

Find more kitchen fire safety tips on the www.YourVoiceMarkham.ca/FirePrevention web page.