Restaurant Clean Maitre’d Helps Us Stay Safe While Dining

Thank you Restaurant Clean Maitre’d for sponsoring this post. As always all thoughts and opinions remain my own. This post is meant to inform and answer popular questions. Please consult your medical provider for any specific questions.

Life has changed a lot over the last few months.  We’ve all had to adjust and change our normal way of life for something that changes sometimes by the day.  I don’t know about you but sometimes all of the information thrown at us can be overwhelming.  This is why I was so excited to partner with Maureen (a longtime 614 Mom) to answer a lot of frequently asked questions about staying safe through COVID-19. 

The questions I asked her are questions that I got directly from 614 Mom readers. I did a few day’s worth of polls and put together the most frequently asked questions for this blog post. If you have more questions leave them in the comments and I’ll be sure to ask Maureen.  You can also connect with her directly on Instagram.

Meet Maureen

Maureen Jacobs Has over 14 years of industry experience. Her start in the Packaging Industry helped her understand Food Processors and the importance of HACCP Certification. Her Facilities Supply experience helped end-users from Airports to Universities develop custom products that best fit their programs.

Restaurant Clean Maitre’d is the result of what she learned and the guidance she provided.

10 Important Questions on Staying Safe During COVID-19 with Restaurant Clean Maitre’d

Question: What should a restaurant be doing to protect customers and staff?

Answer: 1st - Document and survey each employee with several questions. Before they enter the restaurant ask each employee if they are feeling any COVID symptoms.

2nd - Ask the same employee have they been associated or been at a place where there has been an outbreak or around an individual who experienced symptoms. 

3rd - Temperature checks daily and document. 

4th - Throughout the day have employees continuously wash hands and wear a mask covering both their nose and mouth

5th - Do your best with group scheduling the same employees best you can 

6th - Have employees clean and sanitize each table after every use with proper EPA registered sanitizers. Seventh, ensure proper spacing between each diner
Lastly, provide proper hand soap and paper towels for staff and guests 

Question: Are patios really safer? 

Answer: The distance between each person is what’s important whether inside or out. If they sneeze or cough these particles can travel. There is no difference.

Question: What are some common mistakes you’re seeing businesses make while trying to do the right thing?

Purchasing non-compliant hand sanitizers and disinfectants. Not focusing on cleaning first...remember every living thing needs food, water and has waste. Cleaning is paramount to reduce any pathogen. 

Question: 614 Mom readers have expressed concern about proper sanitation between customers.  What should they look for or ask for when they sit down if they want to go out to eat in a restaurant?

Answer: Have they properly sanitized with a “food grade EPA registered sanitizer”? Disinfectants are not approved for dining surfaces as this is higher level chemistry and not safe for food. This is where food sanitizers come into play. As your server “Has this entire area been sanitized?”

Question: Are there any restaurants that you feel are really doing an excellent job at keeping their restaurants properly cleaned and cared for?

Answer: Overall, I’ve seen a higher level of importance with food sanitation, cleanliness, and employee training. Restaurant Clean Maitre’d not only provides cleaning service we also request a 30-minute food safety training and seminar with the staff and provide a certificate of recognition. 

This ensures that at least everyone has some safe direction.

Question: I think one of the common themes here is that people are doing what they feel is safer to limit risk. In your expert opinion, what is actually the safest way to dine in a restaurant?

Ensure all employees are wearing masks. Ensure the table is properly sanitized before you are seated. Minimize visits to restrooms. Ensure that the diner closest to you is further than 6’

Question: When polled hundreds of moms said they just really miss taking their kids out somewhere fun.  How can we take our families out safely? What should we bring with us, ask for from businesses, and just overall limit risk?

I would minimize activities that involve group settings. The majority of the carriers of this virus are the younger population. The concern more is for the middle to upper age population. You cannot ensure others wash hands or force others to wear a mask but if we all do our part with just these two guidelines it would reduce the transmission of this virus tremendously. 

Clean wipes are something I would take with me (keep in mind you cannot bring in your own cleaner and disinfectant as they may not be compliant for food establishments)

Question: I know we’re not here to talk about schools but, outside of restaurants, that was one of the biggest topics during the recent poll of 614 Moms. Do you have any thoughts on how to safely reopen schools? Or what parents/teachers can do to help minimize the risk?  

The school systems need to educate their faculty and staff. The majority of their decisions are based on budgets and feasibility. School systems need to recognize that they are providing a safe place and an education first. Regardless of what’s necessary to be done, they need to think of the students first. All you can do is educate your child or student to do the right thing and wash their hands, cover their mouths, limit-sharing and inform teacher or faculty that they are feeling ill immediately 

Question from a teacher: How can I keep my classroom clean and safe during this? 
Instruct each student to cover their mouths when they cough or sneeze. Request that they wash their hands as often as possible. Wipe clean desks and all touch surfaces after each session/class activity.

Question: What else would you like everyone to know about Restaurant Clean Maitre’d?  

Restaurant Clean Maitre’d is a company owned by hands-on HACCP Certified, Servsafe Certified individuals that use products with certification from Green Building Council, EPA Registered Products, and utilizes customized procedures cards for each and every restaurant we work with. We also provide in-service training with how to clean, properly sanitize, and disinfectant for each customer at no cost. Please look or ask for us where you dine

Restaurant Clean Maitre’d is a contract cleaning service that focuses primarily on restaurants, bars, and clubs. Our mission is to provide peace of mind to your customers in restaurants as they dine and to your staff as they work. Using EPA-approved products, we provide a clean environment for guests and a healthy workplace for employees.

Our original idea was to target and clean restrooms, but we realized that a sense of comfort comes from knowing the entire restaurant has been cleaned properly. During the recent COVID-19 breakout, we’ve made sure to use products that are EPA-registered SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 disinfectants in order to keep employees and customers safe.

As the restaurant diners ourselves, we understand the importance cleanliness that has on an experience at a restaurant. It really can make or break the experience and determine if we dine there again. For us, cleanliness is the top priority to improve customer satisfaction. We even give our Clean Seal of Approval to restaurants we’ve cleaned because we know it’s been done right. Look for it.