Anne Burrell and Rachael Ray shared their experiences of continuing to cook despite the risks of getting burned or cut in the kitchen. In an episode of Ray's podcast, "I'll Sleep When I'm Dead", they opened up about their strategies and the challenges they face as tough women in the culinary world.

"Cooking Unstoppable: How Anne and Rachael Handle Kitchen Injuries"

Dealing with Kitchen Accidents

Anne Burrell revealed that if she gets cut, she simply "wraps it up in plastic wrap" and leaves it for later. She emphasized the importance of pushing through and getting the job done, regardless of the pain. Rachael Ray echoed this sentiment, stating that it's about service and getting the food out.When things like burns or cuts happen, they don't even think about it in the moment. It's all about focusing on the task at hand and ensuring the food survives. Burrell added that years of handling "hot stuff" in the kitchen has left her with asbestos hands and fingers, making her less sensitive to heat.

The Motivation to Keep Cooking

When asked where she gets the motivation to continue cooking even through injuries, Burrell traced it back to her childhood. She loved the idea of hospitality and providing joy, seeing herself as a "professional pleasure provider". Her mother might not have liked her way of putting it, but she firmly believes that's in a chef's DNA.Ray agreed, saying that giving pleasure to others is what chefs do. It's not just about being tough and strong, but also about the joy of sharing food and making others happy.

Maintaining Femininity in the Kitchen

Burrell also discussed how she maintains her femininity while being a tough chef. She said wearing skirts in the kitchen is a way to do that, to show that she can be both a badass and a woman.She believes that women should be allowed to be all these things at once - tough, nice, and feminine. It's not a novel concept, but it's something that needs to be embraced.In conclusion, Anne Burrell and Rachael Ray's stories show that being a chef means pushing through injuries and maintaining one's identity. They inspire others to keep cooking and sharing joy through food.