Kitchen staff cooking up a sweat in the heatwave

John Leedham looks into camera. He wears a black shirt and Yankees cap and stands in a kitchen area with containers, bottles, and utensils on the counter. A fridge with jars and flowers sits beside a neon sign and a red lantern hangs from the ceiling.Image source, BBC / Josh Gorroño Chapman
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John Leedham says this is one of the hottest periods in the three years he has worked at the restaurant

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As the UK swelters through another summer heatwave, Josh Gorroño Chapman spoke to kitchen staff feeling the burn as conditions push temperatures - and tempers - to the limit.

"Just remember, we're hot too," says John Leedham at Salt and Pepper Club in Hull's Paragon Arcade.

"We hear it all day," he explains. "Customers will come in and they'll go upstairs and they're like, 'Ah, it's too hot in here.'

"And it's like, yeah, but I'm working in here. I know it's hot too. We don't need reminding it's hot."

The restaurant manager is one of many workers across the city trying their best to stay cool while making food.

"We just try and get as much ventilation through as we can but, other than that, there's not much we can do."

"It's just one of those things," he explains, "but it can get unbearable sometimes."

Ryan Albano smiles into camera in a black chef's uniform. He has dark hair and black glasses and is standing in a commercial kitchen surrounded by cooking utensils and ingredients.Image source, BBC / Josh Gorroño Chapman
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Ryan Albano says he is trying his best to "push through"

Ryan Albano, head chef at Chinese Whispers over on Humber Street, would seem to agree.

"We keep popping outside from time to time to get that fresh air," he sighs.

The kitchen is a hive of activity as they prepare for the lunchtime rush.

While a new sous chef makes fresh noodles, Ryan chops onions and tomatoes.

Gesturing to the extractor fans, he explains that, when they have lots of orders on the go, it can get very warm indeed.

"These cannot take it, so we have to leave that door open just to get that breeze."

Ryan shares some advice for customers.

"Just come with the thinnest layers that you've got," he laughs.

"The food's good, but it's gonna be hot."

Rachel Stainton stands behind a counter in a food service area with drinks cans and other items on display. She is smiling, has blonde hair and wears glasses. Kitchen equipment and wall signs are visible in the background.Image source, BBC / Josh Gorroño Chapman
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Rachel Stainton says the warm weather is good for business

Rachel Stainton from Boss Burrito in Hull's Trinity Market calls for patience.

"It is hot, it is busy, so try not to get cranky if we take a little bit longer than normal, but generally we're working at the same speed.

"We might just stop to have more water than normal."

As she chats to me, building birria burritos, I can feel the heat from the grills that are permanently on. But Ms Stainton still manages to stay positive.

"It's not too bad. We've got the doors open. There's a nice breeze," she smiles. "It's warm whatever the weather in a kitchen."

"I'm a summer person. I hate the winter. Bring on the heatwave."

Temperatures are expected to cool to about 20C next week, but, until then, it's doors open, extractor fans on, and snatched breaths of fresh air for the workers cooking through this latest scorching spell.

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