We all have our hills to die on in the kitchen. Should we rinse meat? (Never.) What's the perfect ratio for water and rice in an Instant Pot? (I have yet to figure it out.) Is it possible to use too much garlic? (Rarely.) But what do trained chefs do when they cook? Food Network asked Bobby Flay for his thoughts on common cooking questions and he came back with some surprising answers.

Do you put oil in your boiling water when making pasta?

"I do not," Bobby says.

Some cooks add oil to boiling water because it keeps pasta from sticking together. On the other hand, it also prevents sauce from clinging to the pasta. Instead, add salt to your pasta water and then include some of the starchy pasta water in your sauce to help it cling to the noodles.

Do you wash your chicken?

"I wash my chicken before I cook it," Bobby confirms.

The issue with washing chicken and other raw meat before cooking is that accidentally splashing the water can cross-contaminate your kitchen surfaces and raise the risk for foodborne illness. If you're planning to rinse your meat, be sure to take proper precautions to keep from spreading germs.

Is pre-minced garlic ever OK?

"Pre-minced garlic is never OK," Bobby insists.

Yes, garlic comes in a jar (jarlic, anybody?), but it's so easy to peel and mince garlic at home with a garlic press. Fresh garlic smells divine while cooking in a way that pre-minced garlic doesn't.

Is it OK to wash your cast-iron skillet with soap?

"Soap? I don't wash it with soap, no," he says. "If I need to wash it out, I just make sure that it's bone dry."

How do you feel about animals in the kitchen?

"Animals in the kitchen? Cats only," asserts Bobby, who is a cat guy.

Water, milk or something else in scrambled eggs?

"Creme fraiche," Bobby says. Creme fraiche is a thick, cultured cream that's akin to a mix between sour cream and Greek yogurt.

Do you wash your rice or not?

"I do not," Bobby says. Washing rice can rinse away the starches that help it stick together once it's cooked.

Is it sacrilegious to break pasta or noodles?

"Yes," he says. Leave the spaghetti alone!

If you could have any Food Network chef cook for you, who would you want it to be?

"I want Geoffrey Zakarian to cook the entree," Bobby says. "He’s a great chef."