What is the first step in cleaning and sanitizing utensils?

The correct answer is washing utensils with soap and hot water as the first step in cleaning and sanitizing. This initial step is crucial because it removes food residues, grease, and dirt that can harbor bacteria and other pathogens. By using soap and hot water, you effectively break down and lift away contaminants from the surfaces of the utensils, making them easier to sanitize afterward.

Once the utensils are washed and rinsed, they can then be sanitized, often using a bleach solution or another sanitizing method to eliminate any remaining microorganisms. It's important to remember that if utensils are not cleaned of debris first, sanitizing agents cannot work effectively since they need a clean surface to act upon.

The other options reflect later steps in the cleaning and sanitizing process: drying the utensils is necessary after they've been cleaned and sanitized to prevent any potential contamination that can occur from exposure to unclean surfaces or air; soaking in bleach solution is typically a subsequent step in sanitizing, not the initial cleaning; and storing utensils properly comes after they have been cleaned and sanitized, ensuring that they remain in a safe and hygienic state until needed.