Paula Deen keeps her rings on because she told Michael she could always get them dirty and cleaned back up but she couldn't do anything if they fell in the trash or disposal. She said he told her he'd rather her keep them on.
I don't take my rings off for anything either and they clean up real nicely.
I can't stand when I see them sweat and it drips...that is just too gross. Sometimes the judges make comments on the "double dipping" but it sure seems like it happens a lot of times. They must have a jumbo supply of tasting spoons where we can't see them.