I never consume food in homes where the cats are allowed to run riot all over the kitchen counters either!
So that's nowhere with a cat then? 
Though there is someone on MN who says her cat doesn't do it. I can't remember her name but I've no reason to disbelieve her. I had a cat who didn't steal or pester for food. Even if you left him alone with a cooked chicken he'd wait to be given some. No one believed me, though. It was very unusual and we didn't tempt him too often. But a couple of times we forgot and that's how we realised.
The cat I have now climbs on kitchen surfaces but funnily enough, not when I'm preparing food. It's because he wants to be on a level with me and chat - he's very vocal and friendly.
He doesn't pester either. He doesn't seem interested in my food. I used to throw him things but stopped because he ignored them except for mackerel and chicken.
I don't leave chopping boards, plates or cutlery where he can touch them and I always clean surfaces before preparing food. But then you'd do that anyway, wouldn't you? Maybe some people wouldn't, whether they had marauding cats or not.
I understand what you mean though. I wouldn't like a dog on a sofa in a cafe because not for hygiene but because I don't like hairs on my clothes.
I don't appreciate humans putting their feet on seats or standing alongside me in waxed jackets on public transport either.
My cat is banned from my bedroom and where I keep my clothes and I get changed when I come in.
Wouldn't mind a quiet dog under a table at all though. I'm sure I've eaten in far worse health hazards without even realising.
Sorry, I keep doing long, self-indulgent rambles about my fascinating life lately