Chapter 12 Recipes and Work Plans
245
2. Use the recipes to identify preparation tasks
that will need to be done as you make each
menu item. Remember these tasks may appear
in the ingredient list as well as in the recipe
directions. For instance, a recipe might call for
½ cup chopped onions or 2 strips fried bacon.
List estimates in the chart for the time required
to prepare, cook, and serve each food. (Some
recipes give estimated preparation and cooking
times, which will help you with this step.)
3. Add the total time required to prepare each item
and list these totals in the chart.
4. In the last column, rank menu items in order of
total time. The item ranked number 1 should be
the food requiring the most time. This step will
help you decide which menu items to prepare
fi rst.
Making a Schedule
Use the completed food preparation time chart to help
plan the actual time-work schedule. The fi rst decision to
make when writing a time-work schedule is what time
you want to begin eating the meal. Think about your daily
activities and the activities of other diners when making
this decision. Allow enough time to prepare the meal so
you will not feel rushed. Allow other diners enough time
to come to the meal leisurely. You may want to plan the
serving time at least 15 minutes after a guest’s intended
arrival time. This will allow a time cushion for any unex-
pected delays.
Once you have decided when to begin eating the meal, the following steps will help
you write the time-work schedule:
1. Set up a chart like the one in 12-9. Write the time you plan to begin eating at
the bottom of the time column.
2. Look at the serving time column of the food preparation time chart. Work
backward from the eating time to determine when to begin serving.
Photograph provided courtesy of the California Strawberry Commission. ©2010
California Strawberry Commission. All rights reserved.
12-7 You can prepare and serve this nutritious
breakfast in just 15 minutes.
12-8 Charts showing preparation, cooking, and serving times for each menu item can
help meal managers plan their work.
Food Preparation Time Chart
Menu Item Preparation
Time
Cooking
Time
Serving
Time
Total Time Rank
Strawberry
breakfast
sandwich
7 minutes 2 minutes 2 minutes 11 minutes 1
Milk — — 1 minute 1 minute 3
Table setting 3 minutes — — 3 minutes 2