246
Part 2 The Management of Food
3. Look at the cooking time column of the food preparation time chart. Identify
the time at which you should begin cooking each item.
4. Use recipes to help list all the preparation tasks needed to be done. Refer to
the preparation time column of the food preparation time chart. It will help you
decide how much time to allow for these tasks.
To keep the schedule fl exible, avoid listing specifi c times for every task. Instead,
group tasks in 5- or 10-minute blocks of time. Plan to do related tasks together. For
instance, you can wash the lemon at the same time you are washing the strawberries.
Remember to dovetail your meal preparation tasks as you plan the schedule.
Dovetail means to overlap tasks to use time more effi ciently. You can often dovetail
during cooking time. For example, while the English muffi ns are toasting, you can set
the table.
Another point to keep in mind is you do not have to prepare food items ranked
number 1 fi rst. Sometimes it is helpful to get simple tasks, such as setting the table,
out of the way. You may also want to prepare foods that do not need to be served hot
ahead of time. This will prevent hot foods from cooling while you prepare other menu
items.
Even a complete schedule is no guarantee that plans will go smoothly from start
to fi nish. Sometimes one dish might cook in more or less time than you estimated. In
these cases, you might have to keep some foods warm while you fi nish preparing the
other foods.
As you become more skilled in the kitchen, you will be able to use less detailed
schedules. Until that time, however, a schedule that is both detailed and fl exible will be
helpful.
Cooperation in the Kitchen
You will not always work alone in the kitchen. At home, family members may help
you prepare meals. At school, you will work with classmates to prepare food products.
If you work in a professional kitchen, you will have coworkers attending to a variety of
tasks. The kitchen can become a chaotic place when several people are in it at the
same time. To work effectively, each person will have to do his or her part as a member
of a team.
Teams work best when one person takes a leadership role. In the kitchen, this
person may be called a meal manager, head chef, or simply a group leader. No matter
what this person is called, he or she will be in charge of assigning meal preparation
12-9 A time-work schedule lists actual times for doing specifi c food preparation tasks.
Time-Work Schedule
Time Tasks
7:45 Set table. Split and toast English muffi ns.
7:50 Wash strawberries and lemon. Hull and slice strawberries.
7:55 Grate lemon zest. Combine low-fat cream cheese, honey, and lemon zest in
food processor. Process until well mixed.
7:57 Spread cheese mixture on toasted English muffi n halves. Top with sliced
strawberries. Pour milk.
8:00 Eat.