1. Getting organized for a Foods Lab

2. Planning your work When you think ahead and get ready to start work, your food lab will be more enjoyable and will more likely be successful.

3. Choosing a recipe Before deciding on a recipe, read through it carefully. Consider all of the following: Skills: Do you have the skill level for this recipe? Time: Will you have enough time? Food: Does it require extra shopping? Equipment: Do you have the necessary equipment for the recipe?

4. Making a work plan Always look over the recipe before class. Know what your “jobs” will be for the period Are there any pre-preparation tasks that can be done the day before? Washing/cutting vegetables Grating cheese Trimming fat from meat Double checking to make sure all the needed equipment is in your kitchen Develop a work plan that includes all group members and focuses on their special skills.

5. Planning and working efficiently Gather equipment and ingredients first Know how to use the equipment properly Set a timer. Use your workplan Dovetail tasks. Dovetailing is being able to work on multiple steps at once, making it easier to finish on time. Clean as you work.

6. Finishing your lab Make sure the cleaning tasks are rotated through the group. NO ONE is the all time dish washer. Washing dishes: Use hot, sudsy water. You don’t need more than 1 spoonful of soap per lab. For hard to clean pots and pans use an abrasive scrubber or scouring pad. Wash all glassware first, followed by other eating dishes. Save greasy or heavily soiled dishes for last. Never leave wooden utensils in the water. Rinse all dishes with hot or warm water. Dry all dishes with a clean dish towel Put away dishes neatly and where you found them.

7. Teamwork Teamwork is KEY to the success of a Foods Lab Prepare your work plan together for ALL labs. Look over the recipe before assigning tasks to ensure that the lab can be completed on-time. Make sure the work is divided evenly. Try to stick to the work plan. Take responsibility and share the work. If you finish your tasks early, ask your group members if you can help them. DO NOT just take someone’s task from them.

8. Evaluating your lab Ask yourself and/or your group….. Did the work plan go smoothly? Was the lab completed on time? Was the kitchen left clean? Did any unexpected problems arise during the lab? If so, how did you handle them? How might you change the work plan for the next lab?