Celebrating Chefs Nationwide
July 20, 2023 | By
We’re honoring Culinary Arts Month with NEW school food training videos from Chef Brandy!
Creating an Assembly Line
School food operators can efficiently utilize their time and available space by using the assembly line method. After laying out fresh ingredients on an open table space, teams are ready to prepare several items in the same amount of time as making only a few!
This method is especially useful when preparing a large quantity of a buildable item, such as a sandwich. Our latest videos touch on the importance of forming an assembly line in a production kitchen and give tips on how to prepare flavorful sandwiches that students will enjoy. Our delicious Ham & Cheese Croissant Sandwiches are not only easy to assemble but are a great choice for school food teams looking to elevate their breakfast menu. Bonus: they can be served as a lunch item, too! For teams looking for delectable, plant-forward lunch options, we recommend trying out our recipes for Grilled Cheese Sandwiches and Veggie & Hummus Wraps. After getting accustomed to the assembly line method, these recipes are easy to customize with fresh, seasonal ingredients!
Creating an Assembly Line
School food operators can efficiently utilize their time and available space by using the assembly line method. After laying out fresh ingredients on an open table space, teams are ready to prepare several items in the same amount of time as making only a few!
This method is especially useful when preparing a large quantity of a buildable item, such as a sandwich. Our latest videos touch on the importance of forming an assembly line in a production kitchen and give tips on how to prepare flavorful sandwiches that students will enjoy. Our delicious Ham & Cheese Croissant Sandwiches are not only easy to assemble but are a great choice for school food teams looking to elevate their breakfast menu. Bonus: they can be served as a lunch item, too! For teams looking for delectable, plant-forward lunch options, we recommend trying out our recipes for Grilled Cheese Sandwiches and Veggie & Hummus Wraps. After getting accustomed to the assembly line method, these recipes are easy to customize with fresh, seasonal ingredients!
Utilizing a Kitchen Scale
Kitchen scales are important to have in any successful K-12 production kitchen, as they are a key component for accurate portioning and costing of ingredients. Our Chicken Tacos video demonstrates several functions related to using a scale, including measuring and taring accurate pan weight and equating weight to the number of servings included in each batch of ingredients. By following these directions, school food teams will be able to accurately measure the number of servings available in each pan and serve a delicious, protein-packed meal to their students.
Utilizing a Kitchen Scale
Kitchen scales are important to have in any successful K-12 production kitchen, as they are a key component for accurate portioning and costing of ingredients. Our Chicken Tacos video demonstrates several functions related to using a scale, including measuring and taring accurate pan weight and equating weight to the number of servings included in each batch of ingredients. By following these directions, school food teams will be able to accurately measure the number of servings available in each pan and serve a delicious, protein-packed meal to their students.
Oven Baking & Roasting
Knowing how to properly use different types of large kitchen equipment, including mixers, combi ovens, and convection ovens, can open the door for even more scratch cook recipes. In our videos for our French Toast Casserole, Mashed Potatoes, and Oven Roasted Chicken, we describe basic ways to prepare these recipes using different types of ovens. It’s important to note that a convection oven cooks food using a dry style of heat, while a combi oven provides more of a moist style of cooking. Proper oven temperatures and cook time are key factors to success in a kitchen. Get to know the equipment you have available and what recipes you can use them for.
Oven Baking & Roasting
Knowing how to properly use different types of large kitchen equipment, including mixers, combi ovens, and convection ovens, can open the door for even more scratch cook recipes. In our videos for our French Toast Casserole, Mashed Potatoes, and Oven Roasted Chicken, we describe basic ways to prepare these recipes using different types of ovens. It’s important to note that a convection oven cooks food using a dry style of heat, while a combi oven provides more of a moist style of cooking. Proper oven temperatures and cook time are key factors to success in a kitchen. Get to know the equipment you have available and what recipes you can use them for.
Cooking in a Tilt Skillet
Tilt skillets are a versatile equipment option for school kitchens. They can be used for sauteing, braising, making soups and sauces, and cooking a variety of other recipes, including pasta. In our Whole Grain Pasta with Marinara video, we demonstrate how to prepare a large batch of pasta al dente style so it retains an ideal texture when serving or reheated. When cooking recipes in large batches, using a tilt skillet is more efficient than cooking on a stovetop. Afterward, clean-up is a breeze due to the ability to tilt and drain from the tilt skillet!
Cooking in a Tilt Skillet
Tilt skillets are a versatile equipment option for school kitchens. They can be used for sauteing, braising, making soups and sauces, and cooking a variety of other recipes, including pasta. In our Whole Grain Pasta with Marinara video, we demonstrate how to prepare a large batch of pasta al dente style so it retains an ideal texture when serving or reheated. When cooking recipes in large batches, using a tilt skillet is more efficient than cooking on a stovetop. Afterward, clean-up is a breeze due to the ability to tilt and drain from the tilt skillet!
