02 | Develop Menus & Ensure Effectiveness of Standardized Recipes Production, Service, and Delivery Methods
The menu should coordinate with the type of meal service. For example, a stir-fry would be a great menu item when doing display cooking. However, for cafeteria service where food may be held on a steam table, stir-fried items may lose quality and prove a poor choice. If trays are being plated in the kitchen and delivered to individual clients, menus should include items that sit well during the delivery.
Timing and Labor
How long it takes to prepare each menu item is an important consideration. Some menu items are more time-intensive than others. If a menu item requires intensive preparation, a convenience item may need to be paired with it to balance resources. The production schedule dictated by the menu must be realistic.
The menu must match the skills of employees responsible for producing the menu items. Culinary challenges presented to minimally trained employees can lead to increased costs through the loss of food or time. On the other hand, a facility that has a trained chef can use this resource to incorporate sophisticated techniques and preparation while holding food costs down. Through focused training, a CDM, CFPP can broaden the skills of food production employees to incorporate specific menu items that require specialized techniques.
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A well-trained chef can use sophisticated techniques to control costs, while minimally trained staff may increase them.
Foodservice department management teams can help with menu planning by using their collective skills. For instance, the CDM, CFPP may provide input into the menu from the perspective of managing production. An Executive Chef can provide expertise on food items and preparation techniques. The RDN can provide specific nutrition and therapeutic diet guidelines. The diet office clerk or serving line checker can identify the items that have frequent call backs for a second choice. The dishroom attendant can help identify what food is returning on the plates uneaten. Each area of the department can contribute to the development of a better menu for the clients.
Equipment
Menu items may require a broad variety of equipment. Consider each proposed menu item in terms of physical layout and equipment. The type of equipment being used throughout the day must also be considered. The department may not have enough oven space if every menu item for a given meal requires the use of the oven. Storage equipment and transport/delivery requirements can be related concerns.