Step 1

List the ingredients in each recipe.

Step 2

Briefly summarize what you have to do with each ingredient. Each step shouldn’t be more than 1-3 words.

Step 3

Break down the recipe into steps, and estimate the time needed for each step. (Whenever you do one of the steps, record the actual time required. This will help to better plan in the future.)

Step 4

Put the list in order.

a. Group similar tasks together. For example, if you have to chop parsley for the main dish and chop tomatoes for the side dish, plan to do all of your chopping together.

b. The steps that take the most time or that are the most important should be done early in production, and simple steps should be near the end of the process. If you run short on time, you’ll only have to do the quick and easy steps, which should keep you from running too far behind.

Step 5

Split the list into prep and a la minute sections.