Application
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to prepare and cook meat, poultry, seafood and vegetable dishes for national and regional Asian cuisines. It requires the ability to select and prepare ingredients, and to use relevant equipment and cookery methods.
The unit applies to hospitality and catering organisations that offer Asian cuisine and to cooks who usually work under the guidance of more senior chefs. The unit may be applied to one or more Asian cuisines.
No occupational licensing, certification or specific legislative requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENTS | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
Elements describe the essential outcome. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Select ingredient.s | 1.1.Confirm food production requirements from food preparation list and standard recipes. 1.2.Calculate ingredient amounts according to requirements. 1.3.Identify and select ingredients from stores according to recipe, quality, freshness and stock rotation requirements. 1.4.Check perishable supplies for spoilage or contamination prior to reparation. |
2. Select, prepare and use equipment. | 2.1.Select type and size of equipment suitable to requirements. 2.2.Safely assemble and ensure cleanliness of equipment before use. 2.3.Use equipment safely and hygienically according to manufacturer instructions. |
3. Portion and prepare ingredients. | 3.1.Sort and assemble ingredients according to food production sequencing. 3.2.Measure, weigh and portion ingredients according to recipe requirements. 3.3.Select and use preparation methods according to recipe requirements. 3.4.Minimise waste to maximise profitability of food items prepared. |
4. Cook Asian dishes. | 4.1.Select and use appropriate cookery methods according to recipe requirements. 4.2.Prepare marinades, flavourings and sauce mixtures. 4.3.Follow standard recipes and make food quality adjustments within scope of responsibility. |
5. Present and store Asian cooked dishes. | 5.1.Present dishes on appropriate service-ware. 5.2.Add accompaniments, garnishes and sauces as required. 5.3.Visually evaluate dish and adjust presentation. 5.4.Ensure food safety, quality and shelf life by storing food in appropriate environmental conditions. 5.5.Clean work area and dispose of or store surplus and re-usable by-products according to organisational procedures, environmental considerations and cost-reduction initiatives. |
Evidence of Performance
Evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit in the context of the job role, and:
follow standard recipes to prepare at least six cooked dishes from at least one of the following types of cuisine:
Chinese
Indian
Indonesian
Japanese
Malay and Nonya
Thai
Vietnamese
prepare at least one dish using each of the following ingredients:
meat
poultry
seafood
vegetables
prepare the above dishes demonstrating at least eight of the preparation techniques and using each of the cookery methods listed in the knowledge evidence at least once
prepare above dishes for at least six different customers:
within commercial time constraints
reflecting required quantities to be produced
following procedures for portion control and food safety practices when handling and storing Asian cooked dishes
responding to special customer requests and dietary requirements.
Evidence of Knowledge
Demonstrated knowledge required to complete the tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit:
culinary terms and trade names for ingredients commonly used in the production of Asian cooked dishes
required changes to dishes to reflect cultural and regional considerations and variations
contents of stock date codes and rotation labels
characteristics of Asian cooked dishes and their ingredients:
appearance and presentation
combinations of spices
nutritional value
quality indicators
service style
strength of flavours
taste
texture
preparation techniques used for Asian cooked dishes:
blanching
chopping
cleaning
coating
cutting
dicing
gutting
filleting
marinating
peeling
portioning
slicing
tenderising
trimming
cookery methods used for Asian cooked dishes:
drying
marinating
pickling
smoking
steaming
wok cookery
appropriate environmental conditions for storing Asian cooked dishes to:
ensure food safety
optimise shelf life
safe operational practices using essential functions and features of equipment used to produce Asian cooked dishes.
Assessment Conditions
Skills must be demonstrated in an operational commercial kitchen. This can be:
an industry workplace
a simulated industry environment, such as a training kitchen servicing customers.
Assessment must ensure access to:
fixtures and large equipment:
barbecues
commercial:
blenders and food mills
food processors
planetary mixers
commercial grade work benches (1.5m/person)
commercial refrigeration facilities:
freezer
fridge
designated area for dry goods and perishables
double sink
gas electric or induction stove tops (two burners per person)
ovens
small equipment:
cast iron pan (tava)
containers for hot and cold food
cutting boards
electric rice cookers and steamers
food handler gloves
graters and peelers
grills and hot plates
knives and cleavers
measures:
metric calibrated measuring jugs
measuring spoons
portion controlled scoops
mincers
oven mitts
pans and pots:
stainless steel, cast iron and non-stick fry pans
stock pots
roasting drums
scales
service-ware:
platters, dishes, and bowls
cutlery and serving utensils
chopsticks
sets of stainless steel bowls
sharpening steels and stones
skewers
small utensils:
scoops, skimmers and spiders
strainers
scrapers
tongs and serving utensils
whisks:
fine stainless steel wire
coarse stainless steel wire
spits
spoons:
large plain and slotted metal spoons
ladles in a variety of sizes
serving spoons
wooden spoons
steamers
temperature probes
thermometers
turbo and gas woks
diverse and comprehensive range of perishable food supplies for Asian cookery
cleaning materials and equipment:
cleaning cloths
commercial cleaning and sanitising agents and chemicals for cleaning commercial kitchens, equipment and food storage areas
dustpans and brooms
garbage bins and bags
hand towel dispenser and hand towels
mops and buckets
separate hand basin and antiseptic liquid soap dispenser for hand washing
sponges, brushes and scourers
tea towels
organisational specifications:
equipment manufacturer instructions
current commercial stock control procedures and documentation for ordering, monitoring and maintaining stock
mise en place lists, menus, standard recipes and recipes for special dietary requirements
ordering and docketing paperwork
food safety plan
guidelines relating to food disposal, storage and presentation requirements
safety data sheets (SDS) for cleaning agents and chemicals
industry-realistic ratios of kitchen staff to customers; these can be:
staff and customers in an industry workplace during the assessment process; or
individuals who participate in role plays or simulated activities, set up for the purpose of assessment, in a simulated industry environment operated within a training organisation.
Assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisations’ requirements for assessors; and:
have worked in industry for at least three years where they have applied the skills and knowledge of this unit of competency.
Foundation Skills
Foundation skills essential to performance in this unit, but not explicit in the performance criteria are listed here, along with a brief context statement. | |
SKILLS | DESCRIPTION |
Reading skills to: | locate information in food preparation lists and standard recipes to determine food preparation requirements interpret manufacturer instructions for equipment locate and read date codes and rotation labels on food products. |
Writing skills to: | record notes on recipe requirements. |
Numeracy skills to: | calculate the number of portions determine cooking times and temperatures measure familiar quantities of ingredients using simple measuring instruments. |
Problem-solving skills to: | evaluate quality of ingredients and finished dishes and make adjustments to ensure a quality product adjust taste, texture and appearance of food products according to identified deficiencies. |
Planning and organising skills to: | efficiently sequence the stages of food preparation and production. |
Self-management skills to: | manage own speed, timing and productivity. |
Range Statement
Specifies different work environments and conditions that may affect performance. Essential operating conditions that may be present (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) are included. Range is restricted to essential operating conditions and any other variables essential to the work environment. | |
Food quality adjustments must involve consideration of factors relating to: | taste temperature texture. |
Adjusting presentation must involve consideration of: | accompaniments and garnishes to maximise visual appeal: balance colour contrast plating food for practicality of: customer consumption service wiping drips and spills. |
Environmental conditions must ensure appropriate: | atmosphere humidity light packaging temperature use of containers ventilation. |
Sectors
Hospitality
Competency Field
Asian Cookery