Application
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to prepare appetisers and salads following standard recipes. It requires the ability to select and prepare ingredients, and to use relevant equipment and cookery and food storage methods.
The unit applies to cooks working in hospitality and catering organisations. This could include restaurants, educational institutions, health establishments, defence forces, cafeterias, kiosks, cafes, residential caterers, in flight and other transport caterers, and event and function caterers.
It applies to individuals who work with very little independence and under close supervision and guidance of more senior chefs. They follow predefined organisational procedures and report discrepancies to a higher level staff member for action.
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 outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Select ingredients. | 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 appetiser and salad ingredients from stores according to recipe, quality, freshness and stock rotation requirements. 1.4.Check perishable supplies for spoilage or contamination prior to preparation. |
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.Weigh and measure ingredients and create portions according to recipe. 3.3.Clean and cut salad ingredients using basic culinary cuts according to quality standards. 3.4.Minimise waste to maximise profitability of food items prepared. |
4. Prepare appetisers and salads. | 4.1.Select and use relevant cookery methods for salads and appetisers. 4.2.Prepare sauces and dressings according to recipe. 4.3.Follow standard recipes and make food quality adjustments within scope of responsibility. |
5. Present and store appetisers and salads. | 5.1.Present dishes on appropriate service-ware. 5.2.Add dips, sauces and garnishes according to standard recipes and regional variations. 5.3.Visually evaluate dish and adjust presentation. 5.4.Store dishes 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 for dishes that demonstrate use of each of the following ingredients:
bread and bakery items
condiments
dairy products
dressing ingredients
dry goods
eggs
farinaceous products
frozen goods
fruit
herbs and spices
meat
poultry
seafood
vegetables
follow standard recipes to prepare the following appetisers and salads:
appetisers:
antipasto
canapés
hors d’oeuvres
tapas
salads:
classical
modern
cold
warm
fruit
use at least four of the following cookery methods and complete mise en place activities when preparing the above dishes:
baking
boiling
blanching
frying
grilling
poaching
roasting
steaming
prepare the above dishes for at least six different customers:
within commercial time constraints and deadlines
reflecting required quantities to be produced
following procedures for portion control and food safety practices when handling and storing different food types
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 different appetisers and salads
contents of stock date codes and rotation labels and their implication for food quality standards
characteristics of different appetisers and salads:
appearance and presentation
classical and contemporary variations
freshness and other quality indicators
nutritional value
service style
taste
texture
quality indicators for appetisers and salads
cookery methods for appetisers and salads
dressings, sauces and garnishes for salads
mise en place requirements for appetisers and salads
appropriate environmental conditions for storing appetiser and salad products to:
ensure food safety
optimise shelf life
safe operational practices using essential functions and features of equipment used to produce appetisers and salads.
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:
commercial:
blenders and food mills
planetary mixers
commercial grade work benches (1.5 m/person)
designated area for dry goods and perishables
commercial ovens with trays (one per two persons):
commercial refrigeration facilities:
cool room and/or fridge
freezer
deep-fryer
designated storage areas for dry goods and perishables
double sink
gas, electric or induction stove tops (two burners per person)
hot plate or griddle
microwave
salamander or other form of griller (one per four persons)
slicing machine
small equipment:
baking sheets and trays
containers for hot and cold food
cutting boards
food handler gloves
graters
juicers
knife sharpening equipment
sharpening steels and stones
knives:
bread knives
chef knives
palette knives
utility knives
measurers:
metric calibrated measuring jugs
measuring spoons
portion control scoops
mortar and pestle
oven mitts
pots and pans
sauce bottles
salad spinners
scales
scoops, skimmers and spiders
sets of stainless steel bowls
service-ware:
platters, dishes, and bowls
cutlery and serving utensils
small utensils:
flour and drum sieves
peelers, corers and slicers
strainers and chinois
scrapers
spatulas
pastry brush
tongs and serving utensils
whisks:
fine stainless steel wire
coarse stainless steel wire
spoons:
large plain and slotted metal spoons
ladles in a variety of sizes
wooden spoons
steamers
temperature probes
thermometers
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
mise en place lists, menus and standard recipes
current commercial stock control procedures and documentation for ordering, monitoring and maintaining stock
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
diverse and comprehensive range of perishable food supplies for commercial cookery or catering operations as specified in the performance evidence
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 achieved the Certificate III in Commercial Cookery or Certificate IV in Commercial Cookery to assess this unit as part of a Certificate III in Commercial Cookery or Certificate IV in Commercial Cookery qualification; 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 locate and read date codes and rotation labels on food products. |
Numeracy skills to: | calculate the number of portions determine cooking times and temperatures. |
Planning and organising skills to: | efficiently sequence 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 that 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
Commercial Cookery and Catering