SITHCCC032A
Apply cook-chill production processes

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to apply the planned process of food preparation, cooking, chilling, storage and re-thermalisation of food by cook-chill. The unit applies to food production by cook-chill methods either in an enterprise workplace or in a centralised production kitchen.No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.

Application

This unit applies to all catering operations where cook-chill is used, such as restaurants, educational institutions, health establishments, defence forces, cafeterias, kiosks, cafes, residential catering, in-flight and other transport catering, events catering and private catering. Those undertaking this role could be working as part of a team and under limited supervision, such as cooks and catering assistants.


Prerequisites

This unit must be assessed after the following prerequisite units:

SITXFSA001A Implement food safety procedures

SITXOHS002A Follow workplace hygiene procedures.


Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1

Ensure goods received conform to appropriate food hygiene and health standards.

1.1

Determine temperatures of delivered goods by using temperature measuring devices and ensure that they are within specified tolerances.

1.2

Complete appropriate records according to enterprise practices and regulatory requirements.

1.3

Receive and check meats, dairy and perishables against requisition docket for quality and freshness as per enterprise specifications.

2

Prepare and cook food to safe industry standards.

2.1

Cook food to specified internal temperatures.

2.2

Keep microbiological and chemical changes within safe tolerances.

2.3

Maintain the quality of food consistently at the optimum level in terms of taste and appearance.

3

Chill cooked food.

3.1

Meet time and temperature standards for blast and water-bath chilling.

3.2

Ensure that food quality is maintained throughout the chilling process.

4

Store cooked food under refrigeration.

4.1

Meet time and temperature standards for storage.

4.2

Ensure that spoilage is minimised.

4.3

Store food dynamically (first in-first out).

4.4

Select appropriate containers for storage.

4.5

Ensure that labelling is correct and clear.

4.6

Monitor storage temperatures to ensure they are correct.

5

Distribute cook-chill products.

5.1

Where necessary, transport food from production kitchen to outlets by refrigerated transport or insulated containers.

5.2

Maintain safe handling of food throughout the distribution cycle.

5.3

Check and record temperature levels at dispatch and receiving.

5.4

Observe requirements of hazard analysis and critical control points (HACCP) or other food safety program during the entire cook-chill cycle, including protecting food from the temperature danger zone.

6

Re-thermalise (reheat) cook-chill food products.

6.1

Execute re-thermalisation of food to standard guidelines using appropriate methods.

Required Skills

This section describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

The following skills must be assessed as part of this unit:

skills to use a temperature measuring device on a range of food products and ingredients at a range of temperatures

problem-solving skills to deal with problems, such as equipment failure or malfunction

literacy skills to read recipes, menus, instructions and orders

numeracy skills to calculate portions and ingredients required and to monitor temperatures.

The following knowledge must be assessed as part of this unit:

temperature specifications for the maintenance of food quality in the cook-chill process

food storage requirements in relation to cook-chill

principles and methods of cookery, including preparation and cooking techniques for all major food groups

features of cook-chill systems, and procedures for using cook-chill equipment

regulatory and legislative requirements for health and safety, food safety and hygiene of particular relevance to cook-chill, including national Food Standards

high risk groups for food-borne illness and reasons for this.

Evidence Required

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, the range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency

Evidence of the following is essential:

a variety of food items must be produced

observance of HACCP or other food safety program requirements during the entire cook-chill cycle

ability to operate a cook-chill system and equipment

ability to produce, package, label and store food items prepared

production of multiple cook-chill food items to meet differing needs

preparation of cook-chill food items within typical work time constraints

knowledge of OHS and food hygiene regulations.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

demonstration of skills using suitable cook-chill equipment and authentic food items, including:

pasteurising equipment

packaging material

suitable refrigerated storage area

chilling equipment, such as blast chiller or ice slurry tumbler

vacuum sealing equipment

pH tester

thermocouple chilling equipment

commercial re-thermalisation equipment, such as combi-steamer

fixed and hand-held cooking equipment.

Methods of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

direct observation of the candidate using cook-chill equipment

sampling of cook-chill items prepared by the candidate

written or oral questions to test knowledge of suitable items for cook-chill systems, hygiene issues related to cook-chill systems and specifications and procedures for cook-chill

review of portfolios of evidence and third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by the candidate.

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

SITXFSA003A Transport and store food in a safe and hygienic manner.

Assessing employability skills

Employability skills are integral to effective performance in the workplace and are broadly consistent across industry sectors. How these skills are applied varies between occupations and qualifications due to the different work functions and contexts.

Employability skills embedded in this unit should be assessed holistically with other relevant units that make up the skill set or qualification and in the context of the job role.


Range Statement

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording in the performance criteria is detailed below.

Foods to be produced by cook-chill methods and re-thermalised may consist of entire meals or individual items according to enterprise requirements, including:

bulk foods

plated meals

sous-vide products

meals-on-wheels

takeaway meals.

Appropriate methodsfor re-thermalisation may include:

low-heat convection

infra-red radiation

microwaving

water bath

kettle heating

using combi ovens.


Sectors

Sector

Hospitality


Competency Field

Commercial Cookery and Catering


Employability Skills

The required outcomes described in this unit of competency contain applicable facets of employability skills. The Employability Skills Summary of the qualification in which this unit is packaged will assist in identifying employability skills requirements.


Licensing Information

Not applicable.