SITHCCC401
Produce specialised food items

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to prepare and cook food items that are more unusual in nature following standard recipes. It requires the ability to select and prepare ingredients and to use relevant equipment and specialised cookery methods.

Application

This unit applies to cooks who work in hospitality and catering organisations. Because the nature of food items is specialised, it may apply to chefs and cooks with advanced skills or with skills in very particular styles of cooking.


Prerequisites

This unit must be assessed after the following prerequisite unit:

SITXFSA101

Use hygienic practices for food safety


Elements and Performance Criteria

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

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 ingredients for specialised food items from stores according to recipe, quality, freshness and stock rotation requirements.

2. Select, prepare and use equipment.

2.1 Select equipment of correct type and size.

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 food production sequencing.

3.2 Weigh and measure ingredients and create portions according to recipe.

3.3 Minimise waste and store reusable by-products.

4. Cook specialised food items.

4.1 Select and use preparation and cookery methods for specialised food items.

4.2 Prepare and use accompaniments suited to dishes.

4.3 Follow standard recipes and make food quality adjustments within scope of responsibility.

5. Present and store specialised food items.

5.1 Present dishes attractively on appropriate serviceware.

5.2 Add dips, sauces and garnishes according to standard recipes.

5.3 Visually evaluate dish and adjust presentation.

5.4 Store dishes in appropriate environmental conditions.

Required Skills

Required skills

initiative and enterprise skills to minimise wastage

literacy skills to:

read and interpret food preparation lists, standard recipes, date code and stock rotation labels and manufacturer instructions for equipment

write notes on recipe requirements and calculations

numeracy skills to:

calculate the number of portions

weigh and measure ingredients

determine cooking times and temperatures

planning and organising skills to efficiently sequence the stages of food preparation and production

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

self-management skills to manage own speed, timing and productivity

technology skills to use food preparation and cooking equipment.

Required knowledge

culinary terms and trade names for ingredients used in the relevant specialised area

characteristics of relevant specialised items:

appearance and presentation

freshness and other quality indicators

historical and cultural derivations

nutritional value

service style

taste

texture

contents of stock date codes and rotation labels

preparation and cookery methods for the relevant specialised items

equipment used to produce specialised dishes:

essential features and functions

safe operational practices

storage of products:

correct environmental conditions to ensure food safety

appropriate methods to optimise shelf life.

Evidence Required

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

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the ability to:

produce a range of specialised food items that require the application of specialised cookery methods

produce food for multiple customers within commercial time constraints

integrate knowledge of:

quality indicators for specialised food items

cookery methods for different items

features, functions and safe use of food preparation equipment

food safety practices for handling and storing one or more specialised food items.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure use of:

an operational commercial kitchen with the fixtures, large and small equipment and workplace documentation defined in the Assessment Guidelines; this can be a:

real industry workplace

simulated industry environment such as a training kitchen servicing customers

industry-realistic ratios of kitchen staff to customers

food preparation lists and standard recipes

a variety of commercial ingredients.

Method 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 individual preparing for and producing specialised food items

evaluation of the taste and visual appeal of specialised food items s prepared by the individual

projects that allow assessment of the individual’s ability to produce a variety of specialised food items for different occasions

use of visual and taste recognition exercises so the individual can identify ingredient and product characteristics

written or oral questioning to assess knowledge of culinary terms, quality indicators for food items, equipment, cookery methods and appropriate environmental storage conditions

review of portfolios of evidence and thirdparty workplace reports of onthejob performance by the individual.

Guidance information for assessment

The assessor should design integrated assessment activities to holistically assess this unit with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role, for example:

SITHCCC307 Prepare food to meet special dietary requirements

SITHKOP402 Develop menus for special dietary requirements.


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, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Food production requirements may include:

deadlines

portion control

quantities to be produced

special customer requests

special dietary requirements.

Specialised food items may include:

aquatic plants, such as seaweeds

aromatics, flavourings, spices and herbs

bush foods and native Australian ingredients

commodities from ethnic cuisines and cultural traditions such as Mexican, Asian and Middle Eastern

fruits, vegetables, flowers and salad items

fungi

meats, poultry and game other than lamb, beef, pork and chicken

offal and specialist meat products

preserves, condiments and accompaniments

seeds and nuts

specialist cheeses and dairy products

unusual fish, shellfish and other foods from salt or fresh water.

Specialised preparation and cookery methods may include:

cooking on salt,

earth oven cooking

hanging of meat, poultry and game

marinating and coating

molecular gastronomy

preserving:

drying

salting

pickling

smoking

tenderising

using special ovens and cooking utensils.

Food quality adjustmentsmay relate to:

taste:

bitter

salty

sour

sweet

umami

temperature

texture:

clean

creamy

crispy

crunchy

fibrous

moist

mousse

rich

slippery

smooth

velvety.

To adjust presentation may involve:

changing accompaniments and garnishes to maximise eye appeal:

balance

colour

contrast

changing plated food for practicality of:

customer consumption

service

wiping drips or spills.

Environmental conditions relates to appropriate:

atmosphere

humidity

light

packaging

temperature

use of containers

ventilation.


Sectors

Hospitality


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.