Food Production: Core Concepts
1. Introduction to Food Production
• Food production refers to the process of preparing, cooking, and presenting food in a professional setting.
• It encompasses kitchen operations, hygiene standards, menu planning, and staff coordination.
2. Kitchen Organization & Brigade System
• Classical Brigade System (Escoffier model):
• Chef de Cuisine: Head of the kitchen
• Sous Chef: Second in command
• Chef de Partie: Section chef (e.g., pastry, grill)
• Commis Chef: Junior chef
• Kitchen Porter: Assists with cleaning and basic prep
• Modern kitchens may adapt this structure based on size and service type (e.g., fast food vs. fine dining).
3. Types of Food Production Establishments
• Commercial kitchens: Hotels, restaurants, catering services
• Institutional kitchens: Hospitals, schools, prisons
• Industrial kitchens: Large-scale food factories
4. Basic Cooking Principles
• Heat Transfer Methods:
• Conduction: Direct heat (e.g., pan frying)
• Convection: Circulated heat (e.g., baking, boiling)
• Radiation: Infrared or microwave
• Cooking Techniques:
• Moist heat: Boiling, steaming, poaching
• Dry heat: Grilling, roasting, baking
• Combination: Braising, stewing
5. Food Safety & Hygiene
• Personal hygiene: Handwashing, clean uniforms
• Kitchen hygiene: Sanitizing surfaces, proper waste disposal
• Food handling: Avoid cross-contamination, maintain cold chain
• Fire safety: Know your extinguishers and emergency exits
6. Menu Planning & Cost Control
• Consider nutritional balance, seasonality, and target audience
• Use standard recipes to control portion sizes and costs
• Monitor food waste and optimize inventory
7. Waste Management in Food Production
• Organic waste: Composting vegetable trimmings, used cooking oil
• Recyclables: Glass, metal, plastic
• Hazardous waste: Proper disposal of chemicals and oils
8. Kitchen Equipment & Maintenance
• Categories: Cooking (ovens, stoves), refrigeration, preparation (mixers, slicers)
• Selection factors: Durability, energy efficiency, ease of cleaning
• Maintenance: Regular checks, cleaning schedules, safety inspections
- Teacher: sharon chepkorir

