Private chefs are often tasked with preparing a variety of meals that meet their clients’ needs and dietary requirements at any given time. This is why having good organizational skills and the ability to multitask can be a great advantage for those who are in this profession. If you are just starting out as a private chef, here are some nifty hints and tips that you can try so you can save time and effort and make the meal preparation process a breeze.
How to Save Time and Effort When Preparing Meals
- Buy the whole chicken. Instead of just chicken breast or thighs, why don’t you consider buying the whole bird instead? This way, you can save time since you can use the entire chicken in different dishes over the next couple of days. Also, you can save money, because buying a whole chicken is usually much cheaper per pound than buying individual parts. And, more importantly, it is better for the environment, as it helps reduce waste generated by used Styrofoam and packaging.
- Consider buying pre-chopped vegetables. Chopping up vegetables can take up a lot of your time, especially if you’re cooking up a large batch. As such, consider buying washed and pre-chopped vegetables from the grocery store. If it bothers you because you think it’s cheating, you can use a food processor instead.
- Learn how to multitask. As mentioned earlier, having the ability to multitask can be a huge advantage when working as a personal chef. Therefore, consider learning how to multitask. This can help you save time, especially if you’re doing a labor-intensive recipe. For example, while you’re waiting for the chicken to cook in the oven, you can do one part of the recipe. Before you start cooking, figure out what will the take the longest to cook and then always start with that. By making the most of your downtime, you can accomplish more tasks.
- Develop your knife skills. Having good knife skills can significantly boost your cooking skills. As such, if you think your knife skills can use some improvement, take the time to sharpen them. Sign up for a class, or if you don’t have enough time, you can check out YouTube, as there are plenty of knife skill tutorials you can find there.
Be Organized
- Read the recipe from start to finish. If you’re cooking a meal from a recipe, make sure to read it over first. Take the time to gather all the necessary ingredients and do the necessary prep work, such as preheating the oven or finding the right knife for the job. Remember, running back and forth while cooking to hunt down ingredients can eat up a lot of your time and even cause accidents.
According to professional chefs, when the kitchen is disorganized, it’s very likely that your brain will be disorganized, too. As a result, you’re more likely to make mistakes or overlook steps in the recipe. By being organized, you can save time and ensure that the meal preparation is a success.
