In determining a “prep list” for your menu items, operators, owners, and food service managers must take into consideration all the different measurements and weight involved with specific food products at every stage of the food production. When operators are testing recipes; accurate, perfect weight and measurements are key to implementing the food plan for their specific foodservice establishment. Strict adherence to portion control is paramount to serving the exact food product, the exact same way each time. Portion control scales and measures are especially important in hospital or assisted living situations where special dietary needs are more prevalent.
Let’s look at a typical mass feeder recipe:
- 15 pounds chicken, grilled and diced
- 8 cups mayonnaise
- 1 pound fresh basil, julienned
- 4 large red peppers, diced
- 2 tablespoons black pepper
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
This is a pretty basic recipe. Not a lot of ingredients. Very pantry friendly, simple to make, but a significant volume of food products. What isn’t so friendly about it are all the different weight measurements and types of cuts for the vegetables… and production cost. Measuring, cutting and weighing products in pre-production is one of the most important steps in every recipe. Many of the mega food service franchises exist and flourish on the accurate weighing, portioning and preparation of all their foods. Every ounce counts to keep the foods consistent and contain overall food costs.
Rarely will you get a Big Mac in Louisville that does not taste exactly like the Big Mac you had in Indianapolis. Once branded, your customers will expect the same flavor every visit. Cooked product weight can vary wildly from raw product. Ground beef, potatoes, fresh vegetables, raw seafood, and chicken are examples of foods that can have a much lower OR higher weight after cooking. How will you control the recipe and food cost? Answers lie with proper scales and measures.
Dine Company – The Restaurant Store partners with Taylor Professional Products to bring a full line of scales and measurement accessories that help promote food safety, enhanced productivity and user convenience. The workhorse of the Taylor line, the TS32 can be found in kitchens throughout the country. Prep personnel love the large dial and the quick return of scale gauge to the starting point. Taylor really understands the opportunities and challenges of busy production areas.
TS32 Mechanical Portion Control Scale Features
- 32 oz x 1/4 oz capacity.
- Exclusive, removable stainless steel platform design improves cleaning efficiency.
- Stainless steel spring and corrosion-resistant weighing mechanism for durability, long-term accuracy, and strength.
- Angled dial with bold graphics improves reading accuracy and ease of use.
- A shatterproof lens protects the dial.
- Rotating dial allows for container weight deduction and quick zero for multiple ingredients measuring.
- NSF listed.
For a more accurate and consistent measure, you may choose the Taylor TE32FT digital scale. Measuring spoons, receiving scales, portion scales, sharp knives, spatulas, portion bags, day dots, cutting boards, storage containers are other kitchen tools to help control the recipes. The smallest fluctuation in a spice or portion controls can be the difference between….” this is so delicious”, to “this is different than last time”. Dine Company – The Restaurant Store is a cash and carry store on most of the “cool tools” you will need to keep your prep-production area on course and measuring up. Shop Taylor scales online at shop.dinecompany.com.
