Prep
Mise en Place
French · everything in its place
Every ingredient measured, cut and arranged before the first pan touches the heat. In a starred kitchen, no chef begins a dish until the station is set.
Why It Matters
Most home cooking goes wrong in the scramble, not the recipe. When everything is within reach, you cook with your eyes and ears instead of the measuring cup, and timing becomes effortless.
How to do it
- 1
Read your entire recipe carefully.
- 2
Gather all ingredients needed for the dish.
- 3
Measure, weigh, and chop every component.
- 4
Place each prepared ingredient in individual bowls.
- 5
Arrange all bowls within your immediate workspace.
Common mistakes
- ✕
Starting without reading the recipe causes panic, so read instructions fully before beginning.
- ✕
Working without prepped ingredients leads to burning, so ensure everything is measured first.
- ✕
Cluttered stations slow down speed, so wipe down your board between tasks.
