Quantity Cookery: Menu Planning and Cooking for Large Numbers

this is true of all institutions, whether great or small, is shown by the extreme care exercised in the largest hotels to the end that no food shall be wasted. Where there is family service, rather than plate service from the kitchen, there will probably be a large amount of left-over food. It requires a good deal of ingenuity to use these left-overs in some other form so as to maintain variety and that element of surprise which is so essential. In the cafeteria or other institution using _à la carte_ service the left-over problem is not so serious. It is very nicely taken care of in tea rooms and hotels which serve a club luncheon, the menu for which may be chiefly made up from the left-overs. It is obvious that the form of service may influence the kind and extent of the menu. That is, the cafeteria can serve a large variety of dishes because the patrons wait on themselves. A similar choice or variety is impracticable where there is table service, except in hotels, restaurants and tea rooms where cost is not so great a factor. CHAPTER II STANDARDS FOR JUDGING MEALS Provided the principles of good nutrition have not been violated, the main basis for judging any meal is palatability. Palatability depends upon appearance and quality. Appearance in turn depends upon quantity, color, form and service upon the plate. Quality is determined by odor, flavor, temperature, texture and consistency. Reduced to outline form, the elements of palatability are: | quantity | color + appearance---------+ form | | neatness | | arrangement | Palatability + | | | odor | | temperature + quality------------+ flavor | texture | consistency Commercially and aesthetically it is unwise to make servings too large. Every one has had the experience of being served with more food than can be eaten with relish and without waste. The effect is to surfeit the appetite and to limit the variety which a patron may have, unless he is able financially to order the variety; in which case he is obliged to leave some food