Recipe Item Setup - Include Prep Instructions

Overview:

There are multiple tabs on the Recipe Item setup feature. The explanations for each tab are somewhat lengthy so individual articles exist for each tab in the Recipe Item Setup feature.  This article covers the tabs for "Prep Instructions" and "Prep Stations". 

Things to know!

• The use of Preparation Instructions is optional. 
• The reason most customers utilize Prep Instructions is to combine their "Recipe Book" with their recipe costing/modeling system. 
• The Preparation Instructions tabs will only appear in Recipe Item Setup if it is enabled in your Company Settings on the Recipes Tab. 
• Pictures, Steps, and Equipment can optionally be included in Prep Instructions. 
• You do not need to define Prep Stations to utilize Prep Instructions. 
• Please use this link for more information on setting up Prep Stations. 
• There are Prep Item display and Listing features in Recipes & Sales>Listings.

Recipe Item Setup - Prep Instructions Tab:

Prep Instructions enable you to do the following for a recipe: 1) add a description, 2) create steps for preparing the recipe, 3) attach a picture of the recipe, 4) enter the prep time, 5) list the required preparation equipment, and 6) assign a prep station.  You can do any single, or any combination, of these options for any type of recipe.  

In the below example, we have enabled Preparation Instructions in the Company Settings Recipe tab, and we have check-marked the box next to "Prep Instructions" on the main Recipe Item tab to enable Prep Instructions for this Recipe Item.  We will use a Recipe Item example called "Breakfast Burrito" that already has prep instructions configured. The Prep Instructions tab for this recipe has been selected:

Description: The description entry box on the top left allows you to enter free-form text. If you have enabled a spelling and grammar checking tool such as Grammarly then it will function here.  Examples of descriptions are information that you think will be helpful in understanding the recipe or knowing how to prepare or serve it.   You could add nutrition information here as well. 

Picture: If you have a picture on your local computer or online in JPG or PNG format, then you can download it and add it to the recipe.  Click the "Choose File" button and select your file name. 

Prep Time:  If you want to include the time it should take to prepare this recipe then you can enter it here. 

Equipment: The Equipment entry box allows you to enter free-form text to list the cooking utensils and equipment that are required for this recipe. If you have enabled a spelling and grammar checking tool such as Grammarly then it will function here.  

Steps: Steps provide the ability to describe how to prepare the recipe.  They are sequential.  The + key allows you to enter a new step.  The x button deletes the step that is highlighted. The arrows move the highlighted step up or down. 

You can also move a step up or down by clicking on the "move" graphic to the left of the step and dragging it to the position you desire.  You can edit a step by selecting "edit" next to the step.  Below we have selected to edit Step #1:

In the above example, we are viewing step 1 titled cook potatoes.  The ingredients for potato and canola oil have been selected from the main recipe for the Breakfast Burrito (only ingredients in the main recipe are available to be assigned to steps. A picture and Instructions for Step 1 are also added.

Step Title: Each Step is automatically given a sequence number and you can enter a title for the step of your choice. 

Step Pictures: You can also add a picture to a step or remove a picture from a step. 

Step Instructions: Instructions for each step can be added. 

Adding Ingredients to Steps: To add an ingredient to a step, click the plus button (see below). You will next be asked to select an ingredient to add to the step. Please note that only the ingredients from the Breakfast Burrito recipe that have not already been fully used in a step are available for selection. Once you select an ingredient you will be asked to enter a quantity of that ingredient that is used in the step:

Reconcile Step Ingredients:  If you put ingredients and their portions in Steps, then the main recipe will compare the quantities used in the steps to the quantities in the main recipe. Using a Breakfast Buritto example below, we can see the comparison of the recipe unit quantities:

Adding Steps: To add another step to a recipe, click the plus button (see below) in the Steps display. You will then see the same display we are showing above for viewing a step where you can give the step a title, add a picture, add ingredients, and include instructions:

Prep Stations Tab:

Prep Stations are optional. They are designed to enable assigning the preparation of recipe items to specific stations. Prep instructions can then be viewed, listed, or displayed by Prep Station. 

In order to assign a Prep Station to a recipe item, Prep Stations must be set up via the Prep Station Setup function - Inventory>Setup>Prep Stations. In the example below we have selected the Prep Station tab for Breakfast Gravy Prep:

The Prep Stations tab will display a dual list box with the stations that you have set up showing as available and the stations you have selected showing as selected. 

You can move stations from one selection to the other by checking the box next to the station and then clicking on the arrow direction or by double-clicking on the station you want to move.  

Save, Delete, and Exit:

At the bottom of the screen are the Save, Delete, and Exit buttons.

Save - Saves the entry or entries without exiting.

Delete - Deletes the Item. You will be asked, "Are you sure"?

Exit -  Exits without saving any new entries or edits. If you have new entries, you will be asked, "Are you sure"?