Culinary Arts Level 1 Prep Cook

Specific Competencies and Skills Tested in this Assessment:

Recipes

• Display understanding of cooking terminology 
• Demonstrate how to read and follow standard recipes
• Establish mise en place 

 

Knife Skills

• Identify and distinguish knife types and basic cuts
• Demonstrate knife sharpening skills and proper knife care

 

Large and Small Equipment

• Identify and demonstrate proper use of measuring devices
• Identify large and small kitchen equipment
• Demonstrate proper use and care of large and small equipment 

 

Sanitation and Safety

• Display knowledge of cleaning and sanitizing methods
• Maintain basic principles of nationally recognized sanitation protocols (i.e., ServSafe®, CPFM, ACF)
• Exhibit understanding of prevention, causes, and response to workplace injuries 
• Describe fire extinguishers and fire safety procedures
• Demonstrate personal hygiene
• Identify food allergen characteristics
• Demonstrate proper food storage techniques (can goods, dry, refrigerated, fresh, frozen)
• Take physical and perpetual inventory
• Exhibit knowledge of HACCP policies and procedures

 

Food Preparation

• Prepare salads and dressings
• Prepare soups, appetizers, and entrees 
• Prepare cold garnishes
• Prepare sandwiches, spreads, and fillings 

 

Fruits, Vegetables, and Starches

• Identify fruits and vegetables 
• Prepare fruits and vegetables for cooking
• Identify and prepare potato dishes
• Identify and prepare pasta, grains, and legumes

 

Bakery Products

• Prepare batters and doughs using appropriate mixing methods 
• Prepare standard dessert items 

 

Stocks, Sauces, and Hot Soups

• Prepare and flavor stocks (bones or base)
• Prepare mother (foundation) sauces
• Prepare roux and thickening agents 
• Identify and prepare soups

 

Meats and Poultry

• Identify meat and poultry (grade, inspection)
• Identify various cooking methods 
• Determine proper degrees of doneness 

 

Fish and Seafood

• Identify market forms of fish and seafood
• Identify various cooking preparations and methods

 

Breakfast Foods

• Identify and prepare breakfast starches
• Identify and prepare breakfast meats 
• Identify and prepare different styles of eggs
• Identify and prepare cereals 

 

Dairy Products and Alternatives 

•    Identify and use various dairy products (cheese, sour cream, butter, yogurt, 

creams, milk)

•    Prepare foods with a variety of cheese

 

Culinary Nutrition

• Describe the basic food groups; make healthy food choices
• Describe healthy cooking techniques
• Describe primary functions and food sources of major nutrients
• Describe food and dietary trends (farm to table, organics, religious and dietary concerns)

 

Culinary Math

• Convert standard recipes
• Calculate guest check with tax and gratuity
• Convert weights and measurements

 

Employment Skills

• Exhibit understanding of professional behavior, appearance, and interviewing skills
• Display knowledge of various job profiles and chain of command

 

Written Assessment: 

Administration Time: 3 hours   

Number of Questions: 170

 

Areas Covered:

Recipes: 5%

Knife Skills: 5%

Large and Small Equipment: 7%

Sanitation and Safety: 21%

Food Preparation: 7%

Fruits, Vegetables, and Starches: 7%

Bakery Products: 4%

Stocks, Sauces, and Hot Soups: 5%

Meats and Poultry: 5%

Fish and Seafood: 4%

Breakfast Foods: 8%

Dairy Products and Alternatives: 5%

Culinary Nutrition: 8%

Culinary Math: 5%

Employment Skills: 4%

Sample Questions: 

Coating an item with dry ingredients is called

1. sprinkling
2. brining
3. brushing
4. dredging

 

It is best to use a ______ knife when trimming vegetables and fruits.

1. boning
2. utility
3. paring
4. chef’s

 

The number of the portion scoop size equals the number of servings per

1. quart
2. pint
3. half-gallon
4. gallon

 

Single-use gloves should be

1. substituted for handwashing
2. washed and used more than once
3. used for many tasks at the same time
4. used only over clean hands

 

An example of oil-based dressing is

1. Thousand Island
2. Bleu Cheese
3. Italian
4. Ranch 

 

Cooked and properly cooled pasta should be

1. stored in cold water
2. stored uncovered
3. covered with a damp cloth
4. tossed lightly in oil and covered

 

Soups are only as good as the ______ used.

1. garnish
2. coloring agent
3. stock
4. thickening agent

The fat that is located within the muscle tissue of beef is known as

1. connective tissue
2. marbling
3. gristle
4. cartilage

 

What cooking method typically results in golden-brown shrimp?

1. blanching
2. pressure-cooking
3. boiling
4. deep-frying

 

In eating a variety of nutritious foods and beverages, choose foods that limit

1. vitamins
2. fats
3. minerals
4. fiber

Performance Assessment:

Administration Time: 2 hours and 50 minutes 

Number of Jobs: 7

 

Areas Covered:

23% Comprehensive Skills

Participants will sanitize, safely handle a knife, efficiently organize equipment and use the tools and equipment appropriately.  

 

7% Identification of Kitchen Equipment

Participants will correctly identify kitchen equipment.

 

7% Identification of Herbs, Spices, Fruits, and Vegetables

Participants will correctly identify herbs, spices, fruits and vegetables

 

7% Knife Sharpening:  Stone and Steel

Participants will properly sharpen a knife using stone and steel

 

13% Mise En Place 

Participants will boil and cool eggs, secure the cutting board, peel eggs and cucumber, seed the cucumber and cut properly  

 

22% Prepare Chef Salad with Vinaigrette Dressing

Participants will properly prepare salad and vinaigrette that are presented well and taste correct.

 

21% Prepare Cheese Omelet 

Participants will prepare an omelet that appears and tastes correct.

 

Sample Job:

Knife Sharpening:Stone and Steel

Maximum Time: 15 minutes 

Participant Activity:  The participant will sharpen a chef’s knife on a stone, hone the chef’s knife on steel, and handle the knife safely and properly throughout the job.