HomeMy WebLinkAboutHRM-103
1
Bergen Community College
Division of Business and Social Sciences
Department of Hotel Restaurant Management
Course Syllabus
HRM-103 – Professional Food Preparation Techniques
Semester and year:
Section Number: HRM-103
Meeting Times:
Locations:
Instructor:
Office Location:
Phone:
Departmental Secretary:
Office Hours:
Email Address:
Official Catalog Course Description
This course introduces the preparation techniques for various food types, including vegetables,
starches, dairy products, eggs, fish, soups, sauces, shellfish, poultry, and meats. Knife skills,
cooking methods, food presentation, butchering, kitchen organization, recipe conversion,
weights and measures, equipment usage, and product evaluation are introduced. Demonstration
and practice of 1 various cooking methods while adhering to safe sanitary food handling
procedures will be incorporated daily.
Credits: 3 (1 lecture, 4 labs)
Pre-requisites: None Co-requisites: None
Student Learning Outcomes:
As a result of meeting the requirements in this course, students will be able to:
1. Describe the properties and functions of the basic ingredients used in culinary
preparation.
2. Describe the properties and functions of essential ingredients used in culinary
preparation.
3. Identify and operate standard culinary equipment and hand tools.
4. Demonstrate and practice various cooking methods and proper knife-handling skills
while adhering to safe and sanitary food handling.
5. Prepare and present dishes by using standardized recipes and practicing a variety of
cooking methods.
Student Learning Outcomes: As a result of meeting the requirements in this course, students
will be able to:
2
Student Learning Outcome: Means of Assessment:
1. Describe the properties and functions of
the basic ingredients used in culinary
preparation.
Practical Lab Assessment: During a cooking
lab, students will prepare a simple recipe and
explain how each ingredient contributes to the
overall quality of the final product.
Multiple-choice, matching, or short-answer
questions on ingredient roles, substitutions, and
interactions in cooking and baking.
2. Describe the properties and functions of
essential ingredients used in culinary
preparation.
Students will prepare two versions of a dish by
altering a key ingredient and analyzing the
differences in texture, flavor, and consistency.
Students will be observed during competency-
based learning activities to determine whether
techniques are being applied.
3. Identify and operate standard culinary
equipment and hand tools.
Students are assigned different kitchen
appliances and must demonstrate how to operate
them correctly.
Students will demonstrate a cooking task that
requires multiple tools and equipment, and their
performance will be evaluated on efficiency,
accuracy, safety, and correct usage.
4. Demonstrate and practice various cooking
methods and proper knife-handling skills
while adhering to safe and sanitary food
handling.
Students perform specific culinary tasks within
a time limit and are assessed on speed, accuracy,
technique, and safety.
5. Produce a variety of meals using proper
cooking techniques.
Students prepare a variety of meals that
demonstrate different cooking techniques. They
will be assessed on ingredient selection, mastery
of knife skills, heat control, properly seasoned
food, balanced flavors, texture, aroma,
presentation, plating, time management, mise en
place, cleanliness, sanitation, proper handling of
ingredients, and adherence to food safety
protocols.
3
Course Content
Defining a Chef and the Role of Professionalism
• The foundation of a chef’s success is influencing kitchen operations, work ethics, and
customer satisfaction.
• Adherence to food safety protocols and personal grooming standards.
Mise en Place: The Foundation of Culinary Efficiency
• The importance of organizing and preparing all ingredients, tools, and equipment
before cooking begins.
• Impact of mise en place in professional kitchens on efficiency, accuracy, and stress-free
meal preparation.
Kitchen Procedures & Policies
• The importance of clear procedures and policies in ensuring food preparation
efficiency, safety, hygiene, and quality.
The Chemistry of Cooking
• Understanding the science behind cooking improving techniques, textures, and flavors
while ensuring food safety and efficiency.
• The management of heat transfer and the chemical reaction during the cooking process.
Tool and Equipment Identification - Knife Skills
• Proper knowledge of kitchen tools and equipment and knife skills are essential for
efficiency, precision, and safety in any culinary setting.
• The importance of techniques for increasing efficiency and precision while enhancing
presentation and uniformity, reducing waste, and improving safety.
Introduction to Vegetable Cookery
• Explore the identification of different types of vegetation, the effect of the cooking
process on vegetables, and the application of cooking methods to vegetables.
• The role and cooking methods of grains and starches.
Stocks and Sauces
• Examine the foundations of classical and modern stocks and sauces, their role in
culinary applications, and techniques for achieving depth of flavor and consistency.
Fabrication Cookery: Poultry, Beef, and Seafood
• Proper fabrication ensures efficiency, minimal waste, and optimal flavor extraction in
the kitchen.
Special Features of the Course
In addition to daily performance in the kitchen, utilizing learning technologies on the course
(such as the Internet and Canvas) is necessary to help you succeed in this course and the
industry.
Course Texts and/or Other Study Materials:
4
Required:
Labensky, K. (2015). On Cooking, 7th Ed. New York: Pearson. ISBN: 9780138091163,
0138091161
Suggested:
Mouritsen, O. G., Styrbæk, K., & Johansen, M. (2024). Plant-Forward Cuisine. Taylor &
Francis. ISBN-13 978-1040264652
Grading Policy
The grading system used for this course will combine the following:
Attendance 20%
Daily Lab Performance 35%
Classroom Sanitation 15%
Midterm Examination 5%
Final Written Examination 10%
Final Practical Examination 15%
100%
A student's final grade for the course is primarily based on their performance on required work
(lab performance, examinations, attendance, etc.) and mastery of the material covered in the
course. Class participation will also be evaluated, and this grade will be factored into
determining the student's final course grade.
Attendance Policy
Attendance Policy – 7-Week Course
Because the culinary lab is a hands-on course, attendance is mandatory. Students must engage
actively in all scheduled lab sessions to develop essential skills and achieve course objectives.
Attendance Expectations
• Mandatory Participation – Students must be present, in uniform, and prepared for each
lab session.
• Timeliness – Arrive on time; late arrivals (over 10 minutes) will be marked as tardy.
Three tardies equal one absence.
• Engagement & Professionalism – Participation is required, including setup, cooking,
cleanup, and teamwork.
Absences & Make-Up Policy:
• 1 absence: Allowed, but students must review missed material.
• 2 absences: A written explanation and approval are required to complete the work.
• 3+ absences: This will result in grade penalties and/or course failure.
Make-Up Sessions: These sessions must be arranged with the instructor and completed within
a week of the missed lab.
5
Excused Absences & Documentation
• Medical Emergencies – Requires a doctor’s note.
• Family Emergencies – Notify the instructor as soon as possible.
• Religious Observances – Must be communicated in advance.
Unexcused absences (e.g., personal travel, non-emergency reasons) may result in grade
deductions.
Lab Conduct & Professionalism
• Wear proper culinary attire (chef coat, pants, closed-toe shoes, hat/hairnet).
• Follow safety & sanitation guidelines at all times.
• Participate in clean-up duties—leaving a messy station results in grade penalties.
• Use professional behavior—excessive phone use, disruptive behavior, or lack of
teamwork will impact grades.
Grading Impact of Attendance
Attendance & Participation (20% of final grade)
Unexcused Absences = 5% grade deduction per missed lab
Tardiness = Repeated late arrivals result in deductions
Overall Kitchen Lab Class Participation (up to 10 performance points per session)
Class participation by students, which includes punctual attendance and active engagement
during class sessions, is crucial to this course. I expect you to participate actively and
constructively in our discussions in a manner that demonstrates respect and courtesy toward me
and your classmates during both lectures and labs. As the semester progresses, we will have
class discussions and practical tests on all major topics covered in the course. It is important to
engage actively in all classes and remain present for the entire session.
BCC Attendance Policy
All students are expected to attend every scheduled meeting of each course in which they are
registered. Attendance and lateness policies and sanctions are to be determined by the
instructor for each section of each course. These will be established in writing on the
individual course outline. Attendance will be kept by the instructor for administrative and
counseling purposes.
Other College, Divisional, and/or Departmental Policy Statements
Statement on plagiarism and/or academic dishonesty:
Academic Matters - Bergen Community College - Acalog ACMS™
Statement on the appropriate use of AI (see the following link for guidance):
AI-Guidance-Resource-Page.pdf (bergen.edu)
ADA Statement:
Disability Services (Office of Specialized Services) | Bergen Community College
Sexual Harassment Statement:
HR-003-001.2018-Policy-Prohibiting-Sexual-Harassment.pdf (bergen.edu)
6
Statement on acceptable use of BCC technology:
Acceptable-Use-Policy.pdf (bergen.edu)
Recommended Syllabus Statements from the Office of Specialized Services:
Syllabus Statements | Bergen Community College
Statement on the purpose and value of faculty office hours.
Student and Faculty Support Services
Accessibility Statement
Bergen Community College is committed to ensuring the full participation of all students in its
programs. If you have a documented disability (or think you may have a disability) and, as a
result, need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this class, complete course
requirements, or benefit from the College’s programs or services, contact the Office of Special
Services (OSS) as soon as possible at 201-612-5270 or www.bergen.edu/oss. To receive any
academic accommodation, you must be appropriately registered with OSS. The OSS works
with students confidentially and does not disclose any disability-related information without
their permission. The OSS serves as a clearinghouse on disability issues and partners with
faculty and all other student service offices.
Student Support Services
Bergen Community College provides exemplary support to its students and offers a broad
variety of opportunities and services. A comprehensive array of student support services
including advising, tutoring, academic coaching, and more are available online at
https://bergen.edu/currentstudents/.
Sidney Silverman Library Online Resources:
Guides BY SUBJECT - LibGuides at Bergen Community College General Search and Databases: Library | Bergen Community College
Course Outline and Calendar
7
Date: Topic/Activity: Learning Outcomes: Assignments/Events:
Day 1 Course Introduction:
Defining a Chef and the
Role of Professionalism
• Identify and operate equipment and standard culinary
hand tools effectively.
• Explain the importance of professionalism, discipline,
and work ethic in a kitchen environment.
• Recognize the principles of kitchen safety, sanitation,
and food handling.
• Chapter 1 - On Cooking
Textbook
• Tour of Lab
• Icebreaker Activity
• Lecture – Case Study
• Class Reflection Journal
Entry
Day 2 Mise en Place: The
Foundation of Culinary
Efficiency
Kitchen Procedures &
Policies
• Identify how mise en place contributes to time
management, workflow, and consistency in food
preparation.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of mise en place in reducing
waste and improving food quality.
• Identify and apply food safety guidelines, including
HACCP principles.
• Chapters 2 and 9 – On
Cooking Textbook
• Activities:
• Students will prep
ingredients for a timed
cooking session.
• Groups will set up a
professional workstation
and complete a service
task.
• Manage time and task
delegation in a high-
pressure kitchen
environment.
• Class Reflection Journal
Entry
Day 3 Tool and Equipment
Identification - Knife Skills
• Recognize and name key kitchen tools and equipment,
including knives, cookware, and small appliances.
• Apply correct cleaning, storage, and maintenance
techniques for knives and other culinary tools.
• Identify different types of knives (e.g., chef’s knife,
paring knife, serrated knife, boning knife) and their
uses.
• Exhibit safe knife-handling practices, including the
pinch grip, claw technique, and correct cutting
posture.
• Perform basic knife cuts such as chop, dice, julienne,
brunoise, chiffonade, and mince.
• Chapters 5 and 6 – On
Cooking Textbook
• Knife Skills Practical Lab
• Tool & Equipment
Identification Quiz
• Knife Skills Practical Lab
• Class Reflection Journal
Entry
Day 4 The Chemistry of Cooking • Differentiate between conduction, convection, and
radiation in the context of cooking.
• Describe how various cooking techniques (roasting,
boiling, frying, and sous vide) impact texture and
flavor.
• Adjust cooking variables (temperature, pH, time) to
control texture, color, and taste.
• Troubleshoot common cooking failures using
scientific reasoning.
• Chapter 7 – On Cooking
Textbook
• Cooking Processes
Practical Lab
• Conduct experiments
demonstrating starch
gelatinization, sugar
crystallization, and
fermentation.
• Class Reflection Journal
Entry
Day 5 Green Cuisine - A healthy,
environmentally sound
culinary approach
• Define Green Cuisine and explain its significance in
sustainable culinary practices.
• Identify key principles such as seasonal, locally
sourced, organic, and minimally processed foods
• Analyze how plant-forward diets contribute to health
and disease prevention.
• Compare organic vs. conventional foods in terms of
nutrition and environmental impact.
• Food Waste Reduction
Challenge: Track and
minimize food waste in a
cooking lab.
• Develop a Green Cuisine
menu with sustainability-
focused dishes for Day 6
preparation.
• Class Reflection Journal
Entry
8
Day 6 Introduction to Vegetable
Cookery
• Identify various vegetable classifications, including
root vegetables, leafy greens, tubers, legumes,
cruciferous vegetables, and others.
• Explain how seasonality and sourcing impact the
quality and flavor of vegetables.
• Demonstrate various cooking techniques, including
blanching, steaming, roasting, sautéing, braising,
grilling, and pureeing.
• Evaluate the impact of heat, moisture, and cooking
time on texture, color, and flavor.
• Chapter 3 – On Cooking
Textbook
• Chapter 10 - On Cooking
Textbook
• Vegetable Identification
Quiz
• Students prepare the same
vegetable using multiple
methods and compare the
results.
• Class Reflection Journal
Entry
Day 7 Introduction to Vegetable
and Fruit Cookery
• Identify various classifications of vegetables and
fruits, including leafy greens, root vegetables, berries,
citrus, stone fruits, and others.
• Identify key vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants
in vegetables and fruits.
• Compare the effects of various cooking methods on
the nutrient retention of plant-based ingredients.
• Demonstrate techniques such as boiling, steaming,
roasting, sautéing, grilling, braising, and pureeing for
vegetables.
• Explore poaching, caramelizing, baking, and
dehydrating fruits.
• Evaluate how heat, moisture, and cooking time impact
color, texture, flavor, and nutritional content.
• Chapters 25 and 26 - On
Cooking Textbook
• Students design and
present a dish using both
vegetables and fruits.
• Class Reflection Journal
Entry
Day 8 Stocks, Sauces, and Soups • Identify key nutritional components of a balanced
plant-based diet, including proteins, healthy fats, and
essential vitamins.
• Textbook Chapters 11 and
12 - On Cooking
Textbook
• Class Reflection Journal
Entry
• Practical Lab
Day 9 Vegetable Cookery – The
Entire Meal
Practical Midterm Exam
• Demonstrate proficiency in boiling, steaming,
roasting, grilling, sautéing, braising, and pureeing
vegetables.
• Evaluate how different cooking times and
temperatures affect vegetable texture and taste.
• Explore plant-forward cooking methods to enhance
natural flavors while maintaining nutrient integrity.
• Chapters 22, 23, and 24 -
On Cooking Textbook
• Class Reflection Journal
Entry
• Practical Lab
Day 10 Fabrication Cookery:
Poultry, Beef, and Seafood
• Identify and break down a whole chicken, duck, or
turkey into breasts, thighs, drumsticks, and wings.
• Perform deboning and trussing for roasting and
various cooking applications.
• Utilize poultry bones and trimmings for stock-making
and reducing waste.
• Identify different primal and sub primal cuts of
poultry, beef, and seafood.
• Explain the importance of handling, storage, and
sanitation when working with raw proteins.
• Chapters 13 and 20 - On
Cooking Textbook
• Class Reflection Journal
Entry
• Practical Lab
Day 11 The Nutritional
Underpinnings of Green
Cuisine
• Identify essential macronutrients (proteins, fats,
carbohydrates) and their plant-based sources.
• Explain the role of micronutrients (vitamins, minerals,
and antioxidants) in overall health.
• Compare the nutritional value of plant-based vs.
animal-based diets.
• Modify traditional recipes to include nutrient-dense,
plant-based, and environmentally friendly ingredients.
• Demonstrate cooking techniques that preserve
• Class Reflection Journal
Entry
• Practical Lab
• Modify and prepare a
traditional dish using
nutritionally rich,
sustainable ingredients.
9
nutrients and enhance flavor in plant-based meals.
• Understand the role of fermentation, sprouting, and
soaking in improving nutrient absorption.
Day 12 Starch-Thickened and
Emulsion Sauces
• Differentiate between roux, slurry, and beurre manié
as thickening agents.
• Demonstrate proper gelatinization and viscosity
control when using starch-based thickeners.
• Apply thickening techniques to classic sauces such as
béchamel, velouté, and gravy.
• Chapter 11 - On Cooking
Textbook
• Class Reflection Journal
Entry
• Practical Lab
Day 13 Organic Farming vs.
Conventional Farming
• Explain the key differences between organic and
conventional farming methods.
• Identify the principles and regulations governing
organic farming, such as USDA Organic certification.
• Describe common techniques used in conventional
farming, including the use of synthetic fertilizers,
pesticides, and genetically modified organisms
(GMOs).
• Class Reflection Journal
Entry
• Practice and prepare for
the Practical Final Exam
Days 14
& 15
Practical Final Exam
This course outline and calendar are tentative and subject to change based
on the class's progress.