Mise En Place

This phrase simply means to put in place, a fancy way of saying be organized. In a professional kitchen we always work off a list that is a comprehensive breakdown of all the components of each dish on the menu, what we call the house preparation. At the beginning of each day the kitchen team goes through all the jobs on the list; when they are finished, we are ready for service. If it is important for us to make a good list, then you should consider writing a little one, too, particularly when you are entertaining and cooking a few dishes. It helps with clarity and ensures you do everything you have to. Organization is the key to all good cooking; if you are ready to put everything together when it is needed, you will have great success. If you are in a flap, have forgotten elements of the dish, or are working in a haphazard manner, you will generally be in a mess. What’s more, cooking won’t be as much fun and you are not assured of a great result.