SECTION 7 - FOOD HOLDING AND SANITATION
FOOD HOLDING AND SANITATION | |
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FOOD HOLDING - FUNCTION & VALUE | GENERAL HOLDING GUIDELINES |
In the previous sections, cooking procedures in the | Chefs, cooks and other specialized food service |
Halo Heat Low Temperature Cooking and Holding | personnel employ varied methods of cooking. |
Oven have been emphasized. If practical to the | Proper holding temperatures for a specific food |
individual food service operation, these ovens can | product must be based on the moisture content of |
also be used without the cooking function to hold | the product, product density, volume, and proper |
foods at proper serving temperatures. Individual | serving temperatures. Safe holding temperatures |
holding cabinets can also be used to accomplish | must also be correlated with palatability in |
this function. | determining the length of holding time for a |
Food production in most food service facilities | specific product. |
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is accomplished in a variety of different cooking | Halo Heat maintains the maximum amount of |
equipment. Food quality can be easily lost between | product moisture content without the addition |
the time a product is removed from an oven | of water, water vapor, or steam. Maintaining |
and the time of direct service. Regardless of the | maximum natural product moisture preserves the |
method of preparation, proper handling of food | natural flavor of the product and provides a more |
within this time period is of critical importance | genuine taste. In addition to product moisture |
to the food service operator. Halo Heat hot food | retention, the gentle properties of Halo Heat |
holding equipment is able to support any type of | maintain a consistent temperature throughout the |
food preparation by extending the longest possible | cabinet without the necessity of a heat distribution |
holding life for the widest variety of products. | fan, thereby preventing further moisture loss due to |
For maximum efficiency, hot food holding | evaporation or dehydration. |
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equipment should be selected on the basis of the | In an enclosed holding environment, too much |
full range of functions this equipment can provide | moisture content is a condition which can be |
to the individual operation. For example, dough | relieved. A product achieving extremely high |
proofing, bulk food holding for buffet service or | temperatures in preparation must be allowed to |
other situations and the transportation of hot foods | decrease in temperature before being placed in a |
are some of the major functions of these cabinets | controlled holding atmosphere. If the product is |
for multipurpose utility. When properly planned, | not allowed to decrease in temperature, excessive |
Halo Heat holding equipment can be a time | condensation will form increasing the moisture |
management aid, support the food service operation | content on the outside of the product. To preserve |
by extending preparation times outside of peak | the safety and quality of freshly cooked foods |
preparation hours, and provide a quality product in | however, a maximum of 1 to 2 minutes must be the |
prolonged holding situations. | only time period allowed for the initial heat to be |
Consult an | released from the product. |
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information on compatible holding equipment or | Most Halo Heat holding equipment is provided |
for recommendation on full systems tailored to meet | with a thermostat control between 60° and 200°F |
specific requirements. | (16° to 93°C). If the unit is equipped with vents, |
| close the vents for moist holding and open the vents |
| for crisp holding. |
C A U T I O N
TO MAINTAIN SAFE TEMPERATURE
LEVELS, COLD FOOD FOR
RETHERMALIZATION OR REHEATING
MUST NEVER BE ADDED TO THE OVEN
WHILE HOT FOODS ARE BEING HELD.
cooking guidelines - simple control • 41