Quantity food production labor time.
To facilitate the development and use of production time data in quantity foodservice, Master Standard Data (MSD) were applied to determine the feasibility of developing a standard code for synthesizing and predetermining production times. Observations were made in a 2,000-meal-per-day foodservice system to determine basic activities common to the production of single-item entrées. An MSD Quantity Food Production Code was developed through the use of MSD and verified by stop-watch time study. Three formulas for single-item entrées were analyzed, divided into basic elements of production, from which production time for preparation of 100 portions of each entrée was synthesized. Stop-watch studies were performed on three replications of the production of 100 portions of each item. Differences between synthesized time values determined by applying the MSD and stop-watch technique were within acceptable limits. The MSD Quantity Food Production Code was, therefore, considered valid and reliable. Repeated occurrence of similar elements within production methods indicated that the code could serve as a structural framework for establishing a universal data code applicable to all aspects of quantity food production.