What is the primary purpose of menu planning?

The primary purpose of menu planning is to organize meals ahead of time. This involves thoughtfully considering various factors such as nutritional balance, seasonal availability of ingredients, customer preferences, and overall theme or concept of the menu. Effective menu planning helps streamline the preparation process, ensures that the kitchen operates efficiently, and enhances the dining experience by providing variety and satisfaction for customers.

While calculating food costs, determining staff schedules, and setting prices are important elements in the management of a food service establishment, they are secondary activities that stem from the foundational work done in menu planning. By knowing what meals will be served, a business can then evaluate the costs associated with those meals, manage staff to meet service demands, and set appropriate pricing strategies. However, it's the initial organization and selection of meals that plays a crucial role in guiding all these subsequent tasks.