Example of using building blocks

Cooking chickpeas in large batches and marinating them with olive oil, vinegar and garlic, then using them over the course of a week.

• Monday might be chickpeas with cooked farro, shredded raw and pickled carrots, parsley and hard-boiled eggs.
• On Wednesday, combine them with cucumbers, red onions and fresh dill served with sliced lamb.
• On Friday, scoop them over marinated kale, topped with olives, tomatoes and crumbled feta.

Most restaurant walk-in refrigerators are stocked, half with fresh produce and raw meat and the other half with building blocks like sauces, dressings, condiments, pickles, chilli oils, sauce bases, concentrated stocks, and curry pastes. In addition, spice blends and other dry preparations are f...