Req 4c — Share Your Plan
Before you start cooking, you need to walk your counselor through your entire plan. This is not just a formality — it is your chance to get feedback, catch any gaps, and make sure your plan is solid before you spend money and time executing it.
What to Bring to Your Discussion
Gather all of your planning materials and organize them so you can present them clearly:
Counselor Meeting Prep
Have these ready before your meeting
- Your three-day menu plan showing every meal (3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners, 1 dessert)
- The food groups covered by each meal (mapped to MyPlate)
- The cooking methods you plan to use (at least five different methods from Req 3a)
- Complete recipes for each meal
- Your shopping list organized by store section with quantities
- Cost breakdown per meal
- Equipment and utensils list
- Notes on any food allergies or special needs of the people you are serving
- Your food safety plan (how you will prevent cross-contamination, safe cooking temperatures)
What Your Counselor Is Looking For
Your counselor will review your plan with several questions in mind:
- Is it nutritionally balanced? Does each day cover all five food groups in reasonable proportions?
- Is it realistic? Can you actually prepare these meals with your current skill level and available equipment?
- Is it safe? Have you thought through food storage, cross-contamination prevention, and cooking temperatures?
- Does it show variety? Are you using at least five different cooking methods across your meals? Are you varying your proteins, grains, and vegetables?
- Is the budget reasonable? Did you calculate costs accurately?
Be Open to Feedback
Your counselor may suggest changes — a different cooking method, a food safety step you missed, or a nutritional gap. This is exactly what the discussion is for. Take notes on their feedback and adjust your plan before you start cooking.
Remember: this requirement is about planning, not perfection. Your counselor knows you are learning, and they want to help you succeed. The more preparation you do now, the smoother your cooking will go in Req 4d.
