4.1 Menu Types

What is a static menu?

A menu that rarely changes where the same foods are offered every day

What menu type offers the same food items every single day?

Static menu

Where are static menus typically used?

In various restaurants as well as healthcare foodservice operations like hospitals and nursing homes

What is a potential drawback of a static menu in a healthcare facility?

Patients can become tired of the same food choices if their length of stay is over several days

Why might long stay patients dislike a static menu?

Because the same food choices are offered every day without change

What is a cycle menu?

A set of menus that rotates at various time intervals such as weekly or monthly or bimonthly

What menu type includes a set of menus that rotates over time intervals like weekly or monthly?

Cycle menu

What are common rotation time intervals for a cycle menu?

Weekly or monthly or bimonthly

How can cycle menus incorporate seasonal produce?

By offering seasonal food items like fruits and vegetables when they are in season

Do traditional cycle menus generally offer patients item selections?

No cycle menus generally do not offer patients item selections

What is a potential disadvantage of a non selective cycle menu for patients with long stays?

Patients can become tired of the food choices if the length of stay is long

What is a selective menu?

A menu that provides patients with a choice of options for several dishes

What menu type allows patients to choose between options for several dishes like baked fish or grilled chicken?

Selective menu

Give an example of choices on a selective menu?

A patient choosing between baked fish or grilled chicken for an entree and coffee or milk for a beverage

How do selective menus typically rotate?

Selective menus generally rotate in cycles

What are common cycle lengths for selective menus in healthcare?

Common cycle lengths are 7 day or 10 day or 14 day cycles

In a 7 day selective cycle menu how often do the same daily food choices repeat?

Every week on the same day of the week such as every Monday

What is a market menu?

A menu based on product availability during a specific time period

What menu type is based on peak product availability and seasonal food readiness?

Market menu

What determines the food items offered on a market menu?

Peak season product availability and items that are readily available in the market

How frequently can a market menu change?

A market menu may change daily

What menu type changes daily based on food market availability?

Market menu

What is a hybrid menu?

A menu that is a combination of a static menu with a cycle menu or a market menu of specials

What menu type features static daily items along with rotating daily or weekly specials?

Hybrid menu

Where are hybrid menus commonly used?

In high end restaurants that offer standard entrees and appetizers alongside daily or weekly specials

What components make up a typical hybrid menu in a high end restaurant?

Static normal entrees and appetizers combined with daily or weekly specials

What is a California menu?

A menu from organizations that offer breakfast lunch and dinner with all meals listed on the menu available all day

What menu type lists breakfast lunch and dinner options all together available at any time of day?

California menu

When can customers order breakfast lunch or dinner items on a California menu?

All day long at any time

What is an a la carte menu?

A menu where each food and beverage item is priced and ordered separately

What menu type prices every single food and beverage item individually?

A la carte menu

How are dishes purchased on an a la carte menu?

Each item is selected and paid for individually rather than as a bundled meal

What is a semi a la carte menu?

A menu where some items like appetizers and desserts are priced separately while the entree includes side dishes

In a semi a la carte menu how is the entree priced and served?

The entree price includes accompanying sides such as a salad starch and vegetable

On a semi a la carte menu which items are typically priced separately from the entree?

Appetizers and desserts

What menu type combines individually priced appetizers and desserts with entrees that include sides?

Semi a la carte menu

What is a table dhote menu?

A menu that offers a complete meal at a set price and no choices are offered

What menu type provides a complete meal for a set price without allowing dish choices?

Table dhote menu

Give an example of the lack of choice on a table dhote menu?

A customer cannot choose between green beans and carrots because the meal is fixed

How is a table dhote meal priced?

A complete meal is offered at a single set price

What is a prix fixe menu?

A menu that offers a complete meal at a set price while allowing choices to be made

How does a prix fixe menu differ from a table dhote menu?

A prix fixe menu allows choices to be made while a table dhote menu offers no choices

What menu type offers a complete meal at a set price but allows selection among options?

Prix fixe menu

What similarity exists between table dhote and prix fixe menus?

Both offer a complete meal purchased at a set price

What is a disaster menu?

A menu designed to be used in case of a disaster or emergency situation

What natural or human caused emergency events require a disaster menu?

Power failures hurricanes tornadoes terrorist attacks and pandemic health events

Why are disaster menus planned for minimal staffing?

Because staff numbers may be limited and available personnel may not be trained in quantity food production

What utility commodities are often unavailable during disasters and must be accounted for?

Refrigeration and electricity

What disaster menu requirement exists for healthcare facilities?

Healthcare facilities are required to have a 7 day disaster menu with a nutrient analysis

How many days of food supplies must healthcare facilities keep on hand for emergencies?

Healthcare facilities are required to have multiple days of food supplies on hand

Which food items should be used first during a power outage disaster?

Perishable foods should be used first especially if there is a loss of power for refrigeration

Which food items should be prepared first if water or heat loss is anticipated?

Food items which require water and heat should be used first

What special nutrition formulas must be anticipated in a disaster menu plan?

Needs for patients receiving enteral nutrition parenteral nutrition and standard or specialized infant formulas

How should religious and cultural food needs be handled during a disaster?

Anticipate cultural and religious food customs and allow family members to bring in culturally accepted foods if feasible

How are patient food allergies handled when planning disaster meals?

Anticipate patients on special diets such as food allergies and modified textures

What exception applies to disease specific diets during a disaster with limited food supplies?

Patients on disease specific diets may be provided with foods that typically do not fit into their plan

What is the recommended emergency water requirement per person per day in a disaster menu plan?

Water needs per person serving may be more than 1 gallon of water per day

What individual and environmental factors determine emergency water needs per person?

Age physical activity physical condition climate and time of year