thumb|Mise en place in a professional kitchen

Mise en place () is a French culinary phrase which means "putting into place". It refers to the setup required before cooking, and is often used in professional kitchens to refer to organizing and arranging the ingredients (e.g., cuts of meat, relishes, sauces, par-cooked items, spices, freshly chopped vegetables, and other components) that a cook will require for the menu items that are expected to be prepared during a shift.

thumb|alt=Mise En Place Bowls|Mise en place in small bowls for stir fry

thumb|Ingredients arranged in a home kitchen for a [[peanut brittle recipe]]

The practice can be applied in home kitchens.

In the kitchen, the phrase is used as a noun (i.e., the setup of the array of ingredients), a verb (i.e., the process of preparing) and a state of mind. The term's broader meanings can be applied to classrooms, hospitals, IT departments, and elsewhere.

See also

  • Knolling
  • Mirepoix
  • Glossary of French expressions in English

References

  • À la carte webpage discussing mise en place
  • NPR Morning Edition story about mise en place