Timing. How do I get everything ready at the same time?

Timing comes with a lot of practice and how well prepared you are. Chef's can cook many things at once, from a lot of practice and of course having stuff pre- prepared. Ever thought about how quickly a full plated meal only takes 10 minutes in a restaurant? Did you think they had faster stoves? No it is all down to being prepared.

A lot of food can be prepared in advance. Not too far in advance, but at least enough, for when you make dinner, the final few minutes allows you to get everything together on time.

Some easy things to get timing right.
1. Pasta can be cooked a few hours in advance and warmed in recently boiled water. (Do not let the pasta sit in water, from when you make it to when you serve it! It will turn to mush)
2. Meat can be cooked and left for 5, 10 even 15 minutes before serving it. In fact meat during cooking contracts and needs a few minutes to stand to allow the meat to relax (this will make the meat more tender!)
3. Rice can be cooked ahead of time and left for up to 30 minutes, drain off the water and put the lid back on.
4. Do all your chopping in advance. This means they are just ready to put in, when needed.
5. If you cook something right, do not wait too long to try it again, so that it sticks in your mind.