COURSE OVERVIEW:

Welcome to the Prepare & Present Seafood Dishes course. This program has been developed to equip you with the culinary knowledge, technical skills and food safety practices required to prepare, cook and present high-quality seafood dishes in a commercial kitchen environment.

Seafood cookery is a cornerstone of professional culinary practice. This course begins by introducing the fundamentals of seafood preparation and production, the role of standard recipes in ensuring consistency and quality, and the workplace responsibilities associated with handling fish and shellfish safely. It emphasises the importance of precision, hygiene, timing and technique when producing seafood dishes for commercial service.

A strong foundation in culinary terminology is essential for professional communication in the kitchen. This section explores key terms used to describe fish and shellfish, commercial trade names for commonly used species, and terminology relating to classical and contemporary seafood dishes. Learners also become familiar with terms used to describe cuts, preparation styles and presentation methods.

Seafood classification assists with selecting the right preparation and cooking techniques. This section examines the major classification groups for fish and shellfish, regional and market-based categories, and the preferred culinary applications associated with each variety. Learners gain insight into how species characteristics influence texture, flavour and cooking outcomes.

High-quality ingredients underpin successful seafood dishes. This section outlines common fish and shellfish used in commercial cookery, additional ingredients such as herbs, spices, vegetables and stocks, and how to select ingredients that meet recipe and quality requirements. Learners explore how thoughtful ingredient selection contributes to flavour, freshness and visual appeal.

Understanding seafood quality ensures safe and appealing dishes. This section examines appearance characteristics, freshness indicators, flavour and texture attributes, and signs of spoilage or unsuitability. It also covers the factors that affect seafood quality during storage and preparation, reinforcing the importance of strict quality control.

Correct stock rotation and labelling help maintain food safety and minimise waste. This section explores date codes, rotation labels, FIFO principles and organisation-specific stock control procedures. Learners gain the skills to manage time-sensitive seafood products effectively.

Handling and storing live seafood requires specialised knowledge. This section covers the storage requirements for live fish and shellfish, safe handling processes and the risks associated with mishandling. Learners examine how correct procedures preserve quality and ensure compliance with food safety standards.

Humane slaughtering processes ensure ethical and legally compliant seafood preparation. This section outlines approved methods for humanely killing fish and shellfish, the legal and ethical considerations involved, and workplace procedures that must be followed. Learners develop awareness of welfare requirements in seafood production.

Professional seafood preparation techniques form the basis of culinary excellence. This section examines fish preparation methods such as filleting, scaling, pin-boning and skinning, as well as shellfish techniques including cleaning, deveining and shucking. Learners review food safety and hygiene practices essential during preparation.

Seafood cookery requires mastery of moisture-based, dry-heat and combination methods. This section explores how to select suitable methods for different species and cuts, and how technique influences texture, flavour and presentation. Learners consider how to apply recipe instructions effectively during service.

Presentation contributes significantly to customer satisfaction. This section examines principles of balance and contrast, efficient plating techniques, customer-focused presentation and adjustments based on dish style and service needs. Learners explore how visually appealing plating enhances the dining experience.

Minimising waste supports sustainability and profitability. This section identifies reusable seafood by-products, safe ways to incorporate offcuts into stocks and sauces, and strategies to reduce waste during preparation. Learners consider how efficient use of ingredients contributes to cost-effective kitchen operations.

Specialised equipment supports safe and efficient seafood production. This section outlines essential preparation equipment, key features and functions, safe operational practices and common hazards. Learners develop skills to use equipment confidently and safely.

Knife selection and care underpin professional seafood preparation. This section examines types and sizes of knives, suitability for specific seafood tasks, cleaning and maintenance requirements and safe handling procedures. Learners build confidence in using knives with precision and control.

Effective mise en place ensures smooth seafood production. This section explores how to sequence tasks, organise components and ingredients, prepare workstations and manage storage and bench requirements. Learners develop efficient workflow habits that support consistent service quality.

Environmental conditions play a crucial role in storing and thawing seafood safely. This section examines correct temperature ranges, safe thawing timeframes, cooling processes for cooked seafood and procedures that protect shelf-life and food safety.

Safe operational practices protect workers and customers. This section covers hygiene and contamination control, hazard prevention during handling, safe workflow practices and effective use of equipment. Learners gain confidence in applying safe, compliant seafood-related procedures.

Ingredient selection is a core culinary competency. This section outlines how to interpret recipe requirements, calculate amounts, and identify seafood products based on quality indicators and stock rotation practices. Learners explore how to source ingredients that support consistent production.

Selecting, preparing and using equipment correctly ensures safe, efficient work. This section addresses choosing suitable knives and tools, assembling and cleaning equipment, and applying hygienic handling techniques during seafood preparation.

Accurate portioning and preparation support consistency and profitability. This section explores thawing methods, ingredient sorting, weighing, measuring, portioning and applying seafood preparation techniques with minimal waste.

Cooking seafood dishes requires adherence to standard recipes and attention to detail. This section examines how to follow prescribed methods, prepare accompaniments, add sauces and make minor quality adjustments within job scope.

The course concludes by focusing on presenting fish and shellfish dishes to a professional standard. This section covers portioning, garnishing, evaluating presentation, storing prepared items and cleaning work areas while managing surplus or offcuts appropriately.

By the end of this course, you will be equipped with the culinary techniques, food safety knowledge and presentation skills required to prepare exceptional seafood dishes that meet commercial kitchen standards for quality, consistency and professionalism.

Each section is complemented with examples to illustrate the concepts and techniques discussed.

This course is designed to align with the content outlined in the Nationally Recognised Unit of Competency SITHCCC037.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

By the end of this course, you will be able to understand the following topics:

1. Introduction to Prepare & Present Seafood Dishes

• Overview of seafood cookery in commercial kitchens
• Role of standard recipes in seafood production
• Scope of workplace responsibilities when preparing seafood

2. Culinary Terms and Trade Names in Seafood Production

• Terminology for fish ingredients
• Terminology for shellfish ingredients
• Trade names for commercial seafood varieties
• Terms for classical and contemporary seafood dishes
• Terms describing cuts, preparation styles and presentation methods

3. Seafood Classifications and Varieties

• Classification groups for fish
• Classification groups for shellfish
• Regional and market-based seafood categories
• Styles of cooking associated with different seafood varieties

4. Ingredients Used in Fish and Shellfish Dishes

• Common fish used in commercial cookery
• Common shellfish varieties used in commercial cookery
• Additional ingredients used in seafood dishes (herbs, spices, vegetables, stocks)
• Selecting ingredients based on recipe requirements

5. Understanding Seafood Quality, Freshness and Appearance

• Appearance characteristics (balance, colour, contrast)
• Freshness indicators
• Flavour characteristics (taste, aroma)
• Texture characteristics
• Signs of spoilage and unsuitability
• Factors affecting seafood quality in storage and preparation

6. Stock Rotation, Date Codes and Labelling Requirements

• Purpose of date codes
• Components of date codes
• Reading and applying rotation labels
• First-in-first-out (FIFO) rotation principles
• Organisation-specific stock control procedures

7. Handling and Storage of Live Seafood

• Storage requirements for live fish
• Storage requirements for live shellfish
• Safe handling processes to maintain quality
• Risks associated with mishandling live seafood

8. Humane Slaughtering Processes for Live Fish and Shellfish

• Approved methods for humanely slaughtering fish
• Approved methods for humanely slaughtering shellfish
• Legal and ethical considerations in humane killing
• Workplace procedures related to humane slaughter

9. Seafood Preparation Techniques

• Fish preparation techniques (filleting, scaling, pin-boning, skinning)
• Shellfish preparation techniques (cleaning, deveining, shucking)
• Safe handling and hygiene during preparation

10. Seafood Cookery Methods

• Moist-heat methods for seafood
• Dry-heat methods for seafood
• Combination cookery methods for seafood
• Selecting suitable methods for different species and cuts

11. Plating and Presentation of Seafood Dishes

• Principles of balance and contrast in plating
• Practical plating methods for efficient service
• Customer-focused presentation techniques
• Adjusting plating based on dish style and service needs

12. Minimising Waste and Using Seafood By-Products

• Types of reusable seafood by-products
• Safe use of offcuts in stocks, sauces and secondary dishes
• Profitability considerations when using by-products
• Waste reduction strategies in seafood preparation

13. Equipment Used to Produce Seafood Dishes

• Types of seafood preparation equipment
• Essential features and functions of equipment
• Safe operational practices for seafood equipment
• Common hazards and controls for equipment use

14. Knife Selection, Care and Maintenance

• Types and sizes of knives used in seafood work
• Knife suitability for specific seafood tasks
• Knife cleaning and maintenance
• Safe and effective knife handling procedures

15. Mise en Place Requirements for Seafood Dishes

• Sequencing tasks for efficiency
• Organising seafood components and ingredients
• Preparation of workstations and tools
• Storage and bench requirements for mise en place

16. Environmental Conditions for Storing and Thawing Seafood

• Correct temperature ranges for fresh fish and shellfish
• Timeframes and safe thawing processes
• Cooling processes for cooked seafood
• Ensuring food safety and shelf-life optimisation

17. Safe Operational Practices in Seafood Preparation

• Hygiene and contamination control
• Hazard prevention during seafood handling
• Safe workflow practices
• Safe use of equipment essential features and functions

18. Selecting Ingredients

• Confirming food production requirements from standard recipes
• Calculating ingredient amounts
• Identifying and selecting seafood products based on quality, freshness and stock rotation

19. Selecting, Preparing and Using Equipment

• Choosing appropriate knives and equipment
• Assembling and ensuring cleanliness of equipment
• Using knives and equipment safely and hygienically

20. Portioning and Preparing Ingredients

• Thawing seafood according to food safety guidelines
• Sorting and assembling ingredients
• Weighing, measuring and portioning ingredients
• Applying seafood preparation techniques
• Minimising waste to maximise profitability

21. Cooking Seafood Dishes

• Following standard recipes for cookery methods
• Preparing accompaniments and adding sauces
• Making quality adjustments within scope of responsibility

22. Presenting Fish and Shellfish

• Portioning and serving dishes
• Adding sauces and garnishes according to standard recipes
• Visually evaluating dishes and adjusting presentation
• Storing prepared food items correctly
• Cleaning work area and managing surplus/offcuts

COURSE DURATION:

The typical duration of this course is approximately 3-4 hours to complete. Your enrolment is Valid for 12 Months. Start anytime and study at your own pace.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

You must have access to a computer or any mobile device with Adobe Acrobat Reader (free PDF Viewer) installed, to complete this course.

COURSE DELIVERY:

Purchase and download course content.

ASSESSMENT:

A simple 10-question true or false quiz with Unlimited Submission Attempts.

CERTIFICATION:

Upon course completion, you will receive a customised digital “Certificate of Completion”.