How to Build a Catering Prep and Cooking Timeline

by Chef Bae® Sherri Smith September 19, 2026

A catering timeline helps turn a menu into a production plan. Instead of relying on memory, the caterer can work backward from service time and identify what must happen before shopping, prep, cooking, packing, travel and setup.

Plan before event day

Different foods have different holding and finishing needs, so a timeline should be built around the actual menu and service format.

The full prep-list system and event timeline worksheet are included with Kitchen to Coin.

Ready to learn the full system?

The complete step-by-step training, worksheets, calculators, templates and scripts are inside the paid Kitchen to Coin program. Get Kitchen to Coin by Chef Bae® for $97.