For example:
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When you open a fresh jar of peanut butter do you only work through one side until it is completely empty then start on the other side?
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Or when you get those shallow tubs of hummus does it have to make it back home undisturbed? Then one of the baggers at the grocery store shoves it sideways into the bag completely ruining the symmetry.
As a line cook, cutting up everything before a pan gets turned on is just good mise en place. You shouldn’t start cooking until you know you’re ready and haven’t forgotten anything. The whole process is way easier and more relaxed when you’ve got all the components together in advance
Oh hey, turns out I’m in good company then! And yeah I do it that way specifically because of stress.