Mise en Place

Mise en Place is a french culinary phrase meaning “everything in its place”. It refers to the setup required before cooking such as the arrangement of ingredients and equipment. Hence, a mise en place allows cooks to stay organized and execute when an order comes in. This is especially important in an intense and fast paced environment like a kitchen.

Like a cook, I have my own mise en place when I study.

I don’t need as much setup as a restaurant during dinner service but I like to create an optimal environment that allows me to focus intensely and for long periods of time.

This includes a full water bottle, my seat adjusted to the proper height, my iPad, and my computer opened to the right tabs.

Sometimes I’ll have a pack of gum, a hot cup of green tea or light a scented candle if I’m feeeling fancy.

When my mise en place is ready, that’s my cue to get to work.