Welcome — how this system works

This page is your guide to Tuscany Cuisine’s menu system: you build a Core Menu from the recipe library, add Event Menus for holidays, add Daily Specials for today’s service, verify stations in the Production Dashboard, then manage totals in Kitchen Operations.

How to use the Menu Builder System

Follow these steps in order. Every tool is connected through your browser’s saved data (localStorage).

Step 1

Build your Core Menu + Daily Specials

Use the Menu Builder Dashboard to create your seasonal Core Menu (Antipasti → Dolci). Then use Daily Specials to set “today’s Chef Special” for lunch/dinner service.

Open Menu Builder Daily Specials See seasonal core menus

Step 2

Choose an Event Menu

For holidays and special dinners, open an Event Menu Builder (San Valentino, Mother’s Day, San Silvestro), select recipes, and click Send to Kitchen Production. Event recipes can be locked so the same dish isn’t used twice.

View event menu builders Read the rules (locks + costs)

Step 3

Review Production → Run Operations

After you send menus, open the Production Dashboard to verify Event + Core + Special by station. Then open Kitchen Ops for total costs.

Open Production Dashboard Open Kitchen Operations

How everything connects (simple explanation)

Core Menu built in Menu Builder → saved in your browser as TC_OPS_ACTIVE_MENU_V1
Event Menu built in an Event Builder → saved as TC_ACTIVE_EVENT_…
Daily Special built in Daily Specials → saved as TC_ACTIVE_EVENT_SPECIAL

Production + Kitchen Ops automatically read those saved items and show:

Event Menu (if one was sent) + Core Menu + Chef Special
Station breakdowns (Grill, Sauté, Pantry, Pastry, etc.)
Total food cost and labor cost for service

✨ System Demo (for first-time visitors) Click “Load Demo Data” to instantly populate a sample Core Menu + Event Menu + Chef Special in your browser. Then open Production and Kitchen Ops to see the system working.

Go to Production Go to Kitchen Ops

Demo data stays only in your browser (localStorage). It does not affect any server database.

Quick Start

Build a seasonal Core Menu in the Menu Builder, add today’s Daily Special, then (optional) build an Event Menu. Verify stations in Production Dashboard, then finish in Kitchen Ops for totals.

Menu Builder → Daily Specials → Production Kitchen Ops

Rules, costs, and what gets saved

The system uses your browser’s localStorage to connect everything (no login needed). Food & labor costs are calculated from your recipe data (food cost per serving + labor minutes × rate).

Costs

Food + labor totals

Kitchen Ops shows totals for each menu and also groups recipes by station (Grill, Sauté, Pantry, etc.). Labor is calculated as: (minutes per serving × hourly rate) ÷ 60.

Locks

Recipe Registry

Event Menu Builders can lock recipes via TC_RECIPE_REGISTRY so a recipe isn’t reused in another event. Kitchen Ops lets you reset the registry when you want to start fresh.

Storage

What gets saved

Core Menu is saved as TC_OPS_ACTIVE_MENU_V1. Event Menus are saved as TC_ACTIVE_EVENT_… keys (San Valentino / Mother’s Day / San Silvestro). Daily Specials are saved as TC_ACTIVE_EVENT_SPECIAL. Production + Kitchen Ops automatically load what you last sent.

Seasonal Core Menus (Integrated)

These are part of the system. Build or update them in the Menu Builder Dashboard and they will appear inside Production + Kitchen Ops.

Integrated

Italian Autunno Menu

Harvest-driven dishes with mushrooms, squash, and Tuscan herbs.

View Menu

Use as a seasonal foundation inside your Core Menu.

Integrated

Italian Winter Menu

Comforting pastas, slow braises, and robust pairings.

View Menu

Use in Menu Builder to create your winter Core Menu.

Integrated

Italian Spring Menu

Fresh greens, peas, and light sauces to celebrate new growth.

View Menu

Great for lighter stations and produce-forward menus.

Integrated

Italian Summer Menu

Grilled flavors, ripe tomatoes, and seaside classics.

View Menu

Perfect for grill, seafood, and fresh herbs.

Event Menus (Integrated)

These event builders connect directly to Production + Kitchen Ops. Build your event menu and click Send to Kitchen Production.

Integrated

San Valentino (Builder)

Romantic set-course menu builder for Valentine’s Day.

Open Builder

After sending, verify stations in Production, then totals in Kitchen Ops.

Integrated

Mother’s Day (Builder)

Elegant seasonal courses with flexible selections.

Open Builder

Build from recipe library or add manual dishes for specials.

Integrated

San Silvestro (Builder)

New Year’s Eve menu builder inspired by your classic San Silvestro dinner.

Open Builder

Includes a “Prefill from legacy menu” button for quick setup.

Daily Specials (Integrated)

Daily Specials are your “Chef Special” for today’s service. They load automatically inside Production + Kitchen Ops under Special.

Integrated

Daily Specials (Chef Special)

Set today’s special(s) for lunch or dinner — then view station breakdowns and totals instantly.

Open Daily Specials

Saved as TC_ACTIVE_EVENT_SPECIAL in your browser. Production + Kitchen Ops load it automatically.

Sample Menus (Not Integrated)

These are inspiration-only pages. They do not send recipes to production and are not connected to Production/Kitchen Ops.

Sample

Mediterranean Menu

Sun-kissed flavors across mezze, seafood, and seasonal vegetables.

View Sample

Sample

Bar Menu

Small plates and pairings that play well with cocktails and wines.

View Sample

Sample

Regional Tuscan Menu (2000)

A look back at a beloved Il Fornaio regional menu.

View Sample

Sample

Regional Umbria Menu (1999)

Hearty flavors from Italy’s green heartland.

View Sample

Request a Custom Menu

Tell us about your event and preferences. We’ll follow up to schedule a quick discovery call.