Shopping & Planning Log
Student: Jackson Hurff
Course: Chef Mongoose Fall 2025
Documentation Period: August 4, 2025 – December 15, 2025
This log documents the complete planning and shopping process for each week's culinary learning activities, demonstrating practical life skills in meal planning, budget management, and efficient shopping execution.
Log Purpose & Learning Integration
Educational Objectives
- Develop real-world meal planning and shopping skills
- Practice budget management and price comparison analysis
- Build ingredient research and seasonal awareness
- Create efficient shopping strategies and execution methods
- Document learning progression in practical life skills
Documentation Standards
- Weekly Planning Entry: Research, budget planning, shopping list creation
- Shopping Execution Log: Store visits, price comparisons, purchase decisions
- Cost Analysis: Budget vs. actual, value assessment, future improvements
- Learning Reflection: Insights gained, challenges faced, skills developed
Weekly Planning Template
Week of: [Date]
Lesson Focus: [Learning Objective]
Sunday Planning Session (10:00am - 1:00pm EST)
Research & Goal Setting
- Learning Goals: What skills will be developed this week?
- Ingredient Requirements: What ingredients are needed for planned activities?
- Seasonal Considerations: What ingredients are in season and optimal?
- Technique Considerations: What ingredients work best for planned techniques?
Budget Planning
- Weekly Budget: $___ allocated for ingredients and supplies
- Priority Spending: Essential vs. optional purchases
- Cost Research: Online price comparison from multiple sources
- Budget Flexibility: Alternative options if primary choices exceed budget
Shopping Strategy
- Store Selection: Which stores offer best value and quality?
- Shopping Route: Most efficient path for multiple store visits
- Quality Criteria: How to identify best ingredient quality
- Timing Strategy: When to shop for optimal freshness and selection
Shopping List Creation
| Item | Quantity | Estimated Cost | Store Location | Backup Options |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Shopping Execution Log
Store Visit 1: [Store Name] - [Date/Time]
- Items Purchased: List with quantities and actual costs
- Price Observations: Comparisons with research and other stores
- Quality Assessment: Freshness, appearance, seasonal characteristics
- Shopping Efficiency: Time spent, ease of finding items, service quality
Store Visit 2: [Store Name] - [Date/Time] (if applicable)
- Items Purchased: List with quantities and actual costs
- Price Observations: Comparisons with first store and research
- Quality Assessment: Freshness, appearance, seasonal characteristics
- Decision Rationale: Why this store for specific items
Cost Analysis & Documentation
Budget Performance
- Total Planned Budget: $___
- Total Actual Spending: $___
- Budget Variance: $__ (over/under)
- Spending Efficiency: Cost per learning activity planned
Value Assessment
| Purchase Category | Budgeted | Actual | Value Rating (1-10) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Proteins | ||||
| Vegetables | ||||
| Pantry Items | ||||
| Supplies |
Future Improvements
- Budget Adjustments: What budget changes are needed for next week?
- Shopping Strategy: How can shopping efficiency be improved?
- Quality Selection: What did I learn about ingredient selection?
- Seasonal Planning: How will seasonal changes affect future planning?
Weekly Logs
Week 1: August 4-5, 2025
Lesson Focus: Kitchen Setup and Safety
Sunday Planning Session (August 4)
Research & Goal Setting
- Learning Goals: Establish safe, organized kitchen workspace with proper safety equipment
- Supply Requirements: Safety equipment, organizational tools, cleaning supplies
- Research Focus: Compare safety equipment options, research organizational systems
- Quality Standards: Professional-level safety equipment that will last entire program
Budget Planning
- Weekly Budget: $150 allocated for safety and organizational setup
- Priority Spending:
- Essential safety equipment (60%): fire extinguisher check, first aid supplies, thermometers
- Organizational tools (30%): storage containers, labels, drawer organizers
- Cleaning supplies (10%): sanitizers, cleaning cloths, specialty cleaners
Price Comparison Research
- Fire Safety Equipment:
- Home Depot: Fire blanket $24.99, Smoke detector batteries $8.99
- Amazon: Same fire blanket $19.99, batteries $6.50
- Target: Fire blanket $26.99, batteries $7.99
-
Decision: Amazon for price, but check Home Depot for immediate availability
-
Organizational Tools:
- Container Store: Drawer organizers $45 set, labels $12
- IKEA: Similar organizers $22 set, labels $4
- Target: Mid-range option $32 set, labels $8
- Decision: IKEA for basic functionality, upgrade later if needed
Shopping Strategy
- Store Route: IKEA (organizational tools) → Home Depot (safety check) → Publix (cleaning supplies)
- Timing: Sunday 10:30am start, avoid weekend crowds
- Quality Criteria: Sturdy construction for frequently used items, adequate safety ratings
- Backup Plan: Amazon orders for items not found locally
Shopping List
| Item | Quantity | Est. Cost | Store | Backup |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drawer organizer set | 1 | $22 | IKEA | Container Store |
| Storage containers (various) | 6 | $18 | IKEA | Target |
| Labels | 1 pack | $4 | IKEA | Office store |
| Fire blanket | 1 | $25 | Home Depot | Amazon |
| First aid supplies | Upgrade | $20 | CVS | Publix |
| Digital thermometer | 1 | $25 | Target | Amazon |
| Sanitizing supplies | Various | $15 | Publix | Home Depot |
| Total Estimated | $129 | $21 under budget |
Shopping Execution Log
Store Visit 1: IKEA - Sunday 11:00am
- Items Purchased:
- RATIONELL drawer organizer set: $19.99 (saved $2)
- PRUTA storage containers (17-piece): $16.99 (close to estimate)
-
DYMO labels: $5.99 (slightly over, but better quality)
-
Price Observations: Prices matched online research well, good seasonal sale on storage
- Quality Assessment: Better quality than expected for price point, should last program duration
- Shopping Efficiency: 35 minutes, easy to navigate, helpful staff for sizing questions
Store Visit 2: Home Depot - Sunday 12:15pm
- Items Purchased:
- Fire blanket (kitchen-specific): $24.99
- First aid kit upgrade: $18.99
-
Digital probe thermometer: $22.99
-
Price Observations: Fire blanket exactly as researched, thermometer $2 less than expected
- Quality Assessment: Professional-grade equipment, appropriate for intensive cooking program
- Decision Rationale: Chose higher-quality thermometer for accuracy in food safety learning
Store Visit 3: Publix - Sunday 1:00pm
- Items Purchased:
- Sanitizing spray: $6.99
- Microfiber cleaning cloths: $8.99
-
Hand sanitizer: $4.99
-
Price Observations: Premium pricing but convenient location and trusted quality
- Quality Assessment: Brand-name products with proven effectiveness
- Shopping Efficiency: 15 minutes, familiar store layout, quick checkout
Cost Analysis & Documentation
Budget Performance
- Total Planned Budget: $150
- Total Actual Spending: $136.90
- Budget Variance: $13.10 under budget
- Spending Efficiency: $136.90 for comprehensive kitchen safety setup (excellent value)
Value Assessment
| Purchase Category | Budgeted | Actual | Value Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Safety Equipment | $90 | $86.97 | 9/10 | Professional quality, will last entire program |
| Organizational | $45 | $42.97 | 8/10 | Exceeded expectations for price point |
| Cleaning Supplies | $15 | $20.97 | 7/10 | Premium pricing but convenience worth it |
Learning Outcomes
- Budget Management: Successfully stayed under budget while maintaining quality standards
- Price Research Accuracy: Online research closely matched actual prices (within $5)
- Quality Assessment Skills: Learned to evaluate construction quality and safety ratings
- Shopping Efficiency: Completed all shopping in 2.5 hours with good store routing
Future Improvements
- Budget Adjustments: Next week can allocate $15 saved toward higher-quality ingredients
- Shopping Strategy: IKEA early visit worked well, continue Sunday morning timing
- Quality Selection: Willing to pay slight premium for items used frequently or safety-critical
- Seasonal Planning: Watch for back-to-school sales on organizational items
Monday Implementation Results (August 5)
- Setup Success: All purchased items functioned perfectly for kitchen organization
- Cost Per Learning Hour: $136.90 ÷ 7 hours = $19.56 per hour (reasonable for foundational setup)
- Quality Performance: No defects or returns needed, all items met expectations
- Usage Assessment: Storage containers immediately improved workflow efficiency
Week 2: August 11-12, 2025
Lesson Focus: Knife Skills and Food Prep
Sunday Planning Session (August 11)
Research & Goal Setting
- Learning Goals: Master fundamental knife cuts using seasonal ingredients
- Ingredient Requirements: Variety of vegetables for different cutting techniques
- Research Focus: Best vegetables for knife practice, seasonal pricing, quality indicators
- Skill Development: Practice consistency and speed with cost-effective ingredients
Budget Planning
- Weekly Budget: $45 for practice ingredients (using savings from Week 1)
- Priority Spending:
- Practice vegetables (70%): onions, carrots, celery, potatoes for basic cuts
- Specialty items (20%): herbs for chiffonade, garlic for mincing
- Quality upgrade (10%): One premium ingredient to practice fine technique
Seasonal Research & Price Comparison
- Onions (3 lbs needed for extensive practice):
- Publix: $2.99/3lb bag, yellow onions, good quality
- Walmart: $2.48/3lb bag, but quality variable
- Farmer's market: $1.50/lb but premium quality
-
Decision: Farmer's market for 2 lbs premium + Publix for 1 lb backup
-
Carrots (2 lbs for julienne practice):
- Publix: $1.99/2lb bag, standard
- Whole Foods: $2.99/lb organic (premium quality for technique learning)
- Walmart: $1.78/2lb bag
- Decision: Whole Foods 1 lb + Publix 1 lb to compare technique results
Shopping List with Technique Focus
| Item | Quantity | Est. Cost | Technique Practice | Quality Need |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premium onions | 2 lbs | $3.00 | Dice consistency | High |
| Standard onions | 3 lb bag | $2.99 | Speed practice | Medium |
| Organic carrots | 1 lb | $2.99 | Julienne precision | High |
| Standard carrots | 2 lb bag | $1.99 | Volume practice | Medium |
| Celery | 1 bunch | $2.49 | Bias cuts | Medium |
| Fresh herbs (parsley) | 1 bunch | $1.99 | Chiffonade | High |
| Garlic | 1 bulb | $0.89 | Mincing technique | Medium |
| Total Estimated | $16.34 | $28.66 under budget |
Note: Significant budget remaining allows for quality upgrades or additional variety
Shopping Execution Log
Farmer's Market Visit - Sunday 10:30am
- Items Purchased:
- Sweet onions (premium): 2.1 lbs at $1.50/lb = $3.15
-
Fresh parsley (just picked): $2.00 (premium quality)
-
Quality Assessment: Exceptional quality, farmer explained storage for maximum freshness
- Learning Opportunity: Discussed seasonal onion varieties and their cooking characteristics
- Value Analysis: 20% premium cost for significantly better ingredient quality
Whole Foods Visit - Sunday 11:15am
- Items Purchased:
- Organic carrots: 1.2 lbs at $2.99/lb = $3.59
-
Organic celery: 1 bunch = $3.49
-
Price Observations: Higher than researched, but quality exceptional
- Quality Assessment: Perfect for learning precise technique, uniform sizes
- Decision Rationale: Worth premium for technique development phase
Publix Visit - Sunday 12:00pm
- Items Purchased:
- Yellow onions: 3 lb bag = $2.99
- Carrots: 2 lb bag = $1.99
-
Garlic: 1 bulb = $0.89
-
Price Observations: Exactly as researched, consistent with budget
- Quality Assessment: Standard quality, good for volume practice
- Shopping Efficiency: Quick visit, familiar layout, all items available
Cost Analysis & Documentation
Budget Performance
- Total Planned Budget: $45
- Total Actual Spending: $18.10
- Budget Variance: $26.90 under budget
- Spending Efficiency: $18.10 for comprehensive knife skill ingredients (excellent value)
Quality vs. Cost Analysis
| Item | Standard Cost | Premium Cost | Quality Difference | Learning Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | $2.99/3lb | $3.15/2.1lb | Sweeter, more consistent | High for precision practice |
| Carrots | $1.99/2lb | $3.59/1.2lb | Uniform size, better texture | High for julienne technique |
| Herbs | $1.99/bunch | $2.00/bunch | Just picked, more fragrant | Medium for chiffonade |
Learning Outcomes
- Ingredient Quality Impact: Premium ingredients significantly improved technique learning
- Seasonal Shopping: Farmer's market provided education beyond just ingredient purchase
- Budget Flexibility: Conservative planning allowed for quality upgrades during shopping
- Comparative Analysis: Side-by-side ingredient comparison enhanced learning value
Monday Implementation Results (August 12)
- Technique Performance: Premium ingredients allowed for better precision and consistency
- Cost Per Cut: Approximately $0.30 per practice technique (excellent value)
- Waste Minimization: High-quality ingredients meant less waste due to spoilage
- Learning Enhancement: Could focus on technique rather than working around ingredient quality issues
Monthly Summary Analysis
August 2025 Summary
Total Program Investment
- Planning & Shopping Time: 14 hours total (7 hours per week × 2 weeks)
- Total Budget Used: $155 of $195 allocated (79% utilization)
- Budget Remaining: $40 for September improvements
Key Learning Outcomes
- Budget Management: Consistently under budget while maintaining quality standards
- Price Research Accuracy: Online research proved reliable within 5-10% variance
- Quality Assessment: Learned to identify value in premium ingredients for skill development
- Shopping Efficiency: Developed effective multi-store routing and timing strategies
Skills Developed
- Comparative Shopping: Ability to assess value across different price points and stores
- Seasonal Awareness: Understanding how seasonal availability affects both cost and quality
- Quality Recognition: Developing eye for ingredient quality and its impact on learning
- Budget Flexibility: Learning when to adjust spending for educational benefit
Future Planning Insights
- September Budget: Can increase ingredient budget slightly due to August savings
- Shopping Strategy: Farmer's market premium ingredients provide exceptional learning value
- Quality Standards: Willing to pay 15-20% premium for ingredients used in technique development
- Seasonal Planning: Begin researching fall ingredients and their cooking applications
Assessment Rubric for Shopping & Planning
Planning Quality (25%)
- Research Thoroughness: Evidence of comprehensive ingredient and price research
- Goal Alignment: Clear connection between shopping plans and learning objectives
- Budget Strategy: Realistic budget planning with appropriate flexibility
- Seasonal Awareness: Understanding of ingredient seasonality and market conditions
Shopping Execution (25%)
- Budget Adherence: Staying within planned budget while meeting quality standards
- Efficiency: Time management and effective store routing
- Quality Assessment: Ability to evaluate and select appropriate ingredient quality
- Documentation: Complete recording of shopping decisions and outcomes
Cost Analysis (25%)
- Budget Management: Accurate tracking of spending vs. planning
- Value Assessment: Understanding relationship between cost and learning benefit
- Comparative Analysis: Ability to compare options and make informed decisions
- Future Planning: Using current experience to improve future planning
Learning Integration (25%)
- Skill Development: Evidence that shopping supports and enhances cooking skill development
- Real-World Application: Connection between shopping skills and life skills development
- Reflection Quality: Thoughtful analysis of experiences and lessons learned
- Continuous Improvement: Ongoing refinement of shopping and planning strategies
Resources for Continued Learning
Price Comparison Tools
- Grocery Store Apps: Publix, Target, Walmart apps for current pricing
- Comparison Websites: Grocery store price comparison sites
- Seasonal Guides: USDA seasonal produce availability guides
- Local Resources: Farmer's market directories and seasonal calendars
Quality Assessment References
- Produce Selection Guides: How to select fresh, high-quality ingredients
- Seasonal Cooking Resources: Understanding how seasonality affects cooking
- Storage and Preservation: Maximizing ingredient quality after purchase
- Culinary Ingredient References: Professional chef ingredient selection criteria
Budget Management Tools
- Tracking Spreadsheets: Budget vs. actual spending tracking
- Mobile Apps: Shopping list and budget management apps
- Recipe Costing: How to calculate cost per serving for recipes
- Bulk Buying Analysis: When bulk purchasing provides value
This Shopping & Planning Log serves as both a learning tool and assessment documentation, demonstrating the development of essential life skills alongside culinary education. Each entry should reflect thoughtful planning, executed learning, and continuous improvement in practical decision-making abilities.