Know your true plate cost to the cent.
Build recipes with AP-to-EP yield math, pack-size normalization, and live margin targets. Simulate price changes before they hit the menu — not after the shift.
500K+
Plates costed
12K+
Independent operators
98.4%
AI extraction accuracy
Best-in-class Plate Cost Engine for independent operators
Yield coefficients
Define trim, cook shrink, and prep loss once per ingredient. Every recipe inherits the same honest EP math your kitchen actually runs.
Pack-size normalization
Buy by case, cost by ounce. The engine normalizes purchase UOMs so line cooks and finance see the same numbers.
Margin simulation
Drag yield or price assumptions and watch food cost % move in real time — before you reprint the menu.
Worst offenders report
Surface items drifting above target food cost % so chefs fix portions or pricing before month-end.
Menu engineering views
Stars, dogs, and plowhorses by margin contribution — built from live plate costs, not last year's spreadsheet.
Multi-location rollups
Groups compare location-level food cost % against the same recipe spec — spot where execution diverges.
From raw inputs to actionable plate cost
Dynamic AP → EP conversion per ingredient
Assemble recipes from your ingredient master with purchase units and yield coefficients.
Sub-recipe and batch costing for sauces and prep items
The engine converts AP cost to EP cost per line, rolls up extended cost, and computes food cost %.
Target margin and food cost % calculators
Set target margin or food cost % — the system recommends menu price bands.
Category-level margin rollups across the menu
Adjust yield sliders to model trim loss and instantly see margin impact.
Menu prices were set years ago. Beef is up double digits, bun costs moved, and nobody rebuilt the burger card. Food cost % on the P&L looks fine because theoretical costing was never tied to what actually hits the plate.
- ✓Dynamic AP → EP conversion per ingredient
- ✓Sub-recipe and batch costing for sauces and prep items
- ✓Target margin and food cost % calculators
- ✓Category-level margin rollups across the menu
- Answer 'what does this plate cost right now?' in seconds
- Price from margin targets instead of gut feel
- Stop silent margin leaks when commodity indices move
Start using Plate Cost Engine today.
Try CulinaryInventory free — cost one dish and see if the numbers surprise you.