What is the first step in using a prep sheet?

The first step in using a prep sheet is to determine the next three days' worth of sales. This step is crucial because it helps to forecast demand based on anticipated customer orders. By looking at expected sales, you can make informed decisions about how much product needs to be prepared. This proactive approach enables the staff to manage inventory effectively and ensures that the kitchen is stocked appropriately to meet customer demand without overpreparing.

The other options focus on aspects of sales analysis or stock management that are important but occur later in the process. Comparing sales from last week is useful for understanding trends but does not directly inform immediate prep needs. Identifying a column from sales adds context to the data but again is not the initial action needed to prepare for upcoming orders. Lastly, subtracting from what is already in stock is part of inventory management and should be done after assessing and planning for future sales. Thus, starting with anticipated sales lays the foundation for the rest of the preparation process.