When do you activate the cook timer when cooking tenders?

The cook timer should be activated after dropping all tender pieces into the fryer. This practice ensures that the cooking time is accurately tracked for the entire batch of tenders, providing consistent results in terms of cooking duration and quality. By starting the timer only after all tenders are in the oil, you ensure that you account for any variations in cooking time that may occur if you were to drop them in at different intervals. This method is fundamental in maintaining the proper cooking procedures and ensuring food safety standards are met. Each batch of tenders requires the same amount of time to reach the desired internal temperature and achieve the ideal texture, and waiting to activate the timer aids in achieving that uniformity.