Welcome to the Menu Analyser help pages. We have provided these help pages so that you should be able to find the answer to any question you have, but if you need to contact us please use the contact button on the right hand side.

How do I set up an account?
How do I create a recipe?
How do I set my ingredient costs?
How do I create a menu?
How do I get a nutritional report?
How do I get a cost report?
How do I generate a supplier order list?
An ingredient I need is missing, what do I do?
Will my recipes remain confidential?


(PDF format)

Setting Up An Account

To set up a MenuAnalyser account, please click the Join MenuAnalyser button in the grey menu bar.

From there, you just need to follow the instructions.

Creating A Recipe

Creating a recipe on MenuAnalyser is simple. First of all, you need to have an account and be logged in. You can log in using the email/password boxes on the right hand side.

Once you have logged in, you just need to select New Recipe from the Menu on the right hand side.

Next, you just need to choose a name for your recipe. This may be 'Macaroni Cheese'. Next, just enter your name in to the 'Your Name' box. Then just choose how many portions your recipe makes and enter that into the Number of Portions box.

The next stage is to choose whether you would like to see if your recipe is suitable for different special dietary requirements. You can tick the All box to check for all the Special Dietary Requirements, or simply select the ones you would like.

Now all you need to do is add your ingredients. For example, if you wanted to add 500 grams of pasta, you would enter 500 in the Weight/Quantity box, then choose Grams from the Measurement drop down box. Then just search for pasta in the box and choose the correct ingredient from the drop down box that appears. Then just click Add Ingredient. Repeat this process until you have added all of your ingredients.

You may want to enter a quantity of an ingredient, such as 4 large eggs. In this case, you enter 4 in the Weight/Quantity box, choose Large in the Measurement box, then search for egg in the ingredient box. As before, you then click Add Ingredient.

If you want to remove any ingredients, you can simply check the box next to the name of the ingredients then press the Remove Ingredients button.

Once you have added all of your ingredients, you then click Save Recipe. Your recipe is now created.

Setting Your Ingredient Costs

There are 2 main ways of setting your ingredient costs on MenuAnalyser. If you do not set any ingredient cost, then the site will simply use the default values provided by us. However, you can change these to suit you at any time. Once you have built a recipe, you are given the option to set your costs for that recipe by simply clicking the link. Once you have done this, you can then choose what unit of cost you wish to use. You can specify costs per 100g, kilogram, 100ml, litre or per unit. The unit option allows you to specify the cost of things you buy in a quantity rather than weight or volume. For example, you can put in your cost for each egg.

You can also specify all of your costs at once, using the My Ingredient Costs link in your Menu on the right hand side. This page will display all the ingredients that you have used.

Creating a menu

MenuAnalyser allows you to collect your recipes together in Menus, which then allows you to generate Supplier Order Lists for an entire menu.

To do this, you need to be logged in. Once you are logged in, please choose the New Menu option on the right hand side.

Once you have done that, you just need to choose a name for your menu. This may be 'Entire Menu', or 'Lunch Time Specials', or anything else you like.

Next, you just need to add Recipes to your menu. Simply search for your recipes using the Recipe Name box, then select the right recipe from the drop down menu that appears. Then simply click Add Recipe.

You can remove any recipes that you have already added by checking the box next to the recipe name, then clicking the Remove Recipes button.

Repeat this process until you have added all the Recipes you need and then click Save Menu. Your menu is now created.

Getting a Nutritional Report

Once you have created your recipes, you can then obtain Nutritional Reports. To access these, you need to be logged in. Once you are logged in, just choose the My Recipes link on the right hand side. From there, you just need to click on the recipe name that you require. The nutritional report is then displayed on the right hand side, per portion.

If you want to print this nutritional report, you can simply choose the PDF option below the recipe.

Getting a Cost Report

Once you have created your recipes, you can then obtain Cost Reports. To access these, you need to be logged in. Once you are logged in, just choose the My Recipes link on the right hand side. From there, you just need to click on the recipe name that you require. The cost information is then shown on the right hand side. If you would like a more detailed version which breaks down the cost to each ingredient, you can use the Cost Report button lower down the page.

If you want to print this cost report, you can simply choose the PDF option below the report.

Generate a supplier order list

Generating a supplier order list allows you to see exactly what quantity of ingredients you need to order for a certain number of portions of a recipe. To access this, you need to be logged in. Once you have logged in, you need to choose whether you want a Supplier Order List for an individual recipe or for an entire menu.

You can also view how much ingredients are costing you when you view a Supplier Order List.

If you would like a supplier order list for an individual recipe, simply head to My Recipes, then click on the name of your recipe that you require. You can then find the Supplier Order List button below. Once you have clicked this button, you need to choose how many portions you would like. Then click Generate Supplier Order List and you are then taken to your list. The ingredients are broken down in to different categories to make it easy for you when ordering.

If you would like a supplier order list for a menu, simply head to My Menus, then click on the name of your menu that you require. You can then find the Supplier Order list button beneath the details of the Menu. Once you have clicked this button, you will need to choose how many portions of each Recipe that you would like, then click Generate Supplier Order List. Your supplier order list is then displayed. The ingredients are calculated for each recipe and then brought together so you only need to make one supplier order list for your entire menu.

You can always print your supplier order list by using the PDF version button beneath the list.

Missing Ingredient

Whilst we have an extensive database of ingredients, it is possible that you may find one of the small number of ingredients that we don't currently have listed. If you do find one of these, please use the Contact Us button and let us know. We will then add the ingredient and email you back when it has been added and is ready to use.

Will my recipes remain confidential?

We guarantee that MA will not share any recipes with any third party and that no other restaurant will be able to view recipes not belonging to them.