What is the sixth step in the menu planning process?

The sixth step in the menu planning process involves incorporating breads and breakfast pastries. This is critical because these items play an essential role in complementing meals, especially during breakfast and brunch. Breads provide a base for various dishes, adding texture and flavor, while pastries can enhance the dining experience by offering a touch of sweetness or indulgence.

Including breads and breakfast pastries in the menu not only diversifies the options available to customers but also ensures that the menu can cater to a wide range of preferences and dietary needs. This step is positioned after more foundational components of the meal, such as proteins and main dishes, to build a balanced menu that appeals to diners.

In the context of the other options, while pastries, sides, and soups are important parts of a menu, they typically come before or after the inclusion of breads and breakfast pastries in the overall planning sequence.