What is the last step in cooking a battered product?

The last step in cooking a battered product is to ensure it is presented and served properly, which involves placing it in a serving container. This step is crucial for maintaining the quality and appeal of the food. After cooking, the battered product needs to be removed from the hot oil and carefully placed in a serving container, which could be a plate, basket, or another type of dish suitable for presentation.

While draining the oil, skimming the vat, and applying seasoning are all important components of the cooking process, they occur at different stages. Draining the oil and skimming the vat are usually done to maintain the oil quality and safety during cooking, whereas seasoning helps enhance the flavor of the dish. However, none of these actions represent the final presentation step, which is about how the food is served to the customer. Therefore, placing the product in a serving container is indeed the last step before it is distributed to customers, highlighting the importance of presentation in the culinary process.