When is the right time to stop cooking meats, chicken, or fish so you can serve the perfect meal every time? I've compiled a list of general guidelines for using internal food temperatures and carryover cooking to gauge the doneness of your protein. Preparing a delicious meal is both art and science. I was taught in culinary school to actively use your five senses to gauge how the cooking process is going. Paying attention to the sights and sounds in the kitchen not only makes you more engaged but will develop your instincts. With enough practice, you'll begin to recognize early on