A system and method for the preparation of food, but without the requirement of weight, time and/or temperature probe usage to determine the point at which the food has completed preparation. The exemplary embodiments provide a process where the food can be cooked without the requirements of calculation or temperature probes. The described process allows the process operator to be informed when the cooking process has completed, without regard to the size, shape, weight, density, or amount of materials to be prepared. The energy required to maintain the temperature of a water bath is compared to the energy required to maintain the temperature once a food item has been placed within the water bath.