diff --git a/OPUS-BUILD-BRIEF-2.md b/OPUS-BUILD-BRIEF-2.md
index 3c4d928..1ae598e 100644
--- a/OPUS-BUILD-BRIEF-2.md
+++ b/OPUS-BUILD-BRIEF-2.md
@@ -35,7 +35,59 @@ M0–M9 are shipped and verified: toasting (browning field), spreading (knife-an
 5. **Silhouettes are gameplay** → procedural geometry for anything the player must identify or that carries physics. Generated GLBs for hero props and vessels.
 6. **The judge is the reward.** Every new criterion ships with ~5 bad lines + 3 good lines in his voice: dry, specific, never cruel except about MITEY.
 
-## 2. M10 finish line — verify the bakery (do this first)
+## 0.5 STATUS — updated 2026-07-17, read this before §2
+
+**M10 is DONE, verified and pushed** (commit `e5be266`). §2 below is history; skip it.
+**M11 is code-complete and verified, committed as WIP** — see §3, and the notes here.
+
+What M11 landed (all typechecked, all played headless via the harness):
+- `sim/ingredients.ts` — the nine-ingredient cast with the full profile from §3.1.
+- `sim/cutting.ts` — `CutSession`, patterns halve/slices/wedges/dice, slip physics,
+  juice ejection, `pieceCV`. **Note:** CV for `slices`/`halve` runs over piece WIDTHS,
+  not volumes — on a round ingredient the end slices are thinner by geometry and a
+  perfect cut still scored CV 0.40, which is not a skill test. Wedges/dice keep volumes.
+- `sim/mess.ts` — the judged mess field + solids list + mass-conserving wipe.
+- `scenes/prep.ts` — the bench: aim/bite/saw, seams, pieces fan out at the end,
+  juice stain texture, instanced solids, live `bench: clean/smeared/a crime scene`.
+  Session end does NOT auto-exit — ENTER hands off, so you can wipe first.
+- `judging.ts` — `PrepResult`, `cutEvennessCriterion` (The Pieces, w 1.3),
+  `benchCriterion` (The Bench, w 0.9), `clarkEvans` extracted for M15's toppings,
+  criteria tagged with `group` and the scorecard grouped by station.
+- `lines.ts` — 8 lines each for `cutcv` and `bench`.
+- Harness: `t.prep(ing, pattern, knife)`, `t.chop({pos, dy, wobble, press})`,
+  `t.wipe(passes)`, `t.prepStats()`, plus `t.start()`, `t.day(n)`, `t.pick(id)`, `t.slice()`.
+
+Measured on the bench (repeat these before changing tuning):
+- Even deliberate slices (dinner knife, 0.045 u/frame) → CV ~0, bench mass 0.51.
+- Sloppy positions + frantic speed (0.3 u/frame) → CV 0.72, mass 18.8, 16 solids, "a crime scene".
+- Press a dinner knife on a tomato without sawing → it skates: 1 slip, aim jumped 0 → 0.12.
+- Same press with The Best Thing → bites in 7 frames, 0 slips (sharp edges sink on downforce).
+- Wipe two passes → mass 0.51 → 0.09.
+
+**M11 is NOT finished — remaining before it can be called done:**
+1. No order actually routes through the bench yet. `Game.startPrep()` exists and the
+   harness drives it, but `Order.prep?: PrepStep[]` is declared and unused — no day
+   sends you there. Wire a day-10 prep order and play it end to end.
+2. `dice` two-phase and `wedges` are implemented in the sim but never driven —
+   no rotate-the-board input, no verification. M14 needs the dice; do it there or here.
+3. The pieces fan-out is placeholder-grade (cylinders). Pieces aren't physics bodies yet.
+4. The wipe is the same drag as cutting, disambiguated only by distance from the
+   ingredient — it needs a real cloth tool/mode before it reads to a stranger.
+5. No screenshots taken of the bench yet. Do that when the visuals are past placeholder.
+
+**BLOCKER — the asset farm is down for 3D.** Every `bg_remove_local` job fails:
+m4pro's disk is 100% full (118MB free; ~3.4TB is `~/Music` — hands off, that's John's).
+Flux 2D still works — `bruschetta_hero.png` and `wonderslice_bag.png` generated fine and
+are committed. The whole 3D cast (bakery loaves, cutting board, prep-bench props) is
+stuck at the cutout stage. `mb settings` is owner-only (403), so re-routing the
+bg_remove lane needs John. Once there's space: `bash scripts/gen-assets.sh bakery`
+then `bash scripts/gen-assets.sh prep` — retry-once is now built into `gen_3d`, seeds
+are bumped, and the prep cast + 2D are already queued in the script. Everything
+degrades gracefully: `loadProp` catches, so the procedural stand-ins just stay.
+
+---
+
+## 2. M10 finish line — verify the bakery (DONE — kept for the record)
 
 Everything compiles and day 9 reaches the drawer with the right ticket (verified: chips show `the bakery loaf / doorstop — slice it yourself`, timer reads "they are waiting", and the drawer contains `bread_knife` AND `the_best_thing`). Remaining:
 
diff --git a/public/assets/img/bruschetta_hero.png b/public/assets/img/bruschetta_hero.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..665b509
Binary files /dev/null and b/public/assets/img/bruschetta_hero.png differ
diff --git a/public/assets/img/wonderslice_bag.png b/public/assets/img/wonderslice_bag.png
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..69faf15
Binary files /dev/null and b/public/assets/img/wonderslice_bag.png differ
diff --git a/src/dev.ts b/src/dev.ts
index 8126449..4c43d2d 100644
--- a/src/dev.ts
+++ b/src/dev.ts
@@ -203,6 +203,77 @@ export function installDevHarness(app: App, game: Game): void {
       return !drawer.root.visible;
     },
 
+    /** Enter the prep bench with an ingredient, a knife, and a pattern. */
+    prep(ing = 'tomato', pattern: { kind: string; n?: number } = { kind: 'slices', n: 5 }, knife = 'dinner_knife') {
+      (game as unknown as { startPrep(i: string, p: unknown, k: string): void }).startPrep(ing, pattern, knife);
+      run(3);
+    },
+
+    /**
+     * One cut at the prep bench: aim at `pos` (-0.5..0.5 along the axis),
+     * bite, saw to completion. `press` seconds of leaning without sawing
+     * first, to invite the slip.
+     */
+    chop(opts: { pos?: number; dy?: number; wobble?: number; press?: number } = {}) {
+      const { pos = 0, dy = 0.045, wobble = 0, press = 0 } = opts;
+      const pv = game.prepView as unknown as {
+        session: { phase: string; aimPos: number; progress: number; slips: number; cuts: number[] };
+      };
+      const s = pv.session;
+      const ing = (game.prepView as unknown as { ing: { size: number } }).ing;
+      run(2);
+      const Z = -0.2;
+      const X = () => s.aimPos * ing.size; // slip moves the aim; follow it
+      point(pos * ing.size, 1.0, Z, false);
+      run(2);
+      point(pos * ing.size, 1.0, Z, true);
+      run(1);
+      if (press > 0) {
+        // Lean on it without sawing.
+        for (let i = 0; i < Math.round(press * 60); i++) {
+          point(X(), 1.0, Z, true);
+          run(1);
+          if (s.phase === 'aim') break; // it slipped and threw the knife off
+        }
+      }
+      let y = 1.0;
+      let dir = -1;
+      let f = 0;
+      while ((s.phase === 'bite' || s.phase === 'saw') && f < 3000) {
+        y += dir * dy;
+        if (y < 0.8 || y > 1.3) dir = -dir;
+        point(X() + (f % 2 ? wobble : -wobble), y, Z, true);
+        run(1);
+        f++;
+      }
+      app.input.down = false;
+      run(2);
+      return { phase: s.phase, cuts: [...s.cuts], slips: s.slips, frames: f };
+    },
+
+    /** Drag the cloth across the board `passes` times. */
+    wipe(passes = 1, vAt = 0.5) {
+      const bw = 4.6;
+      const bd = 2.4;
+      for (let p = 0; p < passes; p++) {
+        for (let i = 0; i <= 40; i++) {
+          const u = p % 2 ? 1 - i / 40 : i / 40;
+          const wx = (0.15 + u * 0.7) * bw - bw / 2;
+          const wz = (vAt - 0.5) * bd;
+          point(wx, 0.12, wz, true);
+          run(1);
+        }
+      }
+      app.input.down = false;
+      run(2);
+      return game.prepView.mess.stats();
+    },
+
+    prepStats() {
+      const r = game.prepView.result();
+      return { ...r, bench: game.prepView.mess.stats(), word: game.prepView.mess.benchWord() };
+    },
+
     /**
      * Cut a slice off the loaf. `dy` is world-units per frame of saw motion
      * (0.05 ≈ deliberate, 0.4 ≈ slamming); `wobble` is sideways drift per frame.
diff --git a/src/game/game.ts b/src/game/game.ts
index 845e9a9..1d07544 100644
--- a/src/game/game.ts
+++ b/src/game/game.ts
@@ -2,6 +2,10 @@ import type { App } from '../core/app';
 import { Rng } from '../core/rng';
 import { KitchenView } from '../scenes/kitchen';
 import { SlicerView } from '../scenes/slicer';
+import { PrepView } from '../scenes/prep';
+import type { CutPattern } from '../sim/cutting';
+import type { IngredientId } from '../sim/ingredients';
+import type { PrepResult } from './judging';
 import { JudgeView } from '../scenes/judge';
 import { DrawerView } from '../scenes/drawer';
 import { TOOLS, type ToolId } from '../sim/cutlery';
@@ -30,6 +34,9 @@ export class Game {
   private judgeView: JudgeView;
   private drawer: DrawerView;
   private slicer: SlicerView;
+  private prep: PrepView;
+  /** What the prep bench reported for the current order, if it ran. */
+  private prepResult: PrepResult | null = null;
   /** The pre-toast drawer trip on loaf days: you're after a bread knife. */
   private knifeTrip = false;
   private rng = new Rng(20260716);
@@ -47,13 +54,16 @@ export class Game {
     this.judgeView = new JudgeView(app);
     this.drawer = new DrawerView(app, 7);
     this.slicer = new SlicerView(app);
+    this.prep = new PrepView(app);
     app.scene.add(this.kitchen.root);
     app.scene.add(this.judgeView.root);
     app.scene.add(this.drawer.root);
     app.scene.add(this.slicer.root);
+    app.scene.add(this.prep.root);
     this.judgeView.root.visible = false;
     this.drawer.root.visible = false;
     this.slicer.root.visible = false;
+    this.prep.root.visible = false;
 
     this.ticket = new Panel('ticket');
     this.ticketEl = el('div', 'ticket-body', this.ticket.root);
@@ -120,6 +130,29 @@ export class Game {
   get slicerView(): SlicerView {
     return this.slicer;
   }
+  get prepView(): PrepView {
+    return this.prep;
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Send the player to the prep bench. Orders with prep steps route through
+   * here (M12+); the harness drives it directly for verification.
+   */
+  startPrep(ingredient: IngredientId, pattern: CutPattern, knife: ToolId = 'dinner_knife', ask = ''): void {
+    this.prep.reset(ingredient, knife, pattern, ask || `${pattern.kind} the ${ingredient.replace(/_/g, ' ')}`);
+    this.kitchen.root.visible = false;
+    this.drawer.root.visible = false;
+    this.slicer.root.visible = false;
+    this.prep.root.visible = true;
+    this.app.setView(this.prep);
+    this.prep.onDone = (result) => {
+      this.prepResult = result;
+      this.prep.root.visible = false;
+      this.kitchen.root.visible = true;
+      this.app.setView(this.kitchen);
+      this.kitchen.flash('prep done — the bench remembers');
+    };
+  }
 
   /** Test hook: jump straight to a day, through the real order table. */
   setDay(day: number): void {
@@ -180,6 +213,7 @@ export class Game {
     if (!o.text) o.text = `${o.browningName}, ${o.amount} ${o.spread === 'mitey' ? 'MITEY' : o.spread}. ${o.noChar ? 'No burnt bits.' : ''}`;
     this.order = o;
     this.orderSeconds = 0;
+    this.prepResult = null;
     this.timing = true;
 
     const s = this.judgeView.release();
@@ -238,7 +272,7 @@ export class Game {
     this.timing = false;
     const seconds = this.orderSeconds;
     const slice = this.kitchen.currentSlice;
-    const v = judge(slice, this.order, this.kitchen.toolId, seconds);
+    const v = judge(slice, this.order, this.kitchen.toolId, seconds, this.prepResult ?? undefined);
     this.save.total += v.total;
     const key = `day${this.order.day}`;
     this.save.best[key] = Math.max(this.save.best[key] ?? 0, v.total);
diff --git a/src/game/judging.ts b/src/game/judging.ts
index 091d6c7..429ff85 100644
--- a/src/game/judging.ts
+++ b/src/game/judging.ts
@@ -12,6 +12,19 @@ export interface Criterion {
   weight: number;
   /** What the number actually was, in words. */
   detail: string;
+  /** Which station earned it — the scorecard groups by this on prep orders. */
+  group?: 'prep' | 'toast' | 'spread';
+}
+
+/** What the prep bench hands the judge, when the order had prep on it. */
+export interface PrepResult {
+  /** Coefficient of variation of piece volumes, from sim/cutting pieceCV. */
+  cv?: number;
+  pieces?: number;
+  patternName?: string;
+  slips?: number;
+  /** From sim/mess Mess.stats() at serve time. */
+  bench?: { mass: number; spreadFrac: number; solids: number };
 }
 
 export type Grade = 'S' | 'A' | 'B' | 'C' | 'F';
@@ -35,7 +48,13 @@ export const COVER_FLOOR = 0.06;
  * Every number here is read off the same fields the player was pushing around
  * with the knife, so the scorecard can always point at something real.
  */
-export function judge(slice: Slice, order: Order, usedTool: ToolId, seconds: number): Verdict {
+export function judge(
+  slice: Slice,
+  order: Order,
+  usedTool: ToolId,
+  seconds: number,
+  prep?: PrepResult,
+): Verdict {
   const b = slice.browning.stats(slice.mask);
   const s = slice.spread.stats(slice.mask);
   const d = slice.damage.stats(slice.mask);
@@ -54,8 +73,11 @@ export function judge(slice: Slice, order: Order, usedTool: ToolId, seconds: num
   const covered = spreadStdevOverCovered(slice, COVER_FLOOR);
 
   const criteria: Criterion[] = [
+    ...(prep?.cv !== undefined ? [cutEvennessCriterion(prep.cv, prep.pieces ?? 0, prep.patternName ?? 'cut')] : []),
+    ...(prep?.bench ? [benchCriterion(prep.bench)] : []),
     {
       key: 'browning',
+      group: 'toast',
       label: 'Browning',
       score: clamp01(1 - Math.abs(b.mean - order.browning) / 0.3),
       weight: 1.5,
@@ -63,6 +85,7 @@ export function judge(slice: Slice, order: Order, usedTool: ToolId, seconds: num
     },
     {
       key: 'evenness',
+      group: 'toast',
       label: 'Evenness',
       score: clamp01(1 - b.stdev / 0.2),
       weight: 1.1,
@@ -70,6 +93,7 @@ export function judge(slice: Slice, order: Order, usedTool: ToolId, seconds: num
     },
     {
       key: 'coverage',
+      group: 'spread',
       label: 'Coverage',
       score: clamp01((coverage - 0.15) / 0.75),
       weight: 1.3,
@@ -77,6 +101,7 @@ export function judge(slice: Slice, order: Order, usedTool: ToolId, seconds: num
     },
     {
       key: 'uniformity',
+      group: 'spread',
       label: 'Uniformity',
       score: clamp01(1 - covered / 0.22),
       weight: 0.9,
@@ -84,6 +109,7 @@ export function judge(slice: Slice, order: Order, usedTool: ToolId, seconds: num
     },
     {
       key: 'char',
+      group: 'toast',
       label: 'Char',
       score: order.noChar ? clamp01(1 - charFrac / 0.12) : clamp01(1 - charFrac / 0.45),
       weight: order.noChar ? 1.3 : 0.5,
@@ -91,6 +117,7 @@ export function judge(slice: Slice, order: Order, usedTool: ToolId, seconds: num
     },
     {
       key: 'integrity',
+      group: 'spread',
       label: 'Integrity',
       score: clamp01(1 - d.mean / 0.06),
       weight: 1.2,
@@ -101,6 +128,7 @@ export function judge(slice: Slice, order: Order, usedTool: ToolId, seconds: num
     ...(def.separates ? [consistencyCriterion(slice)] : []),
     {
       key: 'amount',
+      group: 'spread',
       label: 'The Right Amount',
       score: amountScore(s.mean, lo, hi, target),
       weight: 1.4,
@@ -154,7 +182,7 @@ export function judge(slice: Slice, order: Order, usedTool: ToolId, seconds: num
 function cutCriterion(slice: Slice, order: Order): Criterion {
   const c = slice.cut;
   if (!c) {
-    return { key: 'cut', label: 'The Cut', score: 0.1, weight: 1.3, detail: 'it was never sliced' };
+    return { key: 'cut', group: 'prep', label: 'The Cut', score: 0.1, weight: 1.3, detail: 'it was never sliced' };
   }
   const [lo, hi] = order.cutBand ?? [0.16, 0.24];
   const mid = (lo + hi) / 2;
@@ -172,6 +200,7 @@ function cutCriterion(slice: Slice, order: Order): Criterion {
     c.wedge > 0.45 ? 'a full wedge' : c.wedge > 0.18 ? 'a bit wedged' : c.squash > 0.3 ? 'squashed' : 'clean';
   return {
     key: 'cut',
+    group: 'prep',
     label: 'The Cut',
     score,
     weight: 1.3,
@@ -200,21 +229,7 @@ function rindCriterion(slice: Slice, name: string): Criterion {
   }
   // Mask area in UV units — the bread is the study region, not the unit square.
   const area = slice.mask.data.reduce((a, v) => a + (v > 0.5 ? 1 : 0), 0) / (slice.mask.n * slice.mask.n);
-  let sum = 0;
-  for (let i = 0; i < n; i++) {
-    let best = Infinity;
-    for (let j = 0; j < n; j++) {
-      if (i === j) continue;
-      const du = pts[i].u - pts[j].u;
-      const dv = pts[i].v - pts[j].v;
-      const d2 = du * du + dv * dv;
-      if (d2 < best) best = d2;
-    }
-    sum += Math.sqrt(best);
-  }
-  const observed = sum / n;
-  const expected = 0.5 * Math.sqrt(area / n);
-  const R = observed / expected;
+  const R = clarkEvans(pts, area);
   const score = clamp01(R / 0.95);
   const word = R < 0.45 ? 'one clump' : R < 0.75 ? 'clumped' : R < 1.05 ? 'scattered' : 'evenly strewn';
   return {
@@ -260,6 +275,74 @@ function consistencyCriterion(slice: Slice): Criterion {
   };
 }
 
+/**
+ * Clark–Evans nearest-neighbour index over a point set in a study region of
+ * `area` (UV² units). R ≈ 0 one clump, 1 random, >1 deliberately even. Used
+ * by the rind today; topping distribution (M15) takes the same point list.
+ */
+export function clarkEvans(pts: { u: number; v: number }[], area: number): number {
+  const n = pts.length;
+  if (n < 2 || area <= 0) return 0;
+  let sum = 0;
+  for (let i = 0; i < n; i++) {
+    let best = Infinity;
+    for (let j = 0; j < n; j++) {
+      if (i === j) continue;
+      const du = pts[i].u - pts[j].u;
+      const dv = pts[i].v - pts[j].v;
+      const d2 = du * du + dv * dv;
+      if (d2 < best) best = d2;
+    }
+    sum += Math.sqrt(best);
+  }
+  const observed = sum / n;
+  const expected = 0.5 * Math.sqrt(area / n);
+  return observed / expected;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Piece evenness off the prep bench: the CV of piece volumes, banded the way
+ * the live readout words it. Anyone can cut five pieces; the marks are for
+ * five pieces that could be mistaken for each other.
+ */
+export function cutEvennessCriterion(cv: number, pieces: number, patternName: string): Criterion {
+  const score = clamp01(1 - (cv - 0.05) / 0.32);
+  const word = cv < 0.08 ? 'even' : cv < 0.16 ? 'respectable' : cv < 0.25 ? 'uneven' : 'a lottery';
+  return {
+    key: 'cutcv',
+    group: 'prep',
+    label: 'The Pieces',
+    score,
+    weight: 1.3,
+    detail: `${pieces} ${patternName}, CV ${cv.toFixed(3)} — ${word}`,
+  };
+}
+
+/**
+ * The state of the board at serve time. Weighted mildly (0.9): mess is a
+ * running gag before it's a crime, but it IS on the card.
+ */
+export function benchCriterion(bench: { mass: number; spreadFrac: number; solids: number }): Criterion {
+  const badness = bench.spreadFrac * 3 + bench.solids * 0.04 + bench.mass * 0.4;
+  const score = clamp01(1 - badness / 1.1);
+  const worst =
+    bench.solids >= 3 && bench.solids * 0.04 > bench.spreadFrac * 3
+      ? `${bench.solids} bits on my board`
+      : bench.spreadFrac > 0.08
+        ? `juice over ${Math.round(bench.spreadFrac * 100)}% of it`
+        : badness < 0.25
+          ? 'clean'
+          : 'smeared';
+  return {
+    key: 'bench',
+    group: 'prep',
+    label: 'The Bench',
+    score,
+    weight: 0.9,
+    detail: worst,
+  };
+}
+
 function cap(s: string): string {
   return s.charAt(0).toUpperCase() + s.slice(1);
 }
diff --git a/src/game/lines.ts b/src/game/lines.ts
index bdf0a12..368d277 100644
--- a/src/game/lines.ts
+++ b/src/game/lines.ts
@@ -159,6 +159,34 @@ const BANK: Bank = {
       'Correct utensil. Small thing. Not nothing.',
     ],
   },
+  cutcv: {
+    bad: [
+      'These pieces are related, at best. Distant cousins.',
+      'One of these is a slice. The rest are opinions.',
+      'I lined them up by size. That took a while. That is the problem.',
+      'You cut this the way weather cuts a coastline.',
+      'Every piece is a surprise. Nobody ordered surprises.',
+    ],
+    good: [
+      'Even pieces. Actually even. I measured.',
+      'You could deal these like cards.',
+      'Uniform. The knife was under instruction, and it listened.',
+    ],
+  },
+  bench: {
+    bad: [
+      'There is juice on everything. Everything.',
+      "Somebody's seeds are on my floor.",
+      'The board looks like it lost an argument.',
+      'You cooked here the way storms cook.',
+      'I am not inspecting the food yet. I am inspecting the aftermath.',
+    ],
+    good: [
+      "A clean board. You'd be surprised how rare.",
+      'The bench is spotless. I checked the corners.',
+      'Somebody wiped as they went. Somebody was raised right.',
+    ],
+  },
 };
 
 /** MITEY gets its own vocabulary. */
diff --git a/src/game/orders.ts b/src/game/orders.ts
index e752f90..68d0bd0 100644
--- a/src/game/orders.ts
+++ b/src/game/orders.ts
@@ -2,6 +2,19 @@ import { BRANDS, type BreadId } from '../sim/bread';
 import type { AmountClass, SpreadId } from '../sim/spreads';
 import type { ToolId } from '../sim/cutlery';
 import { CUT_BANDS, type CutClass } from '../sim/slicing';
+import type { CutPattern } from '../sim/cutting';
+import type { IngredientId } from '../sim/ingredients';
+
+/**
+ * A stop at the prep bench before (or instead of) the toaster. M11 ships the
+ * 'cut' kind; juicing, zesting, grating and roasting arrive with their
+ * stations (M12+) and extend this union.
+ */
+export interface PrepStep {
+  kind: 'cut';
+  ingredient: IngredientId;
+  pattern: CutPattern;
+}
 
 export interface Order {
   day: number;
@@ -28,6 +41,8 @@ export interface Order {
   text: string;
   /** Who's asking. */
   who: string;
+  /** Work at the prep bench, when the order has any. */
+  prep?: PrepStep[];
 }
 
 export const BROWNING_NAMES: [number, string][] = [
diff --git a/src/scenes/judge.ts b/src/scenes/judge.ts
index d285d67..4411850 100644
--- a/src/scenes/judge.ts
+++ b/src/scenes/judge.ts
@@ -105,7 +105,20 @@ export class JudgeView implements View {
     this.orderEl.textContent = `Day ${order.day} · ${order.who} asked for ${order.browningName}, ${order.amount} ${order.spread === 'mitey' ? 'MITEY' : order.spread}`;
 
     clear(this.cardEl);
-    for (const c of verdict.criteria) {
+    // On prep orders the card is long enough to need signposts: group rows by
+    // station. Ordinary toast orders keep the flat card they always had.
+    const grouped = verdict.criteria.some((c) => c.group === 'prep');
+    const headers: Record<string, string> = { prep: 'THE PREP', toast: 'THE TOAST', spread: 'THE SPREAD' };
+    let lastGroup: string | undefined;
+    const rank = (g?: string) => (g === 'prep' ? 0 : g === 'toast' ? 1 : g === 'spread' ? 2 : 3);
+    const ordered = grouped
+      ? [...verdict.criteria].sort((a, b) => rank(a.group) - rank(b.group))
+      : verdict.criteria;
+    for (const c of ordered) {
+      if (grouped && c.group !== lastGroup) {
+        lastGroup = c.group;
+        if (c.group) el('div', 'crit-group', this.cardEl, headers[c.group]);
+      }
       const row = el('div', 'crit', this.cardEl);
       el('span', 'crit-name', row, c.label);
       const bar = el('span', 'crit-bar', row);
diff --git a/src/scenes/prep.ts b/src/scenes/prep.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c4edd41
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/scenes/prep.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,429 @@
+import * as THREE from 'three';
+import type { App, View } from '../core/app';
+import { audio } from '../core/audio';
+import { INGREDIENTS, type Ingredient, type IngredientId } from '../sim/ingredients';
+import {
+  aimCut,
+  beginBite,
+  cutFrame,
+  cvWord,
+  liftKnife,
+  newCutSession,
+  pieceCV,
+  pieceVolumes,
+  plannedCuts,
+  type CutPattern,
+  type CutSession,
+} from '../sim/cutting';
+import { Mess } from '../sim/mess';
+import { makeCutleryMesh, TOOLS, type ToolId } from '../sim/cutlery';
+import type { PrepResult } from '../game/judging';
+import { el, Panel } from '../ui/hud';
+import { Rng } from '../core/rng';
+import { loadProp } from './assets';
+
+const BOARD_Y = 0.06;
+const BOARD_W = 4.6;
+const BOARD_D = 2.4;
+
+/**
+ * The prep bench. One board, one knife, one ingredient at a time, and a mess
+ * field that remembers everything you did to all three.
+ *
+ * Controls mirror the slicer on purpose: horizontal mouse aims the cut, press
+ * bites, vertical strokes saw. The two new verbs are the ingredient's, not
+ * yours: slippery skin skates if you lean without sawing, and wet flesh
+ * juices the board. Drag on the empty board (off the ingredient) to wipe.
+ */
+export class PrepView implements View {
+  readonly root = new THREE.Group();
+  readonly mess = new Mess(96);
+
+  private session: CutSession | null = null;
+  private ing!: Ingredient;
+  private ingMesh: THREE.Group | null = null;
+  private pieces: THREE.Group | null = null;
+  private seams: THREE.Mesh[] = [];
+  private knifeMesh!: THREE.Group;
+  private rng = new Rng(20260717);
+
+  private messTexData: Uint8Array;
+  private messTex: THREE.DataTexture;
+  private messVersion = -1;
+  private solidsMesh: THREE.InstancedMesh;
+
+  private ray = new THREE.Raycaster();
+  private planePt = new THREE.Vector3();
+  private plane = new THREE.Plane(new THREE.Vector3(0, 0, 1), 0.2);
+  private boardPlane = new THREE.Plane(new THREE.Vector3(0, 1, 0), -(BOARD_Y * 2));
+  private prev = new THREE.Vector2();
+  private hasPrev = false;
+  private wipePrev: THREE.Vector3 | null = null;
+  private sawPhase = 0;
+  private doneTimer = 0;
+
+  private panel: Panel;
+  private askEl!: HTMLElement;
+  private cutsEl!: HTMLElement;
+  private progFill!: HTMLElement;
+  private benchEl!: HTMLElement;
+  private hintEl!: HTMLElement;
+
+  onDone: ((result: PrepResult) => void) | null = null;
+
+  constructor(private app: App) {
+    this.buildScenery();
+    const n = this.mess.field.n;
+    this.messTexData = new Uint8Array(n * n * 4);
+    this.messTex = new THREE.DataTexture(this.messTexData, n, n, THREE.RGBAFormat);
+    this.messTex.minFilter = THREE.LinearFilter;
+    this.messTex.magFilter = THREE.LinearFilter;
+    const stain = new THREE.Mesh(
+      new THREE.PlaneGeometry(BOARD_W, BOARD_D),
+      new THREE.MeshBasicMaterial({ map: this.messTex, transparent: true, depthWrite: false }),
+    );
+    stain.rotation.x = -Math.PI / 2;
+    stain.position.y = BOARD_Y * 2 + 0.004;
+    this.root.add(stain);
+
+    // Solids: seeds and skins, instanced like the rind bits.
+    const seedGeo = new THREE.SphereGeometry(0.028, 8, 6);
+    seedGeo.scale(1, 0.45, 0.72);
+    this.solidsMesh = new THREE.InstancedMesh(
+      seedGeo,
+      new THREE.MeshStandardMaterial({ color: 0xf0e6c8, roughness: 0.6 }),
+      256,
+    );
+    this.solidsMesh.count = 0;
+    this.solidsMesh.castShadow = true;
+    this.root.add(this.solidsMesh);
+
+    this.panel = new Panel('prep-panel');
+    this.buildUi();
+    this.panel.hide();
+  }
+
+  private buildUi(): void {
+    const p = this.panel.root;
+    const card = el('div', 'slicer-card', p);
+    el('div', 'drawer-lbl', card, 'PREP IT');
+    this.askEl = el('div', 'slicer-ask', card, '');
+    this.cutsEl = el('div', 'slicer-thick', card, '');
+    const bar = el('div', 'timer-bar', card);
+    this.progFill = el('div', 'timer-fill', bar);
+    this.benchEl = el('div', 'slicer-wobble', card, '');
+    this.hintEl = el('div', 'drawer-hint', p, '');
+  }
+
+  private buildScenery(): void {
+    const bench = new THREE.Mesh(
+      new THREE.BoxGeometry(24, 0.4, 12),
+      new THREE.MeshStandardMaterial({ color: 0x4a3524, roughness: 0.85 }),
+    );
+    bench.position.y = -0.2;
+    bench.receiveShadow = true;
+    this.root.add(bench);
+    const board = new THREE.Mesh(
+      new THREE.BoxGeometry(BOARD_W, BOARD_Y * 2, BOARD_D),
+      new THREE.MeshStandardMaterial({ color: 0xa87c4f, roughness: 0.7 }),
+    );
+    board.position.y = BOARD_Y;
+    board.receiveShadow = true;
+    board.castShadow = true;
+    this.root.add(board);
+    void loadProp('/assets/models/cutting_board.glb', 2.2)
+      .then((prop) => {
+        prop.position.y = BOARD_Y;
+        board.visible = false;
+        this.root.add(prop);
+      })
+      .catch(() => undefined);
+  }
+
+  /** Procedural stand-in silhouettes — the shapes carry the physics. */
+  private buildIngredientMesh(ing: Ingredient): THREE.Group {
+    const g = new THREE.Group();
+    const skin = new THREE.MeshStandardMaterial({
+      color: new THREE.Color().setRGB(...ing.colors.skin, THREE.SRGBColorSpace),
+      roughness: 0.55,
+    });
+    let mesh: THREE.Mesh;
+    const r = ing.size / 2;
+    switch (ing.shape) {
+      case 'ovoid': {
+        mesh = new THREE.Mesh(new THREE.SphereGeometry(r, 28, 20), skin);
+        mesh.scale.set(1.25, 0.92, 0.92);
+        break;
+      }
+      case 'block': {
+        mesh = new THREE.Mesh(new THREE.BoxGeometry(ing.size, ing.size * 0.6, ing.size * 0.7), skin);
+        break;
+      }
+      case 'wedge': {
+        mesh = new THREE.Mesh(new THREE.CylinderGeometry(r, r, ing.size * 0.5, 24, 1, false, 0, Math.PI / 2.2), skin);
+        mesh.rotation.y = Math.PI / 4;
+        break;
+      }
+      case 'bulb': {
+        mesh = new THREE.Mesh(new THREE.SphereGeometry(r, 20, 14), skin);
+        mesh.scale.set(1, 0.85, 1);
+        break;
+      }
+      default:
+        mesh = new THREE.Mesh(new THREE.SphereGeometry(r, 28, 20), skin);
+    }
+    mesh.castShadow = true;
+    mesh.receiveShadow = true;
+    g.add(mesh);
+    g.position.y = BOARD_Y * 2 + (ing.shape === 'block' ? ing.size * 0.3 : r * (ing.shape === 'bulb' ? 0.85 : 0.92));
+    return g;
+  }
+
+  /** A fresh ingredient and a fresh session. */
+  reset(ingredientId: IngredientId, knife: ToolId, pattern: CutPattern, askText: string): void {
+    this.ing = INGREDIENTS[ingredientId];
+    this.session = newCutSession(this.ing, knife, pattern);
+    if (this.ingMesh) this.root.remove(this.ingMesh);
+    if (this.pieces) this.root.remove(this.pieces);
+    this.pieces = null;
+    for (const s of this.seams) this.root.remove(s);
+    this.seams = [];
+    this.ingMesh = this.buildIngredientMesh(this.ing);
+    this.root.add(this.ingMesh);
+    if (this.knifeMesh) this.root.remove(this.knifeMesh);
+    this.knifeMesh = makeCutleryMesh(TOOLS[knife]);
+    this.root.add(this.knifeMesh);
+    this.mess.reset();
+    this.askEl.textContent = askText;
+    this.doneTimer = 0;
+    this.hasPrev = false;
+    this.wipePrev = null;
+    this.hintEl.textContent = 'aim · press on it and saw up-down · drag the board to wipe';
+  }
+
+  enter(): void {
+    this.panel.show();
+  }
+  exit(): void {
+    this.panel.hide();
+  }
+
+  /** Board-local UV under the pointer, if the ray hits the board. */
+  private boardUV(): { u: number; v: number } | null {
+    const pt = new THREE.Vector3();
+    if (!this.ray.ray.intersectPlane(this.boardPlane, pt)) return null;
+    const u = (pt.x + BOARD_W / 2) / BOARD_W;
+    const v = (pt.z + BOARD_D / 2) / BOARD_D;
+    if (u < 0 || u > 1 || v < 0 || v > 1) return null;
+    return { u, v };
+  }
+
+  update(dt: number): void {
+    const inp = this.app.input;
+    this.app.camera.position.set(1.2, 2.3, 4.4);
+    this.app.camera.lookAt(0.6, 0.5, -0.1);
+    const s = this.session;
+    if (!s) return;
+
+    this.ray.setFromCamera(inp.ndc, this.app.camera);
+    this.plane.set(new THREE.Vector3(0, 0, 1), 0.2);
+    const hit = this.ray.ray.intersectPlane(this.plane, this.planePt);
+
+    // Cutting happens on the vertical plane near the ingredient; wiping on the
+    // board everywhere else. "Near" = within a size of the centre.
+    const nearIngredient = hit && Math.abs(this.planePt.x) < this.ing.size * 0.85 && s.phase !== 'done';
+
+    if (s.phase !== 'done' && nearIngredient && hit) {
+      if (s.phase === 'aim') {
+        aimCut(s, this.planePt.x / this.ing.size);
+        if (inp.down) {
+          beginBite(s);
+          audio.clatter(0.15, 1.8);
+        }
+      } else if (inp.down && this.hasPrev) {
+        const dy = this.planePt.y - this.prev.y;
+        const dx = this.planePt.x - this.prev.x;
+        const f = cutFrame(s, dy, dx, dt, () => this.rng.next());
+        if (Math.abs(dy) > 0.004) {
+          this.sawPhase += Math.abs(dy) * 3;
+          audio.scrape(0.4, (Math.abs(dy) / Math.max(dt, 1e-3)) * 0.22);
+        }
+        this.applyFrame(f, dy);
+      } else if (!inp.down) {
+        liftKnife(s);
+      }
+    } else if (inp.down) {
+      // Off the ingredient with the button down: the cloth.
+      const uv = this.boardUV();
+      if (uv && this.wipePrev) {
+        this.mess.wipe(this.wipePrev.x, this.wipePrev.y, uv.u, uv.v);
+      }
+      if (uv) this.wipePrev = new THREE.Vector3(uv.u, uv.v, 0);
+    }
+    if (!inp.down) this.wipePrev = null;
+
+    if (s.phase === 'done') {
+      this.doneTimer += dt;
+      // No auto-exit: the bench is judged at serve, so the moment after the
+      // last cut is exactly when you'd want the cloth. ENTER hands it over.
+      this.hintEl.textContent = 'done — wipe the board if you dare care · ENTER takes it to the kitchen';
+      if (inp.justPressed('Enter') && this.onDone) {
+        const result = this.result();
+        const cb = this.onDone;
+        this.onDone = null;
+        cb(result);
+        return;
+      }
+    }
+
+    this.prev.set(this.planePt.x, this.planePt.y);
+    this.hasPrev = !!hit;
+    this.positionKnife(s);
+    this.syncMess();
+    this.updateHud(s);
+  }
+
+  /** What the judge reads. Snapshot at any time; final after onDone. */
+  result(): PrepResult {
+    const s = this.session!;
+    return {
+      cv: pieceCV(s),
+      pieces: pieceVolumes(s).length,
+      patternName: s.pattern.kind === 'halve' ? 'halves' : s.pattern.kind,
+      slips: s.slips,
+      bench: this.mess.stats(),
+    };
+  }
+
+  private applyFrame(f: ReturnType<typeof cutFrame>, dy: number): void {
+    const s = this.session!;
+    const cutWorldX = s.aimPos * this.ing.size;
+    const u = (cutWorldX + BOARD_W / 2) / BOARD_W;
+    const v = 0.5;
+    if (f.juice > 0) {
+      // Sprayed along the blade (board Z), the side picked by the stroke.
+      const side = dy > 0 ? 1 : -1;
+      this.mess.addJuice(u, v, f.juice, (this.rng.next() - 0.5) * 0.3, side * (0.6 + this.rng.next() * 0.4));
+    }
+    if (f.slipped) {
+      audio.clatter(0.5, 0.9);
+      this.app.shake = 0.015;
+      this.hintEl.textContent = 'it skated. saw as you press — the blade needs to bite';
+    }
+    if (f.cutDone) {
+      audio.clunk(false);
+      this.addSeam(s.cuts[s.cuts.length - 1]);
+      for (let i = 0; i < f.seedsSpilled; i++) {
+        this.mess.addSolid(u + (this.rng.next() - 0.5) * 0.12, v + (this.rng.next() - 0.5) * 0.3, 'seed');
+      }
+    }
+    if (f.sessionDone) {
+      this.showPieces();
+    }
+  }
+
+  /** Committed cuts read as dark seams on the ingredient. */
+  private addSeam(pos: number): void {
+    const seam = new THREE.Mesh(
+      new THREE.BoxGeometry(0.016, this.ing.size * 0.95, this.ing.size * 0.95),
+      new THREE.MeshStandardMaterial({
+        color: new THREE.Color().setRGB(
+          this.ing.colors.flesh[0] * 0.45,
+          this.ing.colors.flesh[1] * 0.45,
+          this.ing.colors.flesh[2] * 0.45,
+          THREE.SRGBColorSpace,
+        ),
+        roughness: 1,
+      }),
+    );
+    seam.position.set(pos * this.ing.size, this.ingMesh!.position.y, 0);
+    this.root.add(seam);
+    this.seams.push(seam);
+  }
+
+  /** Session done: the whole becomes pieces, fanned apart so the CV is visible. */
+  private showPieces(): void {
+    if (!this.session || this.pieces) return;
+    const s = this.session;
+    if (this.ingMesh) this.ingMesh.visible = false;
+    for (const seam of this.seams) this.root.remove(seam);
+    this.seams = [];
+    this.pieces = new THREE.Group();
+    const flesh = new THREE.MeshStandardMaterial({
+      color: new THREE.Color().setRGB(...this.ing.colors.flesh, THREE.SRGBColorSpace),
+      roughness: 0.5,
+    });
+    const edges = [-0.5, ...[...s.cuts].sort((a, b) => a - b), 0.5];
+    let x = -this.ing.size * 0.55 - edges.length * 0.02;
+    for (let i = 0; i + 1 < edges.length; i++) {
+      const w = (edges[i + 1] - edges[i]) * this.ing.size;
+      const mid = (edges[i] + edges[i + 1]) / 2;
+      const rHere = Math.sqrt(Math.max(0.05, 0.25 - mid * mid)) * this.ing.size;
+      const piece = new THREE.Mesh(new THREE.CylinderGeometry(rHere, rHere, Math.max(0.02, w * 0.92), 20), flesh);
+      piece.rotation.z = Math.PI / 2;
+      piece.castShadow = true;
+      piece.position.set(x + w / 2, BOARD_Y * 2 + rHere, 0.1);
+      this.pieces.add(piece);
+      x += w + 0.05;
+    }
+    this.root.add(this.pieces);
+  }
+
+  private positionKnife(s: CutSession): void {
+    if (!this.knifeMesh) return;
+    const topY = this.ingMesh ? this.ingMesh.position.y + this.ing.size * 0.55 : 1;
+    this.knifeMesh.rotation.set(0, Math.PI / 2, Math.PI / 2);
+    const sawZ = s.phase === 'saw' ? Math.sin(this.sawPhase * 6) * 0.3 : 0.15;
+    const sink = s.phase === 'aim' || s.phase === 'done' ? 0 : s.progress * this.ing.size * 0.9;
+    this.knifeMesh.visible = s.phase !== 'done';
+    this.knifeMesh.position.set(s.aimPos * this.ing.size, topY + 0.22 - sink, sawZ + 0.35);
+  }
+
+  /** Push the mess field into the stain texture when it changed. */
+  private syncMess(): void {
+    if (this.mess.version === this.messVersion) return;
+    this.messVersion = this.mess.version;
+    const d = this.mess.field.data;
+    const px = this.messTexData;
+    for (let i = 0; i < d.length; i++) {
+      const m = Math.min(1, d[i] * 2.2);
+      px[i * 4] = 190;
+      px[i * 4 + 1] = 68;
+      px[i * 4 + 2] = 36;
+      px[i * 4 + 3] = Math.round(Math.min(0.85, m) * 255);
+    }
+    this.messTex.needsUpdate = true;
+    const solids = this.mess.solids.filter((s) => !s.collected);
+    const mat = new THREE.Matrix4();
+    let n = 0;
+    for (const s of solids) {
+      if (n >= 256) break;
+      mat.setPosition(s.u * BOARD_W - BOARD_W / 2, BOARD_Y * 2 + 0.02, s.v * BOARD_D - BOARD_D / 2);
+      this.solidsMesh.setMatrixAt(n++, mat);
+    }
+    this.solidsMesh.count = n;
+    this.solidsMesh.instanceMatrix.needsUpdate = true;
+  }
+
+  private updateHud(s: CutSession): void {
+    const total = plannedCuts(s.pattern);
+    const done = s.cuts.length + s.diceCutsA.length;
+    if (s.phase === 'done') {
+      const cv = pieceCV(s);
+      this.cutsEl.textContent = `${pieceVolumes(s).length} pieces — CV ${cv.toFixed(3)}, ${cvWord(cv)}`;
+    } else {
+      this.cutsEl.textContent = `cut ${Math.min(done + 1, total)} of ${total}${s.phase === 'aim' ? ' (aiming)' : ''}`;
+    }
+    this.progFill.style.width = `${Math.round(s.progress * 100)}%`;
+    this.progFill.style.background = '#e8a53a';
+    const bench = this.mess.benchWord();
+    const wobble =
+      s.phase === 'saw' && s.wedge > 0.12 ? (s.wedge > 0.3 ? ' · that cut is wandering' : ' · drifting…') : '';
+    this.benchEl.textContent = `bench: ${bench}${wobble}${s.slips ? ` · slips: ${s.slips}` : ''}`;
+    this.benchEl.style.color = bench === 'clean' ? '' : bench === 'smeared' ? '#e8a53a' : '#e2603a';
+  }
+
+  dispose(): void {
+    this.panel.dispose();
+  }
+}
diff --git a/src/sim/cutting.ts b/src/sim/cutting.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9f7bf38
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/sim/cutting.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,336 @@
+import { DEFAULT_SAW, TOOLS, type ToolId } from './cutlery';
+import type { Ingredient } from './ingredients';
+
+/**
+ * Cutting, generalized from the loaf (sim/slicing.ts) to anything on the board.
+ *
+ * A CutSession is an ingredient, a knife, and a pattern. Each cut in the
+ * pattern runs the same three-act physics the loaf taught us — bite, saw,
+ * through — with two additions the loaf never needed:
+ *
+ *   slip  — skin.slippery × pressing-without-sawing. A serrated blade in
+ *           motion bites; a flat blade leaning on a tomato skates. When it
+ *           skates the cut position jumps and the juice goes somewhere.
+ *   juice — flesh.moisture ejected along the stroke, superlinear in speed,
+ *           so the frantic cut soaks the board and the deliberate one doesn't.
+ *
+ * The judged number is piece evenness: the coefficient of variation of piece
+ * volumes. CV < 0.08 reads as "even"; past 0.25 it's a lottery.
+ */
+
+export type CutPattern =
+  | { kind: 'halve' }
+  | { kind: 'slices'; n: number }
+  | { kind: 'wedges'; n: number }
+  | { kind: 'dice'; n: number };
+
+export interface CutFrame {
+  /** Skated this frame: the aim jumped to `aimPos`, juice sprayed. */
+  slipped: boolean;
+  /** Juice mass ejected this frame (scene feeds it to the mess field). */
+  juice: number;
+  /** A cut just went through. */
+  cutDone: boolean;
+  /** Seeds shaken loose by the cut that just finished. */
+  seedsSpilled: number;
+  /** The whole pattern is complete. */
+  sessionDone: boolean;
+}
+
+export interface CutSession {
+  ing: Ingredient;
+  knife: ToolId;
+  pattern: CutPattern;
+  phase: 'aim' | 'bite' | 'saw' | 'done';
+  /** Committed cut positions, -0.5..0.5 along the axis (fraction of size).
+   *  For wedges the same range reads as a fraction of the half-turn. */
+  cuts: number[];
+  /** Dice is two passes: 0 = first slices, 1 = rotated criss-cross. */
+  dicePhase: 0 | 1;
+  diceCutsA: number[];
+  aimPos: number;
+  /** Per-cut accumulators, reset when a cut commits. */
+  progress: number;
+  wedge: number;
+  squash: number;
+  strokes: number;
+  biteTravel: number;
+  pressTime: number;
+  lastDir: number;
+  strokeTravel: number;
+  /** Session totals the judge and the sting math read. */
+  slips: number;
+  juiceTotal: number;
+  /** Crushing over the whole session — onion sting scales with this (M14). */
+  aggression: number;
+  wedgeWorst: number;
+  squashWorst: number;
+}
+
+const STROKE_GAIN = 0.11;
+const WOBBLE_GAIN = 0.55;
+const SPEED_CAP = 3.2;
+const SQUASH_GAIN = 0.55;
+/** Seconds of leaning on slippery skin before it skates, at slippery = 1
+ *  with a knife that has no saw stats worth the name. */
+const SLIP_PATIENCE = 0.35;
+
+export function plannedCuts(pattern: CutPattern): number {
+  switch (pattern.kind) {
+    case 'halve':
+      return 1;
+    case 'slices':
+      return pattern.n - 1;
+    case 'wedges':
+      return Math.ceil(pattern.n / 2); // diametral cuts, each makes two wedges
+    case 'dice':
+      return (pattern.n - 1) * 2; // two rotated passes of n-1
+  }
+}
+
+export function newCutSession(ing: Ingredient, knife: ToolId, pattern: CutPattern): CutSession {
+  return {
+    ing,
+    knife,
+    pattern,
+    phase: 'aim',
+    cuts: [],
+    dicePhase: 0,
+    diceCutsA: [],
+    aimPos: 0,
+    progress: 0,
+    wedge: 0,
+    squash: 0,
+    strokes: 0,
+    biteTravel: 0,
+    pressTime: 0,
+    lastDir: 0,
+    strokeTravel: 0,
+    slips: 0,
+    juiceTotal: 0,
+    aggression: 0,
+    wedgeWorst: 0,
+    squashWorst: 0,
+  };
+}
+
+export function cutSawStats(knife: ToolId): { eff: number; steady: number; gentle: number } {
+  return TOOLS[knife].saw ?? DEFAULT_SAW;
+}
+
+/** While aiming: where the next cut will land. */
+export function aimCut(s: CutSession, pos: number): void {
+  if (s.phase !== 'aim') return;
+  s.aimPos = Math.min(0.5, Math.max(-0.5, pos));
+}
+
+/** Mouse went down on the ingredient: the blade is on the skin. */
+export function beginBite(s: CutSession): void {
+  if (s.phase === 'aim') {
+    s.phase = 'bite';
+    s.biteTravel = 0;
+    s.pressTime = 0;
+  }
+}
+
+/** Mouse released mid-cut: progress keeps, the blade comes off the skin. */
+export function liftKnife(s: CutSession): void {
+  if (s.phase === 'bite') s.phase = 'aim';
+}
+
+/**
+ * One frame of blade-on-ingredient. `dz` is saw motion along the blade, `dx`
+ * sideways wander. `rand` feeds the slip jump only — everything else is
+ * deterministic, which is what makes it verifiable.
+ */
+export function cutFrame(s: CutSession, dz: number, dx: number, dt: number, rand: () => number): CutFrame {
+  const out: CutFrame = { slipped: false, juice: 0, cutDone: false, seedsSpilled: 0, sessionDone: false };
+  if (s.phase !== 'bite' && s.phase !== 'saw') return out;
+  const k = cutSawStats(s.knife);
+  const speed = dt > 0 ? Math.abs(dz) / dt : 0;
+
+  if (s.phase === 'bite') {
+    // The first bite: saw motion earns grip, leaning earns a skate. A truly
+    // sharp edge (The Best Thing) sinks in on downforce alone — that is the
+    // whole legend of it.
+    s.biteTravel += Math.abs(dz) + Math.max(0, k.eff - 1.05) * 0.08 * dt;
+    s.pressTime += dt;
+    const biteNeed = 0.015 + s.ing.skin.resistance * 0.05 * (1.6 - Math.min(1.2, k.eff));
+    if (s.biteTravel >= biteNeed) {
+      s.phase = 'saw';
+    } else {
+      const patience = (SLIP_PATIENCE / (s.ing.skin.slippery + 0.05)) * (0.4 + k.eff);
+      if (s.pressTime > patience) {
+        // It skates. The cut position jumps, the juice goes on the board.
+        s.slips++;
+        s.pressTime = 0;
+        s.biteTravel = 0;
+        const jump = (0.07 + rand() * 0.09) * (rand() < 0.5 ? -1 : 1);
+        s.aimPos = Math.min(0.5, Math.max(-0.5, s.aimPos + jump));
+        out.slipped = true;
+        out.juice = Math.max(0, s.ing.flesh.moisture - 0.3) * 0.35;
+        s.juiceTotal += out.juice;
+      }
+      return out;
+    }
+  }
+
+  // Sawing. Same speed-capped progress as the loaf, scaled by flesh fight.
+  const hardness = 0.35 / (0.12 + s.ing.flesh.resistance * 0.55);
+  const sizeFactor = 0.5 / (0.2 + s.ing.size * 0.6);
+  const useful = Math.min(Math.abs(dz), SPEED_CAP * dt);
+  s.progress += useful * STROKE_GAIN * k.eff * hardness * sizeFactor * 14;
+
+  const excess = Math.max(0, speed - SPEED_CAP * (0.6 + k.gentle));
+  const crush = excess * SQUASH_GAIN * (1 - k.gentle) * (1.3 - s.ing.flesh.resistance) * dt;
+  s.squash = Math.min(1, s.squash + crush);
+  s.aggression += crush;
+
+  s.wedge = Math.min(1, s.wedge + Math.abs(dx) * WOBBLE_GAIN * (1 - k.steady));
+
+  const dir = Math.sign(dz);
+  if (dir !== 0 && dir !== s.lastDir && s.strokeTravel > 0.08) {
+    s.strokes++;
+    s.strokeTravel = 0;
+  }
+  if (dir !== 0) s.lastDir = dir;
+  s.strokeTravel += Math.abs(dz);
+
+  // Juice: moisture × speed², so the deliberate cut leaks and the frantic one
+  // hoses. Only flesh wetter than 0.4 juices at all.
+  if (s.ing.flesh.moisture > 0.4) {
+    out.juice = (s.ing.flesh.moisture - 0.35) * speed * Math.abs(dz) * 0.1;
+    s.juiceTotal += out.juice;
+  }
+
+  if (s.progress >= 1) {
+    out.cutDone = true;
+    s.cuts.push(s.aimPos);
+    s.wedgeWorst = Math.max(s.wedgeWorst, s.wedge);
+    s.squashWorst = Math.max(s.squashWorst, s.squash);
+    out.seedsSpilled = seedsFor(s);
+    s.progress = 0;
+    s.wedge = 0;
+    s.squash = 0;
+    s.biteTravel = 0;
+    s.pressTime = 0;
+    if (s.pattern.kind === 'dice' && s.dicePhase === 0 && s.cuts.length >= plannedCuts(s.pattern) / 2) {
+      // First pass done: bank it, rotate the board, go again.
+      s.diceCutsA = s.cuts;
+      s.cuts = [];
+      s.dicePhase = 1;
+      s.phase = 'aim';
+    } else if (totalCutsDone(s) >= plannedCuts(s.pattern)) {
+      s.phase = 'done';
+      out.sessionDone = true;
+    } else {
+      s.phase = 'aim';
+    }
+  }
+  return out;
+}
+
+function totalCutsDone(s: CutSession): number {
+  return s.cuts.length + s.diceCutsA.length;
+}
+
+function seedsFor(s: CutSession): number {
+  const seeds = s.ing.seeds;
+  if (!seeds) return 0;
+  const justCut = s.cuts[s.cuts.length - 1] ?? 0;
+  if (seeds.pocket === 'core') {
+    return Math.abs(justCut) < 0.12 ? Math.ceil(seeds.count * 0.6) : 0;
+  }
+  // Distributed pockets shed a share per cut, more when squashed.
+  return Math.round((seeds.count / Math.max(1, plannedCuts(s.pattern))) * (0.35 + s.squash * 0.5));
+}
+
+/**
+ * Piece volumes implied by the committed cuts. For slices/halve these are
+ * slab volumes through the actual solid of revolution, so a cut near the end
+ * of a sphere honestly yields a sliver.
+ */
+export function pieceVolumes(s: CutSession): number[] {
+  const p = s.pattern;
+  if (p.kind === 'wedges') {
+    // Diametral cuts at angles (aimPos as fraction of the half-turn).
+    const angles = [...s.cuts].map((c) => (c + 0.5) * Math.PI).sort((a, b) => a - b);
+    if (angles.length === 0) return [];
+    const out: number[] = [];
+    for (let i = 0; i < angles.length; i++) {
+      const a = angles[i];
+      const b = i + 1 < angles.length ? angles[i + 1] : angles[0] + Math.PI;
+      out.push(b - a, b - a); // each diametral gap is two opposite wedges
+    }
+    return out;
+  }
+  if (p.kind === 'dice') {
+    const a = widths(s.diceCutsA);
+    const b = widths(s.cuts);
+    const cells: number[] = [];
+    for (const wa of a) for (const wb of b) cells.push(wa * wb);
+    return cells;
+  }
+  const edges = [-0.5, ...[...s.cuts].sort((a, b) => a - b), 0.5];
+  const out: number[] = [];
+  for (let i = 0; i + 1 < edges.length; i++) out.push(slabVolume(s.ing, edges[i], edges[i + 1]));
+  return out;
+}
+
+/** Sorted cut positions -> piece widths including both ends. */
+function widths(cuts: number[]): number[] {
+  const c = [...cuts].sort((a, b) => a - b);
+  const edges = [-0.5, ...c, 0.5];
+  const out: number[] = [];
+  for (let i = 0; i + 1 < edges.length; i++) out.push(edges[i + 1] - edges[i]);
+  return out;
+}
+
+/** Volume of the slab between fractions a..a+w of the solid, unit size. */
+function slabVolume(ing: Ingredient, a: number, b: number): number {
+  // Numeric integral of the cross-section through a sphere/ovoid; blocks and
+  // wedges are uniform enough that width is volume.
+  if (ing.shape === 'block' || ing.shape === 'wedge') return Math.abs(b - a);
+  const steps = 24;
+  let v = 0;
+  for (let i = 0; i < steps; i++) {
+    const x = a + ((i + 0.5) / steps) * (b - a);
+    const r2 = Math.max(0, 0.25 - x * x); // unit sphere of radius 0.5
+    v += r2;
+  }
+  return (v / steps) * Math.abs(b - a) * Math.PI;
+}
+
+/**
+ * The judged statistic: coefficient of variation of the pieces.
+ *
+ * For straight slices the CV runs over piece WIDTHS, not volumes — on a round
+ * ingredient the end slices are thinner by geometry, and a statistic the
+ * player cannot get under 0.4 with a laser-guided knife isn't a skill test.
+ * Widths are exactly the thing the hand controls. Wedges and dice keep the
+ * volume/cell statistic: there the spread really is all yours.
+ */
+export function pieceCV(s: CutSession): number {
+  const vals = s.pattern.kind === 'slices' || s.pattern.kind === 'halve' ? sliceWidths(s) : pieceVolumes(s);
+  if (vals.length < 2) return 0;
+  const mean = vals.reduce((a, v) => a + v, 0) / vals.length;
+  if (mean <= 0) return 1;
+  const acc = vals.reduce((a, v) => a + (v - mean) * (v - mean), 0) / vals.length;
+  return Math.sqrt(acc) / mean;
+}
+
+function sliceWidths(s: CutSession): number[] {
+  const edges = [-0.5, ...[...s.cuts].sort((a, b) => a - b), 0.5];
+  const out: number[] = [];
+  for (let i = 0; i + 1 < edges.length; i++) out.push(edges[i + 1] - edges[i]);
+  return out;
+}
+
+/** Halve quality: centre offset and the worst wedge — M12's yield cap reads this. */
+export function halveQuality(s: CutSession): { offset: number; wedge: number } {
+  return { offset: Math.abs(s.cuts[0] ?? 0.5), wedge: s.wedgeWorst };
+}
+
+export function cvWord(cv: number): string {
+  return cv < 0.08 ? 'even' : cv < 0.16 ? 'respectable' : cv < 0.25 ? 'uneven' : 'a lottery';
+}
diff --git a/src/sim/ingredients.ts b/src/sim/ingredients.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6637937
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/sim/ingredients.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,139 @@
+/**
+ * The prep-bench cast. Everything a knife can be taken to, described by the
+ * numbers the cutting sim actually consumes — shape for the silhouette and the
+ * piece math, skin for the slip check, flesh for juice and layering, and the
+ * station-specific extras (seeds, sting, temperature needs, gratability).
+ *
+ * 1 world unit ≈ 11cm, same convention as the loaf.
+ */
+
+export type IngredientShape = 'sphere' | 'ovoid' | 'block' | 'wedge' | 'bulb';
+
+export interface Ingredient {
+  id: string;
+  name: string;
+  shape: IngredientShape;
+  /** Characteristic diameter/length in world units. */
+  size: number;
+  /** resistance: how hard the skin fights the first bite. slippery: how keenly
+   *  it skates when pressed without sawing — the tomato number. */
+  skin: { resistance: number; slippery: number };
+  /** moisture > 0.4 juices when cut; layered flesh falls apart when mistreated. */
+  flesh: { resistance: number; moisture: number; layered?: boolean };
+  seeds?: { count: number; pocket: 'core' | 'distributed' };
+  /** Onions. 0..1, scales how fast cutting stings the eyes. */
+  sting?: number;
+  temp?: { state: 'fridge' | 'bench'; softensInSec?: number; needsSoft?: boolean; needsCold?: boolean };
+  gratable?: { yield: number; pithDepth?: number };
+  roastable?: boolean;
+  /** Authored sRGB, same convention as bread crumb/crust. */
+  colors: { skin: [number, number, number]; flesh: [number, number, number] };
+}
+
+export type IngredientId =
+  | 'tomato'
+  | 'roast_tomato'
+  | 'orange'
+  | 'onion'
+  | 'garlic'
+  | 'parmesan'
+  | 'brie'
+  | 'cucumber'
+  | 'avocado';
+
+export const INGREDIENTS: Record<IngredientId, Ingredient> = {
+  tomato: {
+    id: 'tomato',
+    name: 'tomato',
+    shape: 'sphere',
+    size: 0.6,
+    skin: { resistance: 0.35, slippery: 0.9 },
+    flesh: { resistance: 0.2, moisture: 0.75 },
+    seeds: { count: 20, pocket: 'distributed' },
+    roastable: true,
+    colors: { skin: [0.82, 0.18, 0.12], flesh: [0.9, 0.35, 0.22] },
+  },
+  roast_tomato: {
+    id: 'roast_tomato',
+    name: 'roast tomato',
+    shape: 'sphere',
+    size: 0.52,
+    // The skin blisters off in the oven; what's left is a water balloon.
+    skin: { resistance: 0.1, slippery: 0.55 },
+    flesh: { resistance: 0.08, moisture: 0.95 },
+    colors: { skin: [0.62, 0.16, 0.1], flesh: [0.75, 0.28, 0.16] },
+  },
+  orange: {
+    id: 'orange',
+    name: 'orange',
+    shape: 'ovoid',
+    size: 0.68,
+    skin: { resistance: 0.55, slippery: 0.45 },
+    flesh: { resistance: 0.3, moisture: 0.85 },
+    seeds: { count: 5, pocket: 'core' },
+    gratable: { yield: 1.0, pithDepth: 0.35 },
+    colors: { skin: [0.95, 0.55, 0.1], flesh: [0.98, 0.68, 0.2] },
+  },
+  onion: {
+    id: 'onion',
+    name: 'brown onion',
+    shape: 'sphere',
+    size: 0.62,
+    skin: { resistance: 0.4, slippery: 0.6 },
+    flesh: { resistance: 0.45, moisture: 0.55, layered: true },
+    sting: 1.0,
+    colors: { skin: [0.72, 0.5, 0.28], flesh: [0.93, 0.9, 0.82] },
+  },
+  garlic: {
+    id: 'garlic',
+    name: 'garlic',
+    shape: 'bulb',
+    size: 0.28,
+    skin: { resistance: 0.25, slippery: 0.35 },
+    flesh: { resistance: 0.5, moisture: 0.3, layered: true },
+    sting: 0.15,
+    colors: { skin: [0.9, 0.86, 0.8], flesh: [0.95, 0.92, 0.85] },
+  },
+  parmesan: {
+    id: 'parmesan',
+    name: 'parmesan',
+    shape: 'block',
+    size: 0.5,
+    skin: { resistance: 0.8, slippery: 0.15 },
+    flesh: { resistance: 0.85, moisture: 0.1 },
+    temp: { state: 'fridge', softensInSec: 90, needsCold: true },
+    gratable: { yield: 0.9 },
+    colors: { skin: [0.85, 0.75, 0.5], flesh: [0.93, 0.87, 0.68] },
+  },
+  brie: {
+    id: 'brie',
+    name: 'brie',
+    shape: 'wedge',
+    size: 0.45,
+    skin: { resistance: 0.3, slippery: 0.2 },
+    flesh: { resistance: 0.15, moisture: 0.35 },
+    temp: { state: 'fridge', softensInSec: 120, needsSoft: true },
+    colors: { skin: [0.95, 0.93, 0.88], flesh: [0.97, 0.92, 0.78] },
+  },
+  cucumber: {
+    id: 'cucumber',
+    name: 'cucumber',
+    shape: 'ovoid',
+    size: 1.4,
+    skin: { resistance: 0.5, slippery: 0.5 },
+    flesh: { resistance: 0.25, moisture: 0.8 },
+    seeds: { count: 14, pocket: 'distributed' },
+    colors: { skin: [0.2, 0.45, 0.16], flesh: [0.85, 0.94, 0.75] },
+  },
+  avocado: {
+    id: 'avocado',
+    name: 'avocado',
+    shape: 'ovoid',
+    size: 0.62,
+    skin: { resistance: 0.7, slippery: 0.3 },
+    // Ripeness is a lottery: roll flesh resistance per-avocado at spawn.
+    flesh: { resistance: 0.5, moisture: 0.45 },
+    seeds: { count: 1, pocket: 'core' },
+    colors: { skin: [0.16, 0.2, 0.1], flesh: [0.78, 0.85, 0.5] },
+  },
+};
diff --git a/src/sim/mess.ts b/src/sim/mess.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8d55531
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/sim/mess.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,156 @@
+import { Field } from '../core/field';
+
+/**
+ * The bench is judged now.
+ *
+ * Juice, pulp and stray solids live on the cutting board's own UV square —
+ * the same Field machinery as the toast, pointed at the crime scene around
+ * it. Two kinds of mess:
+ *
+ *   the field  — juice and smear, a mass per texel
+ *   solids     — seeds, skins, zest: discrete bits with positions, rendered
+ *                instanced, counted by the judge individually ("three pips.
+ *                I counted.")
+ *
+ * The wipe is spreading in reverse, and it keeps the spread's honesty: a
+ * cloth pass picks SOME mass up and pushes the rest ahead of itself, so one
+ * pass smears and the second one cleans. That's the feel; it's also why
+ * wiping late beats wiping never but costs you twice the service clock.
+ */
+
+export type SolidKind = 'seed' | 'skin' | 'zest' | 'pith' | 'pulp' | 'crumb';
+
+export interface Solid {
+  u: number;
+  v: number;
+  kind: SolidKind;
+  /** Set when a wipe collects it; the scene fades it out. */
+  collected?: boolean;
+}
+
+/** "There is visibly juice on this texel." Shared with the live readout. */
+export const MESS_FLOOR = 0.03;
+
+export class Mess {
+  readonly field: Field;
+  readonly mask: Field;
+  readonly solids: Solid[] = [];
+  /** What the cloth is currently carrying. */
+  clothLoad = 0;
+  /** Bumped whenever anything changes, so the scene knows to re-texture. */
+  version = 0;
+
+  constructor(n = 96) {
+    this.field = new Field(n);
+    this.mask = new Field(n, 1);
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Juice lands as a streak: a few blobs along the stroke direction from the
+   * cut point, weaker with distance. `du,dv` is the (unnormalized) stroke
+   * direction; more speed = longer throw.
+   */
+  addJuice(u: number, v: number, amount: number, du: number, dv: number): void {
+    if (amount <= 0) return;
+    const len = Math.hypot(du, dv);
+    const nu = len > 1e-6 ? du / len : 0;
+    const nv = len > 1e-6 ? dv / len : 1;
+    const throwLen = Math.min(0.28, 0.06 + amount * 0.5);
+    const blobs = 3;
+    for (let i = 0; i < blobs; i++) {
+      const t = i / (blobs - 1);
+      const bu = u + nu * throwLen * t;
+      const bv = v + nv * throwLen * t;
+      const share = (amount * (1 - t * 0.55)) / blobs;
+      const r = 0.03 + amount * 0.04;
+      const total = this.field.brush(bu, bv, r, () => undefined);
+      if (total <= 0) continue;
+      this.field.brush(bu, bv, r, (idx, w) => {
+        this.field.data[idx] += (share * w) / total;
+      });
+    }
+    this.version++;
+  }
+
+  addSolid(u: number, v: number, kind: SolidKind): void {
+    this.solids.push({ u: clamp01(u), v: clamp01(v), kind });
+    this.version++;
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * One cloth step from (pu,pv) to (u,v). Picks up ~half of what it crosses,
+   * shoves the rest ahead of the leading edge — mass conserving until the
+   * cloth finally absorbs it. Collects solids it passes over. Returns mass
+   * picked up this step (the scene can wring the cloth on a threshold).
+   */
+  wipe(pu: number, pv: number, u: number, v: number, radius = 0.07): number {
+    const du = u - pu;
+    const dv = v - pv;
+    const len = Math.hypot(du, dv);
+    if (len < 1e-5) return 0;
+    const nu = du / len;
+    const nv = dv / len;
+    let lifted = 0;
+    let pushed = 0;
+    this.field.brush(u, v, radius, (idx, w) => {
+      const take = this.field.data[idx] * Math.min(1, w * 0.9);
+      const absorb = take * 0.55;
+      lifted += absorb;
+      pushed += take - absorb;
+      this.field.data[idx] -= take;
+    });
+    // The un-absorbed mass lands just past the leading edge: the smear.
+    if (pushed > 0) {
+      const fu = u + nu * radius * 1.35;
+      const fv = v + nv * radius * 1.35;
+      const total = this.field.brush(fu, fv, radius * 0.8, () => undefined);
+      if (total > 0) {
+        this.field.brush(fu, fv, radius * 0.8, (idx, w) => {
+          this.field.data[idx] += (pushed * w) / total;
+        });
+      }
+    }
+    for (const s of this.solids) {
+      if (s.collected) continue;
+      const d = Math.hypot(s.u - u, s.v - v);
+      if (d < radius) {
+        s.collected = true;
+      }
+    }
+    this.clothLoad += lifted;
+    this.version++;
+    return lifted;
+  }
+
+  /** The judge's numbers: total juice mass, how far it's spread, loose bits. */
+  stats(): { mass: number; spreadFrac: number; solids: number } {
+    const d = this.field.data;
+    let mass = 0;
+    let dirty = 0;
+    for (let i = 0; i < d.length; i++) {
+      mass += d[i];
+      if (d[i] > MESS_FLOOR) dirty++;
+    }
+    return {
+      mass,
+      spreadFrac: dirty / d.length,
+      solids: this.solids.filter((s) => !s.collected).length,
+    };
+  }
+
+  /** The live readout, in the judge's own thresholds. */
+  benchWord(): 'clean' | 'smeared' | 'a crime scene' {
+    const s = this.stats();
+    const badness = s.spreadFrac * 3 + s.solids * 0.04 + s.mass * 0.4;
+    return badness < 0.25 ? 'clean' : badness < 0.9 ? 'smeared' : 'a crime scene';
+  }
+
+  reset(): void {
+    this.field.clear();
+    this.solids.length = 0;
+    this.clothLoad = 0;
+    this.version++;
+  }
+}
+
+const clamp01 = (v: number) => (v < 0 ? 0 : v > 1 ? 1 : v);
diff --git a/src/style.css b/src/style.css
index 076f7f8..d3b2350 100644
--- a/src/style.css
+++ b/src/style.css
@@ -325,6 +325,16 @@ canvas#c {
   padding: 4px 0;
 }
 
+/* Station headers on prep-order scorecards. */
+.crit-group {
+  font-size: 9px;
+  letter-spacing: 0.22em;
+  opacity: 0.55;
+  margin: 8px 0 2px;
+  border-bottom: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.12);
+  padding-bottom: 3px;
+}
+
 .crit-name {
   font-size: 10px;
   letter-spacing: 0.1em;