To minimize customer dissatisfaction, the chef will follow a pessimistic schedule (worst-case scenario).
First activity A will be started, and then B, and C can be started simultaneously. E and H will be dependent on C.
Similarly, D, F, and G will be dependent on B.
D, F, and G will not depend on C, H, E, and vice versa.
I activity will be started after all the 8 activities are done.
Based on the pessimistic schedule,
A takes = 1 min
Then B, D, F, and G will take 19 minutes.
In these 19 minutes, C and E will also be completed simultaneously.
Hence, in the first (19+1) = 20 minutes, A, B, C, D, E, F, and G will be completed. Now H will take another 13 minutes. After that, I will take 5 minutes.
Hence, the total time taken = (20+13+5) = 38 minutes.
The correct option is A