All day

To note the total quantity of an item on multiple tickets.

“Fire two filets medium rare, one salmon. Fire one filet medium rare, one filet medium. Three medium rare all day!”

Back of the House

(BOH)

The back of the restaurant, the kitchen and storage areas, where the chefs, cooks, prep people and dishwashers primarily work.

Cambro

A large plastic pan used for storage of perishables and non-perishables. (The name is from the company that makes the containers; also referred to as a Lexan.)

Chef de Partie

Station chefs; in the brigade system, these are the line cook positions, such as saucier, grillardin, etc.

Cremate it
(or Kill it)

To almost burn something or be very overcooked; extra extra well done.

“Table five wants his burger cremated.”

Cryovaced

Generally used with meat products, but many dried goods are packed this way to retain freshness. Cryovacing is a process used to remove any excess oxygen from a bag, and then the bag is heat-sealed to make it airtight.  

Dragging

Taking a long time, usually the result of being weeded.

“My entrees are dragging.”
“My busser is dragging.”

“The mussels are almost done, better drop the calamari.”

Also, to present a customer with the bill or a dish.

“Drop the check.”

“Entrees have been dropped.”

Dying

For food or drink to lose quality due to sitting around waiting to be picked up (e.g., ice melting into a drink and causing it to be watered down, food drying up for sitting under the heat lamps for too long).

“Are their apps clear? Their entrees are dying.”

Food Cost

The amount a menu item costs to prepare. See Food Costing 101 for more.

Fire

Begin to cook.

“Fire mains on table four!”

Hockey Puck

A very well done hamburger.

Heard

A common response to imply that something is understood.

Hold

To leave something off a dish.

Hot Behind

Someone is coming behind you with hot pans, dishes, etc., so move out of the way.

Lexan

A large plastic pan used for storage of perishables and non-perishables. (The name is from the company that makes the containers; also referred to as a Cambro.)

Line

The workspace of the kitchen.

Mains

The main course of guests' meals.

Marry

To combine two or more containers.

Nuke It

To microwave.

On the Fly

Refers to emergency status; immediate need; takes priority over all other things.

Pump It Out

Getting food out quickly.

Refire

A dish that needs to be remade on the fly.

“Refire table three. Now!"

SOS

Sauce on the side.

Sub

To substitute one menu choice for another.

Shelf Life

The amount of time in storage that a product can maintain quality and freshness.

Sizzle Platter

Heavy grade metal oval plate that is used to reheat or cook something in a high temperature oven.

Sous Chef

Generally the second in command in a kitchen.

Stretch

To make a particular item last through an entire shift.

Ticket

The physical printout in the kitchen of a table’s order.

Up

Refers to a menu item up in the window, ready to go to table.

Walk-in

A refrigerated room for cold storage of perishable items; also a soundproof room for Chef scream therapy.

Window

A shelf, usually heated, where the food is placed after preparation and awaiting delivery to the table.

Yes, chef

A response to indicate "I understand." The appropriate response to any question or statement said by the Head Chef. En français, "Oui, Chef."

6 Pan

9 Pan

“Can you grab me a 6 pan?”

“There’s a 9 pan of it over here.”