As a customer in a restaurant, you aren’t likely to hear a whole lot from the kitchen. But, chefs and dishwashers alike know the kitchen has a language all its own. Popular television shows chronicling everything from food trucks to fine dining have made everyone privy to this closed off world.
So, how much of those reality shows is real and how much is just for show? Every kitchen is different, and a lot of the vocabulary depends upon the staff and the type of dining establishment. Some chef terminology is universal, while other words are completely unique. Here is a breakdown of some popular chef lingo being served up in kitchens across the country.
The Floor – The dining room, where guests are seated
BOH – Back of House, the kitchen and any areas guests are not permitted
Expo – Expediter, the person who coordinates incoming tickets
The Dance – The way you move around someone on the line
Fire – A command to start actually cooking a dish that’s been ordered
On the Fly – Make a dish fast
86 – a dish from the menu is now unavailable
Low-boy – a small under-the-counter refrigerator
All Day – a listing of all the dishes a station should have cooking at any time
Weeded – In the weeds, when the kitchen is busy to the point of being overwhelmed and falling behind
Kill It – cook a dish to well-done
Sandbagging – To cook something ahead of time and warm it up when the ticket comes in
As with any profession, chefs and kitchen staff often look for shortened versions of words or easier ways to say something. Many believe that chefs use an abundance of profanity, but this isn’t the case for all kitchens. Kitchen terminology and popular phrases are most likely born out of necessity. Kitchens are incredibly busy and complex workplaces where time is money. When staff can use words that are easier to remember or shorten the length of a conversation, actual cooking can take precedence.
Many terms used in the kitchen are derived from other languages and can also sound confusing to patrons. Whether tradition dictates the name of a particular cooking style or chefs have picked up some slang words that fit the bill, popular chef lingo is well-known to those who use it regularly.
Whether you are looking to impress your foodie friends or are taking your first stab at working in a professional kitchen, speaking the language of the culinary world can be fun as well as useful.