head chef
Top kitchen authority
A head chef is the person in charge of a professional kitchen, responsible for menu planning, food preparation standards, and supervising other cooks.
Also called executive chef or chef de cuisine.
The head chef makes final decisions on dishes and runs the kitchen during service: The head chef rejected three plates before one met his standards.
Large military unit
- line cookKitchen staff at stations
- prep cookEntry-level culinary worker
- stationFixed stopping point
- passMove beyond or decline
expedite · service · ticket · plating · stockpot · salamander · plancha · commis
Learner bound to employer
- stageRaised performance platform
- culinary studentOne studying food preparation
- protégéPerson guided by expert
- teachingProfession of instructing others
demonstration · technique · correction · encouragement · skill development · knife skills · recipe development · knowledge transfer
Cook quickly in fat
- broilCook with direct heat
- marinateSoak food in flavoring
- seasoningSubstance improving food taste
- flambéFood set alight
mise en place · sous-vide · simmer · roux · al dente · baste · chiffonade · julienne
Fine dining excellence rating
- fine diningElegant restaurant experience
- degustationCareful tasting of foods
- amuse-boucheComplimentary chef's tasting bite
- prix fixeSet menu, set cost
omakase · kaiseki · haute cuisine · restaurant critic · prestige · reputation · acclaimed · award-winning
Person directing food preparation
- delegationTransferring responsibility downward
- hiringGiving someone work
- firingTerminating employment
- disciplineTrained self-control or specialty
standards · accountability · authority · command · decision-making · scheduling · team building · performance review
Chef's most famous creation
- tasting menuCurated sequence of small courses
- seasonal menuPeriodically updated dish selection
- food pairingCombining complementary flavors
- presentationFormal display to viewers
innovation · experimentation · fusion · reinterpretation · flavor profile · concept · inspiration · artistic vision
brigade
Large military unit
pass · expedite · service · ticket · plating · stockpot · salamander · plancha · commis · saucier
apprentice
Learner bound to employer
- stageRaised performance platform
- culinary studentOne studying food preparation
- protégéPerson guided by expert
teaching · demonstration · technique · correction · encouragement · skill development · knife skills · recipe development · knowledge transfer · tradition
sauté
Cook quickly in fat
flambé · mise en place · sous-vide · simmer · roux · al dente · baste · chiffonade · julienne · caramelize
Michelin star
Fine dining excellence rating
- fine diningElegant restaurant experience
- degustationCareful tasting of foods
- amuse-boucheComplimentary chef's tasting bite
prix fixe · omakase · kaiseki · haute cuisine · restaurant critic · prestige · reputation · acclaimed · award-winning
kitchen manager
Person directing food preparation
- delegationTransferring responsibility downward
- hiringGiving someone work
- firingTerminating employment
discipline · standards · accountability · authority · command · decision-making · scheduling · team building · performance review · chain of command
signature dish
Chef's most famous creation
- tasting menuCurated sequence of small courses
- seasonal menuPeriodically updated dish selection
- food pairingCombining complementary flavors
presentation · innovation · experimentation · fusion · reinterpretation · flavor profile · concept · inspiration · artistic vision · modernist
- Chefsline cook, prep cook, commis, apprentice, saucier
- diningrestaurant, menu, waiter, servers, waitress
- restaurant workwaiter, waitress, server, cook, dishwasher
- cookshome cook, line cook, prep cook, fry cook, grill cook
- food workersbutcher, bartender, server, caterer, waiter
- hospitality workersservers, waiters, hostess, hosts, bartenders
head chefdishwasher
Appliance that cleans cookware
kitchen porter · line cook · prep cook · sous chef · busboy