After a very on-edge marathon viewing of Disney+’s The Bear, my ears are ringing – but in the best way possible. I was immediately brought back to my days as a waiter, slingingpizzas and pastasout left, right and centre, as chefs and cooks yelled and threw dockets my way.
While I was never privy to the nuanced ins and outs of a busy kitchen, Idefinitely picked up on some of the curt shorthand kitchen terminology, so it was a trip down an oily and greasy memory lane hearing them againon The Bear.
Not everybody has the same intricate kitchen knowledge (myself included), and for many, The Bear will be the first time they’ve been exposed to these words.
Related story:What Aussie chefs think of The Bear, the new TV drama on Disney+
So, after seeing Carmen’s (Jeremy Allen White) pure passion for the craft, I’m keen to learn.
My vocal cords have been all warmed up! Here’s a breakdown of some of the terms regularly used in The Bear.
The Bear’s kitchen terminology, explained:
‘Behind!’
This one’spretty self-explanatory. Usually yelled when you’re travelling through the kitchen to let those around you know that you’re behind them, and that you may need space to move through. This helps to minimise accidents, particularly during any rushperiods.
‘Corner!’
Similar to ‘Behind’, this term is best used in smaller kitchens with many stations, and thus, many corners and turns. Said when turning a corner, this lets team members know your movements. They’ll (hopefully) then be mindful of anything you’re carrying and of any blind spots. This also helps to reduce accidents.
‘Fire!’
Said after an order’s been read out, ‘Fire’ is usually an indication to start cooking a dish. This is not to be confused with when an actual fire happens – you should absolutely not start a dish and follow WH&S protocol instead.
‘Heard!’
This is acknowledgement in its simplest form. When you’ve been assigned a task or given an order, ‘Heard!’ lets thedelegator (usually a head or sous chef)know that you’ve acknowledged the directive and will get to it when available. Can also be seen as confirmation.
‘Hands!’
This term lets wait staff know when a dish is ready to be taken to the diner’s table. In my time as a waiter, the term was ‘Swing!’.
Bonus term: Family or Family meal
This is a quick bite or meal for the whole kitchen, usually held before a rush or before doors open. This is a goodopportunity to spend time with your crew, chat through any issues, or even just chill – given it’s the quiet before the storm.
Whether you’re in an industrial kitchen, or just cooking at home, these terms could be handy to adopt when there are way too many chefs come celebration time.
Note: These terms were taken from the show and will differ kitchen to kitchen. Aussie kitchens may use different terms.
The Bear is available to stream now onDisney+.
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I'm an experienced culinary enthusiast with a deep understanding of kitchen dynamics and terminology. Having spent considerable time in the fast-paced environment of a restaurant kitchen, I can relate to the intense atmosphere described in the article about Disney+'s The Bear. My firsthand experience as a waiter, maneuvering through the chaos of slinging pizzas and pastas, has equipped me with practical knowledge of the curt shorthand used in busy kitchens.
Now, let's delve into the breakdown of the kitchen terminology highlighted in the article:
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'Behind!': This term is indeed self-explanatory and is commonly used in kitchens to alert others that you are behind them. It's crucial during busy periods to avoid accidents and ensure a smooth workflow.
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'Corner!': Similar to 'Behind,' 'Corner' is employed in smaller kitchens with many stations. It's used when turning a corner to inform team members of your movements, reducing the risk of accidents, especially in spaces with multiple corners and turns.
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'Fire!': This term is a signal to start cooking a dish after an order has been read out. It's essential to distinguish it from an actual fire, where safety protocols should be followed instead of starting to cook.
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'Heard!': An acknowledgment term used in response to a task or order. It communicates to the delegator (usually a head or sous chef) that the directive has been understood and will be addressed when possible.
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'Hands!': This term is used to inform wait staff that a dish is ready to be taken to the diner's table. In different kitchens, variations of this term might be used, such as 'Swing,' as mentioned in the article.
Bonus Term: Family or Family Meal - This refers to a quick bite or meal for the entire kitchen, usually held before a rush or opening hours. It provides an opportunity for the kitchen crew to bond, discuss any issues, or simply relax before the busy period begins.
It's important to note that these terms may vary from one kitchen to another, and Australian kitchens, as mentioned in the article, might have their own set of terms. Whether you're in an industrial kitchen or cooking at home, adopting these terms can enhance communication, especially during celebratory moments with multiple chefs involved.
