BOHO journal

Kitchen Language

The words, calls, and shorthand that keep a restaurant moving when the tickets stack up.

On the line

What Does Hot Behind Mean in a Kitchen?

Hot behind is the kitchen safety call for passing close with a hot item. Learn when to use it, how to respond, and why it matters.

In a restaurant, “hands” is the call for immediate help. Learn what it means at the pass, why it matters, and how to respond.

Corner is the restaurant safety call used before rounding a blind turn. Learn when to use it, how it differs from behind, and why it matters.

Behind is the kitchen safety call that warns a coworker you are passing close behind them. Learn when to use it and what hot behind means.

The kitchen meaning of heard, why cooks call it back, and when a simple acknowledgment needs more detail.

On the fly means a dish or component is needed immediately. Learn how cooks use the urgent kitchen call and how it differs from all day.

In restaurant language, all day is the total quantity of one item across active tickets. See how cooks use the call during service.

In a restaurant, 86 means an item is unavailable or should stop being sold. Learn how the kitchen call works during service.

Gift ideas for line cooks, chefs, and restaurant people who carry the kitchen with them after close.