Are you a chef, bartender, or waiter/waitress working in a tourist spot? Maybe you're a student who wants to work part-time in a restaurant while you go to school abroad. Whatever the case may be, you will come across many English customers and staff members in the food and beverage industry. These pages are designed to help people who are employed, or looking for work in many different areas of the hospitality industry, including in the kitchen, on the floor, or behind the bar. You will learn helpful English vocabulary and expressions that will allow your guests to enjoy their dining experience and help you to communicate with your fellow staff members. Studying and practicing Food and Beverage English and gaining a better understanding of the industry may even help you find a job. Do the exercises and take the quizzes to test your knowledge and understanding.
Note: Many English words and expressions about food come directly from French. This is why some words about food are written with an accent (for example: à la carte). However, you may also see such words written without accent.
| Vocabulary part of speech
| Meaning
| Example sentence
|
| à la mode adjective
| with ice cream
| Would you like your apple pie à la mode?
|
| alcohol, liquor noun
| a distilled liquid such as rum or whiskey
| This beer has 5% alcohol.
|
| all you can eat adjective
| customers pay one fee and can eat as much as they wish
| These are all you can eat fries, so let me know if you want more.
|
| appetizer noun
| small snack before a meal
| Would you like some garlic bread or another appetizer to start?
|
| appetizing adjective
| looks pleasing to eat
| I'm afraid these pancakes don't look very appetizing.
|
| apron noun
| a cloth covering worn over the clothes while cooking
| Remove your apron before you come out to the dining room.
|
| awful (taste) adjective
| very bad taste
| The customer said that her pasta was awful.
|
| bar noun
| place in an establishment where people go to get a drink (especially alcoholic drinks)
| If you sit up at the bar you don't have to order any food.
|
| barbeque noun/verb
| southern style of cooking over a grill
| The barbeque wings are our specialty.
|
| barstool noun
| tall seats that customers use at the bar
| The guest fell off his barstool before he even ordered a drink.
|
| bartender noun
| staff member that mixes, pours, and serves alcoholic beverages
| I do part-time work as a bartender in a local pub.
|
| beverage noun
| drink
| Can I bring you some beverages while you look at the menus?
|
| bill, cheque, check noun
| the slip of paper that tells the customer how much to pay
| Table 3 would like you to bring them their cheque.
|
| black coffee adjective + noun
| coffee without any milk
| Should I bring some cream, or do you take your coffee black?
|
| boil verb
| style of cooking that involves placing food in a deep pot of extremely hot water
| We usually boil the potatoes first so that they will cook faster.
|
| book off verb
| mark a day that you cannot work
| I need to book off the first week of May.
|
| booster seat noun
| a plastic unit that fits on top of a chair to help small children reach the table
| Will your child be needing a booster seat today?
|
| booth/bench noun
| type of seating in which people sit side by side on a cushioned area
| We'd prefer a booth if you have one available.
|
| booze noun(idiom)
| alcohol
| You've been into the booze already, haven't you?
|
| bottle opener noun
| a device used for opening beer bottles that don't twist off
| All of the servers keep bottle openers on their keychains.
|
| bread basket noun
| slices of bread and butter served before and with a meal
| I'll bring you a bread basket to hold the kids down until dinner.
|
| breaded adjective
| rolled and cooked in bread crumbs
| The shrimp is breaded in our homemade batter.
|
| buffet noun
| self-serve tables of food that are set out for the customer to pick and choose from
| The plates and everything you need are up at the buffet.
|
| burnt adjective
| overcooked to the point of turning black
| The toast is burnt around the edges.
|
| buspan noun
| rubber tub used for collecting dirty dishes
| The buspan is stacked so high it's too heavy for me to carry.
|
| busboy, busser noun
| a person who helps out in a restaurant (especially clearing and setting tables)
| Ask the busboy to help you bring out all of the food.
|
| cash noun
| paper money payment
| I don't have any cash. Do you accept Visa?
|
| cash out verb
| counting and submitting the payment of all of the customers bills at the end of one's shift
| Don't forget to include any coupons from tonight when you cash out later.
|
| cashier noun
| staff member responsible for collecting customer's money at the front of an establishment
| We don't have a cashier; you have to pay your server.
|
| charge verb
| to add a fee
| I will have to charge you an extra dollar to add ice cream.
|
| check on verb
| make sure the guests are satisfied
| You should always check on your guests about two minutes after you serve the meal.
|
| chef noun
| staff member who is professionally trained to prepare food
| Our head chef is one of the best cooks in town.
|
| clear verb
| remove finished or unused items from a table
| You need to clear this table and set it for four.
|
| cocktail noun
| an alcoholic drink with juice
| Would anyone care for a cocktail on this warm sunny day?
|
| coffee maker noun
| machine that dispenses coffee into a glass container for pouring
| You need to teach the new waitress how to operate the coffee maker.
|
| coffee round noun
| an offering of coffee and refills around a section of a restaurant
| Let's ask the busboy to do a coffee round while we take a smoke break.
|
| combo, combination noun
| mixture
| The combo platter has veggies, ribs, and chicken fingers.
|
| comment card noun
| a piece of paper that customers are given to record their dining experience
| When she asked for a comment card I knew she was going to complain about the food.
|
| complaint noun
| a problem with service or food
| The guest brought his complaint to the manager.
|
| condiments noun
| types of sauces that are added for flavouring (i.e. mustard)
| All of the condiments you should need are on the table.
|
| cook verb/noun
| prepare and heat food until it is ready to serve
| The guest says that this chicken isn't cooked enough.
|
| corkscrew noun
| tool for removing the cork from the top of a wine bottle.
| You will need to learn how to work a corkscrew before you start bartending.
|
| counter noun
| flat area often used for placing dishes on or preparing food
| I left one of the salads on the kitchen counter by mistake.
|
| coupon noun
| a slip of paper that offers the customers a discounted rate
| Your coupon is only valid for food, not for alcoholic drinks.
|
| complimentary adjective
| free of charge
| The desserts are complimentary because the dinner took so long.
|
| creamer noun
| small plastic container of cream for coffee
| Will you need more than two creamers for your coffee?
|
| credit card noun
| a plastic card that allows people to pay for something later
| You forgot to sign your credit card slip.
|
| customer, guest noun
| person who goes to an establishment to be served
| It is our policy that the customer is always right.
|
| customer service noun
| treatment of guests
| Our restaurant got the award for having the best customer service this year.
|
| cutlery, silverware, utensils noun
| tools for eating with (fork, knife, spoon)
| In a fine dining restaurant the staff has to polish the silverware.
|
| cut off verb
| stop serving a customer any more alcohol
| I cut off the man with the beard because he'd had too much to drink.
|
| debit noun
| use bank card to pay directly from bank account
| Can we pay by debit here, or do you only take credit cards?
|
| deep fried adjective
| cooked in a large pot of oil
| Most of the appetizers on our menu are deep fried.
|
| defrost, thaw verb
| remove frozen food from the freezer to prepare
| Don't forget to defrost some pies for tomorrow.
|
| delicious adjective
| very good taste
| The cookies were so delicious they were gone in half an hour.
|
| delivery noun
| food brought to the home
| Do you have delivery or do we have to come in to eat?
|
| designated driver adjective + noun
| person in a party who agrees not to consume alcohol in order to drive everyone home safely
| Is there a designated driver in your party or are you taking a taxi?
|
| dessert noun
| sweet treat after a meal
| I think we're too full to have dessert tonight.
|
| dessert tray noun
| a plate of all of the desserts that customers can view and order from
| I'll bring the dessert tray around and see if I can tempt any of you with a slice of cake or pie.
|
| dirty dishes adjective + noun
| plates that customers are finished with
| I'll just clear these dirty dishes and make some room for you.
|
| discount noun
| at a cheaper cost
| We got a discount because we are regular customers.
|
| dishpit noun
| area in the restaurant where the dirty dishes are placed.
| Jody is not going to want to go into the dishpit today.
|
| dishwasher noun
| the staff member/machine that washes the dirty dishes
| Can you bring the dishwasher these pans to clean?
|
| doggie bag noun
| unfinished food that is packed up for the customer to take home
| I can't finish my steak, but I'll take a doggie bag.
|
| double noun
| two shots of alchohol in one drink
| Make that a double in a tall glass, please.
|
| draft noun
| beer from a keg that pours out of a tap
| We have a selection of local beers on draft.
|
| dressing noun
| liquid topping for salads
| Would you like Italian or French dressing?
|
| dry adjective
| no sauce
| I'll have dry toast with two eggs.
|
| entré e, main course noun
| the largest part of a meal (after appetizer, before dessert)
| The entré es are after the lunch specials on page 6 of the menu.
|
| fast-food noun
| an eatery that offers quick inexpensive food
| We don't provide table service. This is a fast-food restaurant.
|
| fine dining noun
| a very expensive eating establishment
| The waiters wear bowties because it's a fine dining restaurant.
|
| float noun
| small amount of cash used to make change at the beginning of a server or bartender's shift
| I need a roll of quarters for my float.
|
| free refills adjective + noun
| beverages that can be filled again without any cost
| Have all of the soda you want; it's free refills here.
|
| fry verb
| cook over an element in oil
| Don't fry the vegetables too long or they will go soggy.
|
| garnish noun/verb
| food that is added to a plate for appearance or colour(i.e. parsley or fruit)
| Don't forget to garnish all of the entrees that go out.
|
| glassware noun
| group of drinking glasses
| Make sure the glassware doesn't have any spots before you put it away.
|
| gloves (plastic) noun
| covering for the hands to prevent the spread of germs
| Whenever you are handling food make sure you are wearing gloves.
|
| gratuity/tip noun
| extra money given as a thank you for service
| When we have a large party we're allowed to add a 15% gratuity to the bill.
|
| greet verb
| say hello and welcome customers to the establishment
| Your priority as a hostess is to greet the guests at the door with a smile.
|
| grill noun/verb
| cooking over iron slats that allow for oil and fat to drop down
| The healthiest way to prepare meat is on a grill.
|
| hairnet noun
| a covering worn on the head while preparing food
| If you don't want to wear a hat, you can wear a hairnet.
|
| happy hour noun
| short amount of time when alcoholic drinks are on sale
| We're expecting a rush because it's almost happy hour.
|
| highball noun
| alcohol served with soda
| Our highballs are on for half price today.
|
| highchair noun
| a tall chair with a plastic tray designed for a baby
| The party is for ten plus a highchair.
|
| hold verb
| leave off/without
| I'll take a hamburger, hold the bun.
|
| homemade adjective
| made from a recipe
| We serve the best homemade soup in town.
|
| host, hostess noun
| staff member in charge of greeting and seating customers in a restaurant
| Please wait and the hostess will seat you.
|
| ingredients noun
| all of the different foods that are combined in a recipe
| I'll check the ingredients to make sure there aren't any nuts.
|
| kettle noun
| pot for boiling water for tea
| I'll put the kettle on and make some fresh tea.
|
| last call noun
| the last chance for a person to get an alcoholic drink before the establishment closes
| We'll have two more screwdrivers for last call.
|
| lemon, lime wedge noun
| a small segment of lemon or lime put on the rim of a glass
| I'd like a lemon wedge for my ice water please.
|
| lineup noun/verb
| a number of people waiting for something
| Is this the lineup to pay or get seated?
|
| liqueur noun
| alcohol that has a syrupy/sweet taste
| Can I offer you a coffee liqueur to go with your dessert?
|
| make change verb + noun
| give customers money back from a payment
| We can make change if all you have is large notes.
|
| manager noun/adjective
| person in charge of a section of a restaurant
| I'd like to speak to the floor manager about the service.
|
| melt verb
| warm to soften (i.e. cheese/butter)
| First, melt two tablespoons of butter in the microwave.
|
| menu noun
| a booklet of all of the food that can be ordered
| Do you have a children's menu we could see?
|
| microwave noun
| a small appliance that heats and cooks food quickly
| We can heat your dinner in the microwave if you like.
|
| mild adjective
| not spicy
| I'd like a half dozen mild chicken wings.
|
| nightclub noun
| establishment where adults go to dance and drink alcoholic beverages
| If you work at the nightclub you will have to stay until 2 AM.
|
| non alcoholic beverage adjective + noun
| a drink that resembles a certain drink without the alchohol
| Can I order a non alcoholic beer?
|
| notepad noun
| paper that a server uses to write down orders
| Just let me grab my notepad and I'll take your order.
|
| on the rocks preposition + noun
| on ice
| I'll take a whiskey on the rocks.
|
| on the side preposition + noun
| request for a food item to NOT be put on top of another food item
| For the nachos, can we have the sour cream on the side?
|
| order verb/noun
| make a request to a server
| Is everyone ready to order lunch now?
|
| over charge verb
| give a customer a bill that is too high (by mistake)
| I think you over charged us for our drinks; we only had one each.
|
| pack up verb
| put in a take-out container for the customer to bring home
| Would you like me to pack up the rest of that pizza?
|
| party noun
| group of people at or waiting for a table
| A party of twelve just walked in without a reservation.
|
| patio noun
| outdoor seeating
| We closed the patio because it looks like it's going to rain.
|
| paycheque noun
| money given to the staff every week or two
| You'll get a paycheque every other Monday.
|
| pitcher, jug noun
| a container with a spout to pour water, beer, or other beverages out of
| We'll take a pitcher of beer with four glasses.
|
| portion noun/verb
| a separate amount of food
| The chicken fingers are already portioned in the freezer.
|
| pour verb
| dispense liquid from a container
| Can I pour you folks another glass of water?
|
| prepare verb
| get food ready
| The servers have to prepare the salads themselves.
|
| pub noun
| establishment that specializes in casual food and alcoholic beverages
| I can wear whatever I want when I work at the pub.
|
| punch clock and punch card noun
| a machine that staff members place a card into when they begin and finish a work shift
| I don't want staff members hanging around the punch clock.
|
| punch in, out verb
| put a card in the punch clock to mark the time you start and end a shift
| You can punch out as soon as you finish sweeping the floors.
|
| punch something in verb
| enter an order into a computer system
| I'm going to punch in a large order now, so get ready.
|
| rare adjective
| cooked meat that is pink inside
| This steak is too rare for me to eat.
|
| recipe noun
| list of ingredients and instructions for preparing a certain type of food
| Our chef is so talented that he almost never bothers with a recipe.
|
| regulars noun
| people who come into an establishment often
| You can give the regulars a complimentary drink from time to time.
|
| reservation noun
| a request to have a table saved for a certain amount of people
| We don't take any reservations; it's first come first served here.
|
| restrooms noun
| place for people to use a toilet and wash hands
| The restrooms are to your left and down the stairs.
|
| roll-up noun
| a set of cutlery wrapped in a napkin
| Before we punch out we have to prepare enough roll-ups for the night shift.
|
| rush noun
| a large amount of customers arriving at the same time
| We always have a rush after church on Sundays.
|
| rush noun/verb
| prepare quickly for a certain reason
| Can you put a rush on this spaghetti; I forgot to punch it in.
|
| sauce noun
| liquid flavouring added to food
| What kind of sauce would you like on your ice cream, butterscotch or chocolate?
|
| schedule noun/verb
| a notice of the time and date each staff member has to work in a certain period of time
| If you want to book off a day, let me know before I make the schedule.
|
| seasoning noun
| dry flavouring added to food
| He wants the chicken plain without any seasoning.
|
| self-serve adjective
| the customers bring their own food items to the table and do not pay for service
| We have a buffet on, so it's self-serve for lunch.
|
| senior's discount noun
| a reduced price for people over a certain age (i.e. over 65)
| We have a senior's discount of 25% off on Mondays.
|
| separate cheques adjective + noun/verb +noun
| a different bill for each member/group sitting at a table
| We asked for separate cheques but it all came on one bill.
|
| serve verb
| look after a customer, bring items to a customer
| Is there someone in charge of serving out on the patio?
|
| set verb
| get a table ready with items such as cutlery and glassware
| I need you to clear and set table five for a party of eight.
|
| shade noun
| place outside that is not in the sun
| We'd like to sit on the patio if there is any shade.
|
| shot noun
| one ounce of alcohol served in a small glass (shot glass)
| Let's do a shot to get this party started.
|
| shooter noun
| an ounce of alcohol and juice combined
| Is there a shooter that has orange juice in it?
|
| side dish noun
| choice of food that goes with a main meal
| The two side dishes are mashed potatoes or french fries.
|
| sour adjective
| acid or fermented taste
| I think the milk has gone sour from sitting out of the fridge too long.
|
| sous chef noun
| staff member who works under and assists the main chef
| Our sous chef is leaving to become the head chef at another restaurant.
|
| specials noun
| items that were prepared particularly for a certain day and are usually at a reduced price
| Would you like to hear the specials before you decide on lunch.
|
| specialty noun
| food item that a restaurant is popular for
| Homemade fish and chips is our specialty.
|
| spicy adjective
| hot flavour
| Any item with three chilies beside it means that the dish is very spicy.
|
| stay verb
| to eat in the restaurant
| Are these coffees to go or to stay.
|
| stir, mix verb
| spin round and round with a spoon
| Stir the soup for a few minutes before you serve it.
|
| straw noun
| long hollow plastic stick for drinking out of
| Can I please get a straw for my ice tea?
|
| straight up adjective
| alcoholic drink without any mix or ice
| He always has a straight up glass of rum after his meal.
|
| substitute verb
| replace one item for another
| Can I substitute the carrots for corn?
|
| supervisor noun
| staff member in charge of watching over things and dealing with problems
| When I'm not here George will be your supervisor.
|
| sweet adjective
| taste with a lot of sugar
| If you like sweet things, you'll love our chocolate cheesecake.
|
| take-out adjective/verb
| food that is packed up and eaten at home
| You can either eat in or order food to take-out.
|
| two-minute check noun
| a visit to a table approximately two minutes after the food has been served to check for satisfaction
| Don't forget to do your two-minute check to make sure the steak is cooked properly.
|
| terminal noun
| computer system for punching in food orders
| There's one terminal in the kitchen and one on the bar.
|
| till noun
| drawer of a cash register that money is kept in
| You need a key to open the till and make change.
|
| to go verb
| to take out of the restaurant
| We're just going to order a pizza to go.
|
| toppings noun
| food items that go on top of other food items to add flavour
| What type of toppings would you like to have on your pizza?
|
| uniform noun
| clothing that staff members have to wear
| The uniform here is black pants and a white shirt.
|
| waiter, waitress noun
| staff member in charge of taking orders and serving food and beverages
| When I got promoted from a hostess to a waitress I started making tips.
|
| waiting list noun
| list of groups who want a table to eat at
| We have a twenty minute waiting list tonight.
|
| warm up verb
| heat food to an enjoyable temperature for eating
| Would you mind warming up the baby's bottle for me?
|
| well- done adjective
| cooked for longer than average
| The meat was so well-done it had no flavour.
|
| wine list noun
| a menu of all of the wine you can order from the glass, litre, or bottle
| You will notice that we have a lot of local wine on our wine list.
|
| winery noun
| a place where wine is made, tasted, and sold
| There is another winery up the hill that you might enjoy stopping at.
|
| wine tasting adjective
| sampling different types of wine
| If you are intersted in trying some wines you should go on a wine tasting tour.
|
Are you ready to take your first table? Here are some questions that you may need to ask your guests. Fill in the blanks with the appropriate word. Check your answers and then move on to the guests' responses.
Appetizer/ cooked/ decided/ finished/ interest/ needing/ save/ separate cheques/ so far/ specials
1. Can I _________ anyone in a cold beverage to start?
2. Has everyone _________ , or do you need a few more minutes with the menus?
3. Would you like to hear today's ____________?
4. Is anyone interested in soup or salad as an ____________ ?
5. How would you like your steak _____________?
6. Is there anything else you'll be ________________ just now?
7. And how is everything _______________?
8. Are you all ____________ with your plate?
9. Did anyone _____________ room for dessert tonight?
10. Is this all together, or would you like ________________?
How will your guests respond to your questions? They need to understand you, but even more importantly, you need to understand them! Fill in the blanks and check your answers.
Bill/ bite/ delicious/ medium rare/ menu/ order/ pitcher/ sauce/ special board/ split
1. We'll take a __________ of draft with four glasses, please.
2. I think we are all ready to ____________.
3. We read the ______________ on our way through.
4. I think we'll get an order of garlic bread to _____________.
5. I like my steak ______________ so that there is a little pink in the middle.
6. Do you have any ____________ to dip the chicken fingers in?
7. Everything is ______________, thank you.
8. I can't eat another _____________.
9. We'll have coffee while we look at the dessert ___________.
10. You can put it all on one ___________ , thanks.
Most menus are divided into sections. You may need to help a guest find the entrees, or desserts. A guest might call a drink a beverage or a refreshment. Learn the different terms that are used so that you can understand and serve your guests promptly and accurately.
Match the menu items with the menu section they belong in.
Tending bar requires special skills, such as learning special recipes, measuring, mixing and serving drinks, and chatting with guests. No matter which country you are working in, you are sure to come across English patrons who want a cold drink. Study the lists and expressions bartenders use. Then read the dialogue and check your understanding.
There are many different ways to prepare classic cocktails. Every bar or restaurant has rules about how much alcohol to put in a cocktail and how to build it. The following recipes do not contain specific amounts. Use them to learn the names of the cocktails, liquors, and mixes.
Are you a chef, bartender, or waiter/waitress working in a tourist spot? Maybe you're a student who wants to work part-time in a restaurant while you go to school abroad. Whatever the case may be, you will come across many English customers and staff members in the food and beverage industry. These pages are designed to help people who are employed, or looking for work in many different areas of the hospitality industry, including in the kitchen, on the floor, or behind the bar. You will learn helpful English vocabulary and expressions that will allow your guests to enjoy their dining experience and help you to communicate with your fellow staff members. Studying and practicing Food and Beverage English and gaining a better understanding of the industry may even help you find a job. Do the exercises and take the quizzes to test your knowledge and understanding.
Note: Many English words and expressions about food come directly from French. This is why some words about food are written with an accent (for example: à la carte). However, you may also see such words written without accent.
| Vocabulary part of speech
| Meaning
| Example sentence
|
| à la mode adjective
| with ice cream
| Would you like your apple pie à la mode?
|
| alcohol, liquor noun
| a distilled liquid such as rum or whiskey
| This beer has 5% alcohol.
|
| all you can eat adjective
| customers pay one fee and can eat as much as they wish
| These are all you can eat fries, so let me know if you want more.
|
| appetizer noun
| small snack before a meal
| Would you like some garlic bread or another appetizer to start?
|
| appetizing adjective
| looks pleasing to eat
| I'm afraid these pancakes don't look very appetizing.
|
| apron noun
| a cloth covering worn over the clothes while cooking
| Remove your apron before you come out to the dining room.
|
| awful (taste) adjective
| very bad taste
| The customer said that her pasta was awful.
|
| bar noun
| place in an establishment where people go to get a drink (especially alcoholic drinks)
| If you sit up at the bar you don't have to order any food.
|
| barbeque noun/verb
| southern style of cooking over a grill
| The barbeque wings are our specialty.
|
| barstool noun
| tall seats that customers use at the bar
| The guest fell off his barstool before he even ordered a drink.
|
| bartender noun
| staff member that mixes, pours, and serves alcoholic beverages
| I do part-time work as a bartender in a local pub.
|
| beverage noun
| drink
| Can I bring you some beverages while you look at the menus?
|
| bill, cheque, check noun
| the slip of paper that tells the customer how much to pay
| Table 3 would like you to bring them their cheque.
|
| black coffee adjective + noun
| coffee without any milk
| Should I bring some cream, or do you take your coffee black?
|
| boil verb
| style of cooking that involves placing food in a deep pot of extremely hot water
| We usually boil the potatoes first so that they will cook faster.
|
| book off verb
| mark a day that you cannot work
| I need to book off the first week of May.
|
| booster seat noun
| a plastic unit that fits on top of a chair to help small children reach the table
| Will your child be needing a booster seat today?
|
| booth/bench noun
| type of seating in which people sit side by side on a cushioned area
| We'd prefer a booth if you have one available.
|
| booze noun(idiom)
| alcohol
| You've been into the booze already, haven't you?
|
| bottle opener noun
| a device used for opening beer bottles that don't twist off
| All of the servers keep bottle openers on their keychains.
|
| bread basket noun
| slices of bread and butter served before and with a meal
| I'll bring you a bread basket to hold the kids down until dinner.
|
| breaded adjective
| rolled and cooked in bread crumbs
| The shrimp is breaded in our homemade batter.
|
| buffet noun
| self-serve tables of food that are set out for the customer to pick and choose from
| The plates and everything you need are up at the buffet.
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| burnt adjective
| overcooked to the point of turning black
| The toast is burnt around the edges.
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| buspan noun
| rubber tub used for collecting dirty dishes
| The buspan is stacked so high it's too heavy for me to carry.
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| busboy, busser noun
| a person who helps out in a restaurant (especially clearing and setting tables)
| Ask the busboy to help you bring out all of the food.
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| cash noun
| paper money payment
| I don't have any cash. Do you accept Visa?
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| cash out verb
| counting and submitting the payment of all of the customers bills at the end of one's shift
| Don't forget to include any coupons from tonight when you cash out later.
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| cashier noun
| staff member responsible for collecting customer's money at the front of an establishment
| We don't have a cashier; you have to pay your server.
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| charge verb
| to add a fee
| I will have to charge you an extra dollar to add ice cream.
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| check on verb
| make sure the guests are satisfied
| You should always check on your guests about two minutes after you serve the meal.
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| chef noun
| staff member who is professionally trained to prepare food
| Our head chef is one of the best cooks in town.
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| clear verb
| remove finished or unused items from a table
| You need to clear this table and set it for four.
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| cocktail noun
| an alcoholic drink with juice
| Would anyone care for a cocktail on this warm sunny day?
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| coffee maker noun
| machine that dispenses coffee into a glass container for pouring
| You need to teach the new waitress how to operate the coffee maker.
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| coffee round noun
| an offering of coffee and refills around a section of a restaurant
| Let's ask the busboy to do a coffee round while we take a smoke break.
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| combo, combination noun
| mixture
| The combo platter has veggies, ribs, and chicken fingers.
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| comment card noun
| a piece of paper that customers are given to record their dining experience
| When she asked for a comment card I knew she was going to complain about the food.
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| complaint noun
| a problem with service or food
| The guest brought his complaint to the manager.
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| condiments noun
| types of sauces that are added for flavouring (i.e. mustard)
| All of the condiments you should need are on the table.
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| cook verb/noun
| prepare and heat food until it is ready to serve
| The guest says that this chicken isn't cooked enough.
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| corkscrew noun
| tool for removing the cork from the top of a wine bottle.
| You will need to learn how to work a corkscrew before you start bartending.
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| counter noun
| flat area often used for placing dishes on or preparing food
| I left one of the salads on the kitchen counter by mistake.
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| coupon noun
| a slip of paper that offers the customers a discounted rate
| Your coupon is only valid for food, not for alcoholic drinks.
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| complimentary adjective
| free of charge
| The desserts are complimentary because the dinner took so long.
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| creamer noun
| small plastic container of cream for coffee
| Will you need more than two creamers for your coffee?
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| credit card noun
| a plastic card that allows people to pay for something later
| You forgot to sign your credit card slip.
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| customer, guest noun
| person who goes to an establishment to be served
| It is our policy that the customer is always right.
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| customer service noun
| treatment of guests
| Our restaurant got the award for having the best customer service this year.
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| cutlery, silverware, utensils noun
| tools for eating with (fork, knife, spoon)
| In a fine dining restaurant the staff has to polish the silverware.
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| cut off verb
| stop serving a customer any more alcohol
| I cut off the man with the beard because he'd had too much to drink.
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| debit noun
| use bank card to pay directly from bank account
| Can we pay by debit here, or do you only take credit cards?
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| deep fried adjective
| cooked in a large pot of oil
| Most of the appetizers on our menu are deep fried.
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| defrost, thaw verb
| remove frozen food from the freezer to prepare
| Don't forget to defrost some pies for tomorrow.
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| delicious adjective
| very good taste
| The cookies were so delicious they were gone in half an hour.
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| delivery noun
| food brought to the home
| Do you have delivery or do we have to come in to eat?
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| designated driver adjective + noun
| person in a party who agrees not to consume alcohol in order to drive everyone home safely
| Is there a designated driver in your party or are you taking a taxi?
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| dessert noun
| sweet treat after a meal
| I think we're too full to have dessert tonight.
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| dessert tray noun
| a plate of all of the desserts that customers can view and order from
| I'll bring the dessert tray around and see if I can tempt any of you with a slice of cake or pie.
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| dirty dishes adjective + noun
| plates that customers are finished with
| I'll just clear these dirty dishes and make some room for you.
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| discount noun
| at a cheaper cost
| We got a discount because we are regular customers.
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| dishpit noun
| area in the restaurant where the dirty dishes are placed.
| Jody is not going to want to go into the dishpit today.
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| dishwasher noun
| the staff member/machine that washes the dirty dishes
| Can you bring the dishwasher these pans to clean?
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| doggie bag noun
| unfinished food that is packed up for the customer to take home
| I can't finish my steak, but I'll take a doggie bag.
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| double noun
| two shots of alchohol in one drink
| Make that a double in a tall glass, please.
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| draft noun
| beer from a keg that pours out of a tap
| We have a selection of local beers on draft.
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| dressing noun
| liquid topping for salads
| Would you like Italian or French dressing?
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| dry adjective
| no sauce
| I'll have dry toast with two eggs.
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| entré e, main course noun
| the largest part of a meal (after appetizer, before dessert)
| The entré es are after the lunch specials on page 6 of the menu.
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| fast-food noun
| an eatery that offers quick inexpensive food
| We don't provide table service. This is a fast-food restaurant.
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| fine dining noun
| a very expensive eating establishment
| The waiters wear bowties because it's a fine dining restaurant.
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| float noun
| small amount of cash used to make change at the beginning of a server or bartender's shift
| I need a roll of quarters for my float.
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| free refills adjective + noun
| beverages that can be filled again without any cost
| Have all of the soda you want; it's free refills here.
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| fry verb
| cook over an element in oil
| Don't fry the vegetables too long or they will go soggy.
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| garnish noun/verb
| food that is added to a plate for appearance or colour(i.e. parsley or fruit)
| Don't forget to garnish all of the entrees that go out.
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| glassware noun
| group of drinking glasses
| Make sure the glassware doesn't have any spots before you put it away.
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| gloves (plastic) noun
| covering for the hands to prevent the spread of germs
| Whenever you are handling food make sure you are wearing gloves.
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| gratuity/tip noun
| extra money given as a thank you for service
| When we have a large party we're allowed to add a 15% gratuity to the bill.
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| greet verb
| say hello and welcome customers to the establishment
| Your priority as a hostess is to greet the guests at the door with a smile.
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| grill noun/verb
| cooking over iron slats that allow for oil and fat to drop down
| The healthiest way to prepare meat is on a grill.
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| hairnet noun
| a covering worn on the head while preparing food
| If you don't want to wear a hat, you can wear a hairnet.
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| happy hour noun
| short amount of time when alcoholic drinks are on sale
| We're expecting a rush because it's almost happy hour.
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| highball noun
| alcohol served with soda
| Our highballs are on for half price today.
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| highchair noun
| a tall chair with a plastic tray designed for a baby
| The party is for ten plus a highchair.
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| hold verb
| leave off/without
| I'll take a hamburger, hold the bun.
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| homemade adjective
| made from a recipe
| We serve the best homemade soup in town.
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| host, hostess noun
| staff member in charge of greeting and seating customers in a restaurant
| Please wait and the hostess will seat you.
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| ingredients noun
| all of the different foods that are combined in a recipe
| I'll check the ingredients to make sure there aren't any nuts.
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| kettle noun
| pot for boiling water for tea
| I'll put the kettle on and make some fresh tea.
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| last call noun
| the last chance for a person to get an alcoholic drink before the establishment closes
| We'll have two more screwdrivers for last call.
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| lemon, lime wedge noun
| a small segment of lemon or lime put on the rim of a glass
| I'd like a lemon wedge for my ice water please.
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| lineup noun/verb
| a number of people waiting for something
| Is this the lineup to pay or get seated?
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| liqueur noun
| alcohol that has a syrupy/sweet taste
| Can I offer you a coffee liqueur to go with your dessert?
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| make change verb + noun
| give customers money back from a payment
| We can make change if all you have is large notes.
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| manager noun/adjective
| person in charge of a section of a restaurant
| I'd like to speak to the floor manager about the service.
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| melt verb
| warm to soften (i.e. cheese/butter)
| First, melt two tablespoons of butter in the microwave.
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| menu noun
| a booklet of all of the food that can be ordered
| Do you have a children's menu we could see?
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| microwave noun
| a small appliance that heats and cooks food quickly
| We can heat your dinner in the microwave if you like.
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| mild adjective
| not spicy
| I'd like a half dozen mild chicken wings.
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| nightclub noun
| establishment where adults go to dance and drink alcoholic beverages
| If you work at the nightclub you will have to stay until 2 AM.
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| non alcoholic beverage adjective + noun
| a drink that resembles a certain drink without the alchohol
| Can I order a non alcoholic beer?
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| notepad noun
| paper that a server uses to write down orders
| Just let me grab my notepad and I'll take your order.
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| on the rocks preposition + noun
| on ice
| I'll take a whiskey on the rocks.
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| on the side preposition + noun
| request for a food item to NOT be put on top of another food item
| For the nachos, can we have the sour cream on the side?
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| order verb/noun
| make a request to a server
| Is everyone ready to order lunch now?
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| over charge verb
| give a customer a bill that is too high (by mistake)
| I think you over charged us for our drinks; we only had one each.
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| pack up verb
| put in a take-out container for the customer to bring home
| Would you like me to pack up the rest of that pizza?
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| party noun
| group of people at or waiting for a table
| A party of twelve just walked in without a reservation.
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| patio noun
| outdoor seeating
| We closed the patio because it looks like it's going to rain.
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| paycheque noun
| money given to the staff every week or two
| You'll get a paycheque every other Monday.
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| pitcher, jug noun
| a container with a spout to pour water, beer, or other beverages out of
| We'll take a pitcher of beer with four glasses.
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| portion noun/verb
| a separate amount of food
| The chicken fingers are already portioned in the freezer.
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| pour verb
| dispense liquid from a container
| Can I pour you folks another glass of water?
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| prepare verb
| get food ready
| The servers have to prepare the salads themselves.
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| pub noun
| establishment that specializes in casual food and alcoholic beverages
| I can wear whatever I want when I work at the pub.
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| punch clock and punch card noun
| a machine that staff members place a card into when they begin and finish a work shift
| I don't want staff members hanging around the punch clock.
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| punch in, out verb
| put a card in the punch clock to mark the time you start and end a shift
| You can punch out as soon as you finish sweeping the floors.
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| punch something in verb
| enter an order into a computer system
| I'm going to punch in a large order now, so get ready.
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| rare adjective
| cooked meat that is pink inside
| This steak is too rare for me to eat.
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| recipe noun
| list of ingredients and instructions for preparing a certain type of food
| Our chef is so talented that he almost never bothers with a recipe.
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| regulars noun
| people who come into an establishment often
| You can give the regulars a complimentary drink from time to time.
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| reservation noun
| a request to have a table saved for a certain amount of people
| We don't take any reservations; it's first come first served here.
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| restrooms noun
| place for people to use a toilet and wash hands
| The restrooms are to your left and down the stairs.
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| roll-up noun
| a set of cutlery wrapped in a napkin
| Before we punch out we have to prepare enough roll-ups for the night shift.
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| rush noun
| a large amount of customers arriving at the same time
| We always have a rush after church on Sundays.
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| rush noun/verb
| prepare quickly for a certain reason
| Can you put a rush on this spaghetti; I forgot to punch it in.
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| sauce noun
| liquid flavouring added to food
| What kind of sauce would you like on your ice cream, butterscotch or chocolate?
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| schedule noun/verb
| a notice of the time and date each staff member has to work in a certain period of time
| If you want to book off a day, let me know before I make the schedule.
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| seasoning noun
| dry flavouring added to food
| He wants the chicken plain without any seasoning.
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| self-serve adjective
| the customers bring their own food items to the table and do not pay for service
| We have a buffet on, so it's self-serve for lunch.
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| senior's discount noun
| a reduced price for people over a certain age (i.e. over 65)
| We have a senior's discount of 25% off on Mondays.
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| separate cheques adjective + noun/verb +noun
| a different bill for each member/group sitting at a table
| We asked for separate cheques but it all came on one bill.
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| serve verb
| look after a customer, bring items to a customer
| Is there someone in charge of serving out on the patio?
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| set verb
| get a table ready with items such as cutlery and glassware
| I need you to clear and set table five for a party of eight.
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| shade noun
| place outside that is not in the sun
| We'd like to sit on the patio if there is any shade.
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| shot noun
| one ounce of alcohol served in a small glass (shot glass)
| Let's do a shot to get this party started.
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| shooter noun
| an ounce of alcohol and juice combined
| Is there a shooter that has orange juice in it?
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| side dish noun
| choice of food that goes with a main meal
| The two side dishes are mashed potatoes or french fries.
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| sour adjective
| acid or fermented taste
| I think the milk has gone sour from sitting out of the fridge too long.
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| sous chef noun
| staff member who works under and assists the main chef
| Our sous chef is leaving to become the head chef at another restaurant.
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| specials noun
| items that were prepared particularly for a certain day and are usually at a reduced price
| Would you like to hear the specials before you decide on lunch.
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| specialty noun
| food item that a restaurant is popular for
| Homemade fish and chips is our specialty.
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| spicy adjective
| hot flavour
| Any item with three chilies beside it means that the dish is very spicy.
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| stay verb
| to eat in the restaurant
| Are these coffees to go or to stay.
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| stir, mix verb
| spin round and round with a spoon
| Stir the soup for a few minutes before you serve it.
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| straw noun
| long hollow plastic stick for drinking out of
| Can I please get a straw for my ice tea?
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| straight up adjective
| alcoholic drink without any mix or ice
| He always has a straight up glass of rum after his meal.
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| substitute verb
| replace one item for another
| Can I substitute the carrots for corn?
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| supervisor noun
| staff member in charge of watching over things and dealing with problems
| When I'm not here George will be your supervisor.
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| sweet adjective
| taste with a lot of sugar
| If you like sweet things, you'll love our chocolate cheesecake.
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| take-out adjective/verb
| food that is packed up and eaten at home
| You can either eat in or order food to take-out.
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| two-minute check noun
| a visit to a table approximately two minutes after the food has been served to check for satisfaction
| Don't forget to do your two-minute check to make sure the steak is cooked properly.
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| terminal noun
| computer system for punching in food orders
| There's one terminal in the kitchen and one on the bar.
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| till noun
| drawer of a cash register that money is kept in
| You need a key to open the till and make change.
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| to go verb
| to take out of the restaurant
| We're just going to order a pizza to go.
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| toppings noun
| food items that go on top of other food items to add flavour
| What type of toppings would you like to have on your pizza?
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| uniform noun
| clothing that staff members have to wear
| The uniform here is black pants and a white shirt.
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| waiter, waitress noun
| staff member in charge of taking orders and serving food and beverages
| When I got promoted from a hostess to a waitress I started making tips.
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| waiting list noun
| list of groups who want a table to eat at
| We have a twenty minute waiting list tonight.
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| warm up verb
| heat food to an enjoyable temperature for eating
| Would you mind warming up the baby's bottle for me?
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| well- done adjective
| cooked for longer than average
| The meat was so well-done it had no flavour.
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| wine list noun
| a menu of all of the wine you can order from the glass, litre, or bottle
| You will notice that we have a lot of local wine on our wine list.
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| winery noun
| a place where wine is made, tasted, and sold
| There is another winery up the hill that you might enjoy stopping at.
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| wine tasting adjective
| sampling different types of wine
| If you are intersted in trying some wines you should go on a wine tasting tour.
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Are you ready to take your first table? Here are some questions that you may need to ask your guests. Fill in the blanks with the appropriate word. Check your answers and then move on to the guests' responses.
Appetizer/ cooked/ decided/ finished/ interest/ needing/ save/ separate cheques/ so far/ specials
1. Can I _________ anyone in a cold beverage to start?
2. Has everyone _________ , or do you need a few more minutes with the menus?
3. Would you like to hear today's ____________?
4. Is anyone interested in soup or salad as an ____________ ?
5. How would you like your steak _____________?
6. Is there anything else you'll be ________________ just now?
7. And how is everything _______________?
8. Are you all ____________ with your plate?
9. Did anyone _____________ room for dessert tonight?
10. Is this all together, or would you like ________________?
If you are going to be working in a restaurant, it is important that you understand the menu. Different menus use different words to mean the same thing. They also use certain words to make food sound more delicious. It isn't just the server who should know the menu. Hosts, bartenders, and bussers may also get asked questions about the menu from the guests. Cooks have to know the menu inside-out as well. After all, if an item says it is smothered in mozzerella cheese it can't just have a sprinkling of cheddar.
Working in the food and beverage industry may also mean working where the food gets stored, prepared, and cooked. The kitchen area, which is also where the dishes get cleaned, is commonly referred to as the back of the house. Whether the establishment is a restaurant, cafe, or fast-food joint, there are a number of different jobs in the back of the house, all requiring different types of English skills. Even though you may not have to deal with English guests directly, you will have to understand their needs. You may also need to communicate with coworkers whose first language is English. Study the expressions, vocabulary, and dialogue and then check your understanding by taking the quiz.