Line cook definition

Posted by jolie on January 29, 1999 at 02:05:47:

In Reply to: Re: What means word Line cook? posted by Andrew on January 27, 1999 at 02:06:30:

To add just a bit, which may or may not be accurate these days
--prof chefs, correct me--the "line" part of the "line cook"
title means one of two things: you cook only one aspect (maybe
the potatoes, whatever) that is in the "line" of the meal), or
you cook whatever is the next thing to be cooked--say, if the
cook that precedes you in the line cooks the most
time-consuming part of the meal, you cook what must be ready
(and require less cooking time) so that all will be ready to serve
at the same time). But, I never worked in a fancy restaurant, so
I might be telling you wrong; we just tried to make sure that no
food was ready before the entire meal was. (Not easy without practice!)

At that time (in that little restaurant), the group was dedicated
to three things:
1) allowing all chefs (we were "cooks") to learn all cooking
techniques
2) allowing all to sub for others when necessary
3) hoping that no one got a superiority complex because of the
"I only do pastry" attitude or something...(we went through a
few pastry and "sauce" guys!)

We were a "family." Like too many families, we have split; I wish
I could tell you it was for the better, but I have lost touch with
all but one of my co-"chefs"--who is now an accountant of all
things! (He still cooks for his wife, however.)

Obviously this concept won't work for the fancy schmancy places.
Still, I wish you well.

Jolie (not-a-chef-for-pay-anymore)
My heart is in cooking for my family and friends...

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