dragging

Definition

When a dish or station is running behind schedule, slowing down the entire kitchen's timing. The culinary version of being the weak link in a relay race.

Example Usage

Sauté is dragging hard tonight—everything else is ready but we're waiting on their entrees.

Origin

Restaurant service terminology, implying being pulled or held back

Fun Fact

A consistently dragging station often results in the chef reorganizing the entire brigade or, more dramatically, replacing the cook mid-service.

Source: Professional kitchen communication

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