dying on the pass

Intermediate 🍳 Food / Culinary

Definition

Food sitting under heat lamps getting crusty and sad while waiting for the rest of the table's order. Every second it waits, quality dies a little more.

Example Usage

"That salmon has been dying on the pass for five minutes, where's the garnish?"

Origin

Professional kitchen slang, 'pass' referring to the expediting area where finished plates await service

Fun Fact

Most proteins start losing optimal temperature and texture after 90 seconds under a heat lamp.

Source: Professional kitchen terminology

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