Service

Definition

The actual time period when a restaurant is actively cooking and serving food to customers. It's the main event, the showtime, the moment all that prep work actually matters (or doesn't).

Example Usage

During Friday night service, the kitchen was slammed with orders and tickets were flying everywhere.

Origin

From the concept of 'serving' food to customers; adopted as industry shorthand

Fun Fact

Line cooks measure their career by how many 'services' (shifts) they've survived; 500+ services and you're considered seasoned.

Source: Standard restaurant industry terminology

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