Lesson one: understanding the basics

Escoffier's Kitchen Brigade System

[aka: know what you're talking about when you engage in cook-speak]

Chef de cuisine: the head honcho, the big cheese, the big (wo)man on campus.  Responsible for the development of the menu, supervision of all kitchen stations, and ordering - among others.

Sous chef: second-in-command to the chef de cuisine.

Saucier: saute chef.  Responsible for all sauteed items and their sauces.

Poissonier: fish chef. Responsible for all things fish-related.

Rotisseur: roast chef. Responsible for all roasted foods and their jus or other sauces.

Grillardin: grill chef. Responsible for grilled foods.

Friturier: fry chef. Responsible for all fried foods.

Potager: soup chef. Responsible for preparing soups.

Legumier: vegetable chef. Responsible for preparing vegetables.

Entremetier: another kind of vegetable chef, with responsibilities of both the potager and legumier.

Tournant: roundsman. Does whatever needs to be done in the kitchen.

Garde-manger: cold foods chef.  Responsible for the preparation of cold foods.

Boucher: butcher. Responsible for butchering meats, poultry, fish, etc.

Patissier: pastry chef. Responsible for baked items, primarily desserts.

Confiseur: prepares candies and petits-fours.

Boulanger: prepares breads.

Glacier: prepares frozen and cold desserts such as ice creams and sorbets.

Decorateur: responsible for decorating mostly cakes.

Expediter/announcer: responsible for accepting orders from the dining room and relaying them to the kitchen.

Communard: responsible for helping to prepare the 'family meal,' or the meal for the staff.

Commis: literally - the kitchen apprentice.

Maitre d'hotel: dining room manager.

Chef de vin/sommelier: wine steward.

Chef de salle: head waiter.

Chef d'etage: captain.

Chef de rang: front waiter.

Commis de rang: busboy.

--------> "commis de rang" is the French word for "busboy."  You have to appreciate how the French language makes even the most demeaning-sounding English words appear achingly beautiful as they roll off the tongue.