Hacker News new | ask | show | jobs
by jrandm 2276 days ago
That's an odd nit to pick and I don't think it's accurate. In case you haven't heard the term sous-chef[0]:

> Sous-chefs are in charge of making sure all kitchen equipment is in working order. [...] Under the oversight of the sous-chef, downtime should be used for prepping, cleaning and other kitchen duties.

In the body of a document titled "Mise en Place Writing," I do believe the author meant exactly that chefs[1] are the ones making sure all forms of preparation are completed, even if it means working the prep station.

In fact, I'd go so far as to say I'm certain this particular author checked a resource like a list of culinary terms or restaurant terminology[2] during a "pre-writing" phase like "Research" before using those words at all.

[0]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sous-chef

[1]: "A chef is a trained professional cook and tradesman who is proficient in all aspects of food preparation" emphasis added by me, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chef

[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_restaurant_terminology

1 comments

Of course I've heard of that term, and that's a different job position. In more standard HN jargon, that's like saying a senior tech lead is the same as a tech contractor. One of them runs the floor, the other follows their instructions.

Just because it has the word "chef" in it, does not make the sous-chef "chef". Sure, in layman's terms they are "a kind of chef" but in professional terms, they are not. There's only one chef, they're the CEO of kitchen, they rarely prep.