Restaurant Vocabulary

Grater (noun) refers to a kitchen tool with sharp-edged perforations used to shred foods, especially cheese or vegetables. It denotes both the device and, in some contexts, the action or result of grating. The term emphasizes the instrument’s function and its tactile, repetitive use in food preparation.

Griddle refers to a flat, heated cooking surface or pan used for frying foods like pancakes and eggs. The term can denote the device itself or the action of cooking on such a surface. It implies even, steady heat and a smooth, flat area, typically metal, capable of browning without steaming.

Grill (noun): A device or structure for cooking food over direct heat, typically featuring a grate. It can also refer to a barred protective frame or the upper edge of a furnace. In conversation, “grill” often conveys the act of cooking or the apparatus used in outdoor culinary settings, sometimes metaphorically implying a rigorous interrogation when used as a verb in other contexts.

Grinder is a noun meaning a device or person that grinds, especially a machine used for reducing solid material to smaller particles. It can also refer to a person who grinds or grinds away at work or a difficult, tiresome task. The term is commonly used for tools (coffee grinder) and in slang for someone who pushes hard or works relentlessly.

Herb is a plant or plant part used to flavor, fragrance, or garnish, often with leaves or leaves and stems. In American English it also refers to a person with special knowledge or experience, as in “an herb of science.” The term can denote culinary seasonings or medicinal plants, and it functions as a common noun in everyday language as well as a specialized term in cooking, botany, and horticulture.

Host (noun): a person who entertains guests, presents a program, or serves as the host of an event. It can also refer to a large number or multitude, such as a host of problems. In everyday speech, the word signals hospitality, leadership, or the central figure coordinating an occasion or broadcast.

Juicer is a device or tool that extracts juice from fruit or vegetables, typically by mechanical means. As a word, it’s used in both product descriptions and casual talk about kitchen appliances. In pronunciation, it presents a simple CV-CVC structure with a light, unstressed ending, making clear the /dʒ/ onset and /ər/ rhotacized final syllable in many dialects.

A room or area equipped for cooking and food preparation, typically containing appliances, counters, and storage. In everyday use, it refers to where meals are cooked and often includes a sink and work surfaces. The term highlights both the functional space and its social, domestic context.

Kitchenware refers to articles employed in food preparation and serving within a kitchen, including utensils, cookware, and small appliances. It denotes a category of goods used in domestic cooking, distinguishing them from food itself or restaurant equipment. The term carries a pragmatic, everyday connotation, focusing on durable, practical items rather than fashionable dinnerware.

Knife is a short, singular-edged implement used for cutting or slicing. It is typically made of metal with a sharp blade and a handle, and is often found in kitchens or workshops. In pronunciation, the word begins with a silent K followed by a vowel-less consonant blend, yielding a compact, crisp onset and a trailing, high-amenable vowel sound.

Ladle is a noun or verb referring to a long-handled spoon with a deep bowl used for dipping and transferring liquids, or the act of using such a spoon. It typically describes a kitchen utensil or the action of scooping broth or sauce. The term conveys a practical, domestic context and is common in cooking and food preparation.

Lemon is a small citrus fruit with a bright, tart flavor and yellow rind. In language terms, it is a common noun used to name the fruit, as well as an adjective in some contexts (as in lemon-scented). The word carries a short, light stress pattern and typical English vowel-consonant sequence, making it a good test case for vowel clarity and syllable timing in connected speech.

Linen is a noun referring to fabric made from the flax plant or to household items (like linens) made from that fabric. It denotes a lightweight, breathable material with a slightly crisp texture, commonly used for apparel and bedding. The term also historically covers linen cloth in general, and it appears in phrases describing the fabric’s origin or quality.

Manager is a noun referring to a person responsible for directing operations, supervising staff, or supervising a project or team. It denotes a leadership or administrative role within an organization, often implying responsibility for performance and resource allocation. The term encompasses both middle and senior level roles, and is frequently used in organizational and business contexts.

Mince is a verb meaning to cut food, especially meat, into very small pieces. It can also be used metaphorically to describe reducing something in size or value. In culinary contexts, it emphasizes uniform, fine texture, while in phrases it can imply reducing or trimming something more broadly. The term is common in cooking instructions and culinary writing.

Mise is a French noun meaning 'putting,' 'placing,' or 'assembly,' often seen in culinary terms like mise en place. It can also appear in phrases borrowed into English to mean a planned arrangement or setting. In pronunciation, it’s typically pronounced as two syllables with an /i/ or /iː/ quality and a silent-e-like vowel influence from French, yielding a light, clipped final vowel.

Mixer is a two-syllable noun or verb referring to a device that blends ingredients, or to the act of blending. In noun form, it typically denotes a kitchen appliance or party event where people mingle; as a verb, to mix foods or substances. The word emphasizes action or device involvement in combining different elements.

Mortar is a noun meaning a bowl-shaped vessel used for pounding and grinding substances, or a substance used in construction to bind bricks, stones, or tiles together when mixed with a binder like cement. It can also refer to the act of pounding in a mortar and pestle. In modern contexts, it often designates the binding material in masonry and the tool’s action.