Definition
A junior cook or apprentice in a professional kitchen, usually fresh out of culinary school and eager to prove themselves. They're one step above dishwasher and several years away from not crying in the walk-in.
Example Usage
The new commis spent his entire first week just learning how to properly brunoise vegetables for the garde manger station.
Origin
French for 'clerk' or 'assistant,' from the classical brigade system
Fun Fact
In traditional French kitchens, a commis might spend years at the same station before being promoted, learning through repetition and occasional humiliation.
Source: French brigade system kitchen hierarchy
Related Terms
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