Definition
A finished dish that sat too long under heat lamps or got rejected, now destined for the trash or staff meal. The culinary equivalent of a failed project gathering dust.
Example Usage
That filet's been sitting for ten minutes—it's a dead plate now, remake it.
Origin
Restaurant industry slang combining 'dead' (no longer viable) with 'plate'
Fun Fact
In some kitchens, dead plates become impromptu staff snacks, assuming they're still remotely edible.
Source: Restaurant kitchen slang
Related Terms
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See “dead plate” in Corporate Speak, Gen-Z Slang, Pirate Speak, and more.
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