Definition

In service context, the number of times a table is seated during a shift. More turns equals more money, which is why servers get twitchy watching campers linger over dessert.

Example Usage

We need at least two turns on every table tonight to hit our numbers, so keep that service moving.

Origin

Restaurant industry shortening of 'table turn' or 'turnover'

Fun Fact

High-end restaurants might accept just one turn per table per night, while casual spots aim for three or more to stay profitable.

Source: Restaurant management and service terminology

Related Terms

Advanced

clarification

The process of removing impurities from stocks or liquids to achieve crystal-clear transparency, typically using egg whites, egg shells, and ground meat. The culinary magic trick that transforms murky liquid into something that looks like it was never made from bones.

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stage

An unpaid trial shift where aspiring cooks prove their worth through free labor, disguised as a 'learning opportunity.' Pronounced 'stahj' to sound more French and therefore more legitimate.

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comfit

A confection consisting of nuts, seeds, or spices coated in multiple layers of sugar, popular in medieval times when people had different dental insurance. These candy-coated treats required patience and skill to create, as each layer had to dry before the next was added. Think of them as the original jawbreakers, but fancier and less likely to be used as weapons.

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carbonize

The fancy culinary term for "I turned it into charcoal," involving the chemical transformation of organic matter into carbon through excessive heat application. It's what happens when you answer one text while cooking and suddenly your dinner becomes a science experiment. Professional chefs call it technique; the rest of us call it ordering takeout.

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render

The process of cooking fat out of meat at low temperature until it liquefies, leaving behind crispy bits and liquid gold. Patience is required; high heat will burn instead of beautify.

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bat it out

To cook and serve orders extremely quickly without compromising quality, usually during an intense rush. Requires skill, speed, and mild superhuman abilities.

🍳 Food / Culinary

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