Everybody has been in a cafe and wondered what actually goes on behind the back doors separating the kitchen from the dining area. Nearly all have thought they'd like to be a fly on the wall, to find out how the chicken is really created.

Similar to many organizations, from collection agencies to zoos, the general public has little to no clue what happens on a daily basis behind the scenes. What we understand as consumers is we are welcomed at the door, walked to our table be a hostess and buy our food from a server. How the meal proceeds from menu to plate mainly remains a mystery.

How do Cafes Normally Perform?

Cafes are often called by owners and staff as "shops". Tables are recognized by the quantity of seats. Consequently a table for 2 is called a "2 top". Customers with a party of 4 are placed at a "4 top". The number of tables and/or chairs is regarded as the proportions of the business.

Guests typically feel a buffer between the dining area and the kitchen. This undetectable buffer actually has a name. Cafes are divided into two portions: the FOH and BOH. Or, "Front Of (the) House" and Back Of (the) House". the "front" is the host area and dining-room. The kitchen is regarded as the "back".

Eating place employees are categorized based on their individual positioning. Hosts, servers and buses are considered "front" staff. While the chefs are thought as "back" employees. A good rule of thumb is if a person functions primarily in the kitchen, they are part of the back.

Dining establishments are often manned with hosts, servers, captains, buses, dishwashers, prep cooks, line chefs, sous chefs and supervisors. The general public is familiar with 3 of these, hosts, servers and buses. The others are likely unfamiliar.

Captains, direct servers or supervisors are in control of the front house employees. Preparation cooks prepare the food, line cooks actually cook the food. Sous chefs observe the food. Finally, the overall supervisor oversees every thing.

Exactly what Really Happens in a Cafe Kitchen?

As stated, dining establishments are a businesses. Businesses are in operation to earn money. Here is a glimpse at some statistics obtained from local Toronto cafes:

* 25 percent of kitchen employees acknowledge taking food off the floor to continue cooking food.

* Almost all don't have fresh foods deliveries on Sunday. Food provided Monday through Saturday is used.

* 50 percent of cooks admit going to work while literally unwell or injured, which includes those coming back with stitches from cuts.

* fifteen percent acknowledge the "veggie" dishes are usually not completely real.

* A small section of these surveyed stated they will use "special offers" to clean-out the refrigerator and save money.

* 60 % are truly frustrated when customers ask for alterations.

* 60 % might also like their own cooking tv program.

* Some confessed that unused bread baskets are "reused".

* 75 percent admit to formula plagiarism; they copy other restaurateurs' menus.

* Wine bottles are offered for 2 1/2 times the rate of liquor stores.

Out of the heartland of Indy, Courtney Taylor looks out of place in the chic French bistros of New york city. In reality, her favorite food is italian sausage. She thinks about moving home sooner or later, but she makes a decent livelihood in New york.

Author's Bio: 

He is a web development consultant and designer living in Manhattan.