1 Kitchen Brigade SystemCulinary Arts Kitchen Brigade System

2 Background Developed by EscoffierStreamlines and simplifies work in hotel kitchens Eliminates chaos and duplication of effort Each position has a station and defined tasks.

3 Chef (chief) Responsible for all kitchen operations OrderingSupervision of all stations Development of menu items a.k.a.– “chef de cuisine” or executive chef

4 Sous (under) Chef 2nd in command Answers to chefResponsible for scheduling Fills in for chef Assists the station chefs as needed Smaller operation may not have a sous chef

5 Station Chefs (chefs de partie)A.K.A. “line cooks” and include: Saucier – sauté́ station Poissonier – fish station Rôtisseur – roast station Grillardin – grill station Friturier – fry station Entremetier – vegetable station Tournant – roundsman Garde-manger – pantry chef Boucher – butcher Pâtissier – pastry chef

6 Saucier Sauté station Responsible for all sautéed items and saucesConsidered the most demanding, responsible, and glamorous on the line

7 Poissonier Fish station Responsible for fish items Includes butcheringTheir sauces Sometimes combined with saucier position

8 Rôtisseur Roast stationResponsible for all roasted foods and related jus or other sauces.

9 Grillardin Grill station Responsible for all grilled foodsMay be combined with Rôtisseur

10 Friturier Responsible for all fried foodsMay be combined with Rôtisseur

11 Entremetier Responsible for hot appetizersFrequently does the soups and vegetables, starches and pastas May also do egg dishes In a fully traditional brigade system: Potager – soup station Legumier - vegetables

12 Tournant Roundsman a.k.a. – swing cookWorks as needed throughout kitchen

13 Garde-manger Pantry chef Considered separate category of kitchen workCold food preparations Salads Cold appetizers Pâtés

14 Boucher Butcher Butchers meats, poultry, and occasionally fishMay bread meat and fish items Often considered part of garde-manger

15 Pâtissier Pastry chef Responsible for baked items, pastries and desserts Often supervises separate kitchen area or separate shop in larger operations Areas of specialization: Confiseur – prepares candies, petits fours Boulanger – prepares non-sweetened doughs Glacier prepares frozen and cold desserts Cecorateur – prepares show pieces and special cakes

16 Other brigade positions:Aboyeur – expediter or announcer: accepts orders from dining room and relays to various stations chefs Is last person to see plate before it leaves kitchen. This could also be the sous chef or kitchen steward Communard – cooks for the staff Assistant – works under a chef de partie to learn the station and its responsibilities

17 Dining Room Brigade System“Front of the House” Chain of command: Maître d’hôtel – dining room manager, host or hostess Chef de vin or sommelier – wine steward Chef de salle – head waiter Chef d’étage - captain Chef de rang – front waiter Demi-chef de rang or commis de rang – back waiter or busboy

18 Maître d’hôtel Dining room manager, host, or hostessMost responsible for front-of-the-house operation Trains all service personnel Oversees wine selection Works with chef to determine the menu Organizes seating throughout service

19 Chef de vin Wine stewardResponsible for all aspects of restaurant wine service Includes: Purchasing wines Preparing a wine list Assisting guests in wine selection Serving wine properly Ma be assumed by the Maître d’hôtel

20 Chef de salle Head waiter In charge of service for entire dining roomPosition is often included in either captain or maître d’hôtel

21 Chef d'étage Captain Deals directly with guests once seatedExplains menu Answers any question Takes order Does tableside food preparation If no captain responsibilities fall to front waiter

22 Chef de rang Front waiterAssures table is properly set for each course Food is properly delivered to table Sees that needs of guests are promptly and courteously met.

23 Demi-chef de rang Back waiter or busboyNormally first position assisgned to new dining room workers Clears plates between courses Fills water glasses, bread baskets Assists the front waiter and/or captain as needed.

24 Summary Brigade systems used in both kitchen and dining rooms have clearly defined jobs. Having clearly defined job descriptions keeps a restaurant organized. A good manager creates an environment where everyone feels they have a distinct and measurable contribution to make within the organization. Recruitment and retention of employees is easier with proper management.

25 The End