Introduction
For this assignment, the task was to develop three different definitions of a relatively complicated word used within my discipline or profession. In addition, some of the important requirements are a situation, four expansion strategies, one visual and a reference list. Even though I am studying Computer Science right now, I have decided to choose a word from my previous discipline. This word, back-of-house, is a term that is often used in hospitality, and I believe that it would be helpful for others to learn about this term.
Situation:
The Cook is complaining to the manager that the restaurants’ back-of-house gets the lowest pay despite doing most of the work.
Parenthetical definition
The back-of-house (non-public area of an establishment) staff breaks during off-peak time.
Sentence definition
The back-of-house is the heart of establishments that are not accessed by the public most of the time. That is where all the behind-the-scenes operations such as washing, receiving, cooking and office work happen.
Expanded Definition
The back-of-house is a term used mainly in restaurants or hotels for areas that are not accessed or seen by the public and its abbreviation is BOH (EricT_CulinaryLore). It is the heart of the house and is where all the behind-the-scenes operations such as washing, receiving, cooking and office work happen. The back-of-house, in addition to the front-of-house, are essential components of establishments.
Comparison and Contrast
The back-of-house includes all departments and staff you do not often see when visiting establishments. Some back-of-house staff like kitchen managers or housekeepers can be seen if they leave the back-of-house area and walk around. The front-of-house operations include all the departments and staff you would most likely see when visiting establishments. Front-of-house staff includes front desks, servers, cashiers, hosts, bussers, dining room managers. Some of the front-of-house staff would have access to the back-of-house area and often enter and exit the areas.
What does it not mean?
The back-of-house does not involve front-of-house operations, nor does it involve customer service (Wilson 7). The BOH positions do not include servers or bussers, even though these staff would enter the kitchen.
What are its parts?
The back-of-house often includes the kitchen area, storage, receiving, office area, laundry rooms and employee rooms. In addition, some establishments would combine some smaller areas, such as the combination of food preparation, service area, cleaning/washing area, storage and meal cooking in the kitchen (see Figure 1). Sometimes if the kitchen is an open kitchen, it is visible to the guests, but it is still part of the back-of-house.
Figure 1: Infographic of Kitchen Layout (King, 2021)
Conclusion
Knowing more about what the term back-of-house means would allow individuals to differentiate the difference between back-of-house and front-of-house. It could also ensure that individuals know what happens behind the scenes and become more appreciative of the services they receive.
Works Cited
EricT_CulinaryLore. “What Is Foh and Boh in the Restaurant Business?” CulinaryLore, 20 May 2015, https://culinarylore.com/dining:what-is-foh-and-boh-in-restaurants/.
King, Mary. “Design your Kitchen Layout”. Fit Small Business, March 30, 2021. https://fitsmallbusiness.com/restaurant-floor-plan/
Wilson, Eli Revelle Yano. Front of the House, Back of the House: Race and Inequality in the Lives of Restaurant Workers, New York, USA: New York University Press, 2020. https://doi.org/10.18574/9781479800674
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