A kitchen in Spanish refers to any room where food preparation takes place. Most Spanish-speaking countries use the word "cocina" (meaning both room and act of cooking), though its meaning varies regionally; Latin America uses "cocinero" instead (IPA: koh-SEE-nyo).
English and Spanish share similar terms for various food and kitchen appliances, making it easier for everyone to locate what they need in their kitchens regardless of which language they speak. Below is a table comparing common food items, kitchen utensils, and appliances found across both languages.
Learning kitchen Spanish can be both entertaining and useful in helping to expand your understanding of Spanish. Furthermore, it will assist in preventing miscommunication in a fast-paced restaurant environment - something which is often the source of incorrect orders, kitchen accidents and daily stress for staff members. Being on the same page with everyone can boost productivity and efficiency overall.
Kitchen Spanish can also help your restaurant better communicate with its Hispanic employees. Nearly 25% of restaurant industry workers in the United States are Hispanic or Latino; yet many staff only speak their native tongue when communicating. By teaching basic kitchen Spanish phrases to your staff members, they'll feel valued and included.
Addition of Spanish restaurant vocabulary to an employee handbook can be an excellent way to educate new hires on its fundamentals and reduce misunderstandings in the restaurant environment. Furthermore, bilingual worker compliance posters and OSHA documents displayed around your restaurant can promote inclusion and reduce misunderstandings between staff. Furthermore, encouraging staff members who want to take Spanish lessons outside work with PTO, overtime pay or preferred scheduling slots could help their learning.
