The vocabulary of cooking in French
In professional kitchens, chefs and kitchen staff communicate daily using a multitude of specific terms to facilitate exchanges at work.
Today, we're sharing the vocabulary of professional cooking in French (technical words, verbs, and example phrases) to help you improve your French!
So if you're passionate about cooking, want to work in Switzerland or in a French-speaking country, or simply want to expand your vocabulary, Swiss French School invites you to discover the vocabulary of professional cooking in French.
Professional cooking in French: essential terms
To start, it's essential to know the vocabulary related to kitchen equipment, utensils, and techniques in French. Learn and memorize these lists of words in French!
Professional kitchen: utensils and furniture in French
Below, find the names of kitchen utensils and furniture in French, which will help you navigate a professional kitchen easily:
| English Word | French Translation |
|---|---|
| Mixer | Batteur électrique |
| Peeler | Épluche-légumes |
| Mixing bowl | Saladier |
| Whisk | Fouet |
| Spatula | Spatule |
| Cutting board | Planche à découper |
| Knife, fork, spoon | Couteau, fourchette, cuillère |
| Teaspoon | Cuillère à café |
| Deep fryer | Friteuse |
| Saucepan | Casserole |
| Frying pan | Poêle |
| Fridge | Réfrigérateur |
| (Deep) freezer | Congélateur |
| Pie dish | Moule à tarte |
| Stove | Cuisinière |
| Hood | Hotte |
| Baking paper | Papier sulfurisé |
Cooking techniques in French
Below, you'll find vocabulary related to different cooking techniques in French:
| English Word | French Translation |
|---|---|
| Marinate | Mariner |
| Steam | Cuire à la vapeur |
| Sauté | Faire sauter |
| Braising | Braiser |
| Stew | Faire mijoter |
| Slice | Trancher |
| Boil | Bouillir |
| Dice | Découper les aliments en dés |
| Chop | Hacher |
| Fry | Frire |
| Blend | Mélanger |
Technical vocabulary of professional cooking in French
Discover the different ways to cook your dishes in French with the vocabulary of cooking techniques:
| English Word | French Translation |
|---|---|
| Fold | Incorporer délicatement |
| Plate | Dresser sur une assiette |
| Reduce | Réduire |
| Season | Assaisonner |
| Caramelize | Caraméliser |
| Garnish | Garnir |
| Glaze, deglaze | Glacer, déglacer |
Professional kitchen roles in French
Below, find the names of existing roles in a professional kitchen in French:
| English Word | French Translation |
|---|---|
| Waiter | Serveur |
| Chef | Chef cuisinier |
| Butcher | Boucher |
| Pork butcher | Charcutier |
| Dishwasher | Plongeur |
| Baker | Boulanger, pâtissier |
| Cook | Cuisinier, cuisinière |
| Commis cook | Commis de cuisine |
| Fisherman | Pêcheur |
| Caterer | Traiteur |
| Wine waiter/waitress | Sommelier |
Common phrases in professional cooking
To correctly use all these terms, here are some common phrases in French.
|English Phrase| French Translation| |I need a saucepan to boil the pasta.|J'ai besoin d'une casserole pour faire bouillir les pâtes.| |Could you pass me the whisk? I need to beat the eggs for the cake batter. | Pourrais-tu me passer le fouet? J'ai besoin de battre les œufs pour la pâte à gâteau.| |The chef is sautéing the vegetables in the frying pan. |Le chef fait sauter les légumes dans la poêle.| |Please chop the onions finely for the salad. |Veuillez hacher finement les oignons pour la salade.| |The waiter is slicing the bread for the next clients. | Le serveur coupe le pain pour les clients suivants.| |Could you put the mixing bowl in the dishwasher please? |Pourriez-vous mettre le saladier dans le lave-vaisselle s'il vous plaît?|
Memorizing and using these terms in conversations with your loved ones will help you make significant progress in French. So, the vocabulary of professional cooking in French holds no secrets for you anymore!
Click here to explore the vocabulary needed to go to a restaurant and order food in French.