We quizzed city chefs to test their knowledge on newly introduced kitchen lingo

With a list of food and chef-related words from the 690 that were recently added to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, we quiz city chefs to test their knowledge of kitchen lingo in an exciting face-off

Chef Parvana Mistry, director of operations, Parsi Dairy Farm

. Bussin’
I CAN imagine my children saying this word; I guess having young kids helps to keep up with slang terms. I know they use it to describe something that has got them excited or that’s good, cool or happening.

. Jollof rice
It’s an African rice-based dish but [to a Mumbaikar’s ear] it sounds like a fun combination of jelly and rice, don’t you think?

. Emping
I’m not sure but is it used to describe a crackling texture?

. Cheffy
It’s a nice way of calling a chef.

. My dictionary addition 
Kulfi popsicle - A large pick-and-go popsicle in all kulfi flavours with Indian mithai toppings at Parsi Dairy Farm.

Score
3/4

Chef Moshe Shek, culinary entrepreneur and founder, Knead by Moshe Shek

. Cheffy
To make something very fancy like a chef. An added touch on a simple dish perhaps.

. Zhuzh
Zhuzh? Sounds like a [fancy or funny] pronunciation of juice! Haha!

. Stagiaire
Someone who is training in the kitchen.

Score
2/3

Chef Rahul Shrivastava, executive chef, Sesame - Hyatt Centric Juhu

. Smashburger
The name describes it; it’s when you smash the patty of a burger. Think of aloo tuk; what is it? You take aloo and smash it to make a patty. There you go, smashburger!

. Zhuzh
Oh, what is this? Is this related to making something better, making something in chef-style? 

. Cheffy
It’s the chef way of doing something, it’s chef-style. During the pandemic, everyone was ‘cheffy’, where they made [plated] dishes and took photos of them. We’ve also used this term for the last 15 years. It’s a polite way to call the chef. For instance, the F&B manager calls the chef with love — ‘cheffy, can you please do this’ or ‘cheffy, the guest has a request’.

. Emping
It’s like a papad, it’s a SouthEast Asian chip-like item.

. My dictionary addition
Okay, chef - This phrase is an emotion. It means ‘I hear you, whatever is said will be done’. There are variants across fields like ‘yes, captain’.

Score
4/4

Chef Akash Deshpande, chef de cuisine, Nava

. Stagiaire
A person who interns in the kitchen for free for a few months instead of going to culinary school.

. Jollof rice
No clue! I’m assuming it’s a dish of flavoured rice.

. Smashburger
I know this, it’s when you press down or smash the patty of a burger.

. Bussin’
Is it related to a busboy?

. My dictionary addition
Bhasad - I’m pretty sure every chef uses this term. It refers to the time when the kitchen is extremely chaotic or busy.

Score
3/4

Correct Answers

Emping:  A slightly bitter cracker or chip popular in Indonesia that is made from the dried flattened seed of the melinjo tree

Stagiaire: An unpaid intern working in a professional kitchen as part of their training to become a chef

Smashburger:  A hamburger patty that is pressed thin onto a heated pan or griddle at the start of cooking

Zhuzh: A small improvement, adjustment, or addition that completes the overall look, taste, etc. of something

Bussin’: Extremely good, excellent

Jollof rice: A West African dish of rice cooked in a sauce of tomatoes and onions seasoned usually with garlic, thyme, hot pepper, and other spices and often accompanied by meat, fish, or vegetables

Cheffy: Characteristic of or befitting a professional chef (as in showiness, complexity, or exoticness)

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