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Chit
Ever wondered how restaurant kitchens keep track of all those orders flying in during a busy dinner service? The answer is often a small but mighty piece of paper called a chit.
What is a chit?
A chit is a printed order ticket that tells kitchen staff exactly what to prepare. When your server enters your order into the point-of-sale (POS) system, it generates this slip of paper that prints automatically in the kitchen.
Think of a chit as the crucial translator between what you order at your table and what eventually arrives on your plate. It’s the kitchen’s roadmap for your meal.
Anatomy of a chit
A typical chit contains critical information:
- Table number (so food runners know where to deliver the order)
- Server name (for accountability and questions)
- Time stamp (when the order was placed)
- Seat numbers (which guest ordered what)
- Menu items with specific preparations and modifications
- Course information (appetizers, entrées, etc.)
- Special instructions or allergies
Why chits matter in restaurant operations
Chits serve several vital functions:
Organization: During peak service, a kitchen might handle dozens of orders simultaneously. Chits create a visual system for prioritizing and processing these orders.
Accuracy: Written documentation reduces errors compared to verbal orders.
Timing: Chits help kitchen staff coordinate so all items for a table are ready at the same time.
Accountability: Chits create a paper trail if questions arise about an order.
Communication: They provide a standardized language between front and back of house.
Chits in action
Imagine a Friday night at a busy restaurant:
- A four-top places their order with the server
- The server enters it into the POS terminal
- Seconds later, a chit prints at the appropriate kitchen stations
- The expediter (or chef) organizes the chits in order of priority
- Cooks pull chits as they begin preparing each order
- As items are completed, chits move to the pass (where food is plated and finalized)
- The expediter uses the chits to ensure complete orders leave the kitchen
In modern restaurants, digital kitchen display systems sometimes replace paper chits, but the function remains the same.
Beyond the kitchen
Interestingly, the term “chit” has origins outside restaurants. Historically, chits were used as vouchers or receipts in British colonial settings. The word likely derives from the Hindi word “chitthi,” meaning “note” or “letter.”
Today, while most diners never see them, chits remain the unsung heroes of efficient kitchen operations!
