The Most Overlooked Part of Kitchen Execution: Communication

We talk endlessly about:

• recipes

• prep standards

• station setup

• timing

• flow

• ticket management

But there’s one piece of execution that doesn’t get nearly enough attention:

Communication.

Not yelling.
Not reacting.
Not pointing fingers.

I’m talking about clear, calm, intentional communication — the kind that keeps a kitchen moving even when you’re buried.

Here’s What Poor Communication Looks Like:

• Cooks saying nothing when they’re behind

• Expo assuming instead of asking

• FOH and BOH on different planets

• Managers stepping in too late

• Tickets piling up with no plan

• “He said / she said” confusion

Bad communication isn’t a personality flaw.
It’s a culture flaw.

Here’s What Good Communication Sounds Like:

• “I need two minutes on grill.”

• “Refire coming, walking in hot.”

• “Behind, corner, sharp!”

• “You good, or need a hand?”

• “Running low on prep — call it now.”

Short.
Clear.
Actionable.

This is the language of a controlled kitchen.

Why It Matters

Communication impacts:

• speed

• accuracy

• morale

• consistency

• teamwork

• safety

• stress

When communication breaks, execution breaks.

Final Thought

Great kitchens don’t run on talent — they run on communication.