What does the term "asking for a cue" refer to?

The term "asking for a cue" primarily refers to the practice in a kitchen where staff, particularly servers or chefs, request a notification from a cook regarding the status of food preparation. When a server asks for a cue, they are essentially inquiring about when a particular dish is ready to be served, ensuring they can coordinate their service effectively and provide a seamless dining experience for customers.

This understanding is crucial in a bustling kitchen environment, where timing is everything. A cue allows servers to stay informed and ready to serve dishes at the optimal moment, minimizing wait times for patrons and enhancing overall customer satisfaction. The other options, while related to restaurant operations, do not capture the specific context of timing and preparation that "asking for a cue" implies.