B1Monologue3 Min.

Telling a Caller That Your "Chef" Is a Manager, Not a Cook

"My chef is in a meeting" — and the caller pictures a restaurant. Why German "Chef" is not English "chef", plus the key phone phrases.

SceneMarkus tells the story of a call from London in which a single word — "chef" — made the caller believe he had reached a restaurant.

0:00 / 3 Min.

Tip: listen to the episode twice before you start the test. · Worksheet (PDF)

✓ To the comprehension test

Markus — Office manager, trading company

Listen first, then answer. No penalties — every explanation points to the moment in the conversation.

01What is this episode about?

02How does the caller from London react?

03In English, a "chef" is a professional cook.

04The customer never called again and the contract was lost.

05Which word is missing?

May I take a ___, or shall I ask him to call you back?

06Which word is missing?

I apologise — I mean my ___, Mr Weber.

07Put the events of the call in the correct order.

Transcript

The full transcript opens after the comprehension test — so you train real listening instead of reading along.

German support

MarkusHello and welcome to the Simmonds Business English Podcast. My name is Markus, I manage the front office of a trading company, and today I have a phone story for you — about a cook who never existed.

MarkusA few weeks ago, a customer from London called our office. My colleague Sandra answered. The customer wanted to speak to our boss, Mr Weber, about a contract. Sandra is new in the team, and her English is good — but false friends do not care how good your English is.

MarkusSandra wanted to say: „Mein Chef ist in einer Besprechung." So she said: "I'm sorry, my chef is in a meeting right now."Sie übersetzte „Chef" wörtlich – und das ging schief.

MarkusThere was a pause. Then the customer laughed and said: "Your chef? I didn't know I was calling a restaurant! What's on the menu today?" Sandra had no idea why he was talking about food.„Ich wusste nicht, dass ich in einem Restaurant anrufe!"

MarkusHere is the problem. In English, a "chef" is a professional cook — someone who works in a restaurant kitchen. The German word „Chef" is a false friend. The correct English words are "boss", "manager", or "supervisor".„Chef" auf Englisch = Koch! Richtig sind „boss", „manager", „supervisor".

MarkusIn a formal phone call, the best choice is a name or a job title: "Mr Weber, our managing director, is in a meeting." If you talk about your own workplace informally, say "my boss". "My manager" also works, especially in bigger companies. On the phone, a clear job title prevents confusion before it starts.

MarkusSandra recovered well. She said: "I apologise — I mean my boss, Mr Weber. He is in a meeting until three o'clock. May I take a message, or shall I ask him to call you back?"Darf ich etwas ausrichten, oder soll er Sie zurückrufen?

MarkusThat is the perfect structure for this situation: apologise briefly, give the correct information, and offer two options — take a message or arrange a call back. If you take the message, write it down, repeat the phone number, and confirm what happens next. The customer chose the call back, and the contract was signed a week later.

MarkusSo remember: your Chef leads the company, a chef cooks dinner. On the phone, say "my boss" or use the job title — and always offer to take a message. Thanks for listening, and talk to you next time.

Key phrases

boss

the person you work for — the correct word for German "Chef"

My boss is in a meeting until three.

chef

a professional cook in a restaurant — a false friend for Germans

The chef recommends the fish today.

supervisor

the person directly responsible for your work

Please ask your supervisor to approve the request.

managing director

the top manager of a company (British English)

Our managing director will join the call at ten.

to take a message

to write down information for someone who is not available

He's not at his desk — may I take a message?

to call back

to phone someone again later

Could you ask her to call me back this afternoon?

I apologise

formal way to say sorry

I apologise for the confusion — I meant our sales manager.

job title

the official name of a position

Her job title is Head of Purchasing.

Language notes

In this episode a false friend turns an office into a restaurant: "My chef is in a meeting" makes the caller picture a cook. You learn the correct words for German "Chef" (boss, manager, supervisor) and the standard phrases for when the person requested is unavailable (level B1).

False friend: Chef ≠ chef

The English "chef" works only in the kitchen — the word comes from the French "chef de cuisine". German "Chef" has three translations depending on context: "boss" (informal, spoken), "manager" or "supervisor" (your direct superior), and the specific title ("managing director", "head of sales") in formal situations. On the phone with customers, name plus title is the safest choice.

When the person requested is unavailable

Sandra's recovery follows a pattern you can copy directly: apologise briefly ("I apologise"), give the correct information ("He is in a meeting until three o'clock") and offer two options ("May I take a message, or shall I ask him to call you back?"). The double option feels service-oriented because the caller stays in control.

Humour on the phone: laugh along, move on

British business partners like to defuse awkward moments with a joke — like the menu here. The best reaction: laugh along briefly, correct yourself concisely and continue professionally. Ignoring the mistake or over-apologising makes the moment bigger than it is. Sandra's "I apologise — I mean my boss" is exactly the right dose.

Keep practising: Learn business English online — with real teachers from Simmonds, since 2004.

Frequently asked questions

What language level is this episode for?

Level B1 (CEFR). The monologue uses clear everyday business English; the vocabulary list explains all eight key phrases bilingually.

How do you say German "Chef" in English?

"Boss" (informal), "manager" or "supervisor" (your direct superior), or the specific title such as "managing director". Never "chef" — that is a cook in a restaurant.

What do I say on the phone when my boss is unavailable?

"Mr Weber is in a meeting until three o'clock. May I take a message, or shall I ask him to call you back?" — information plus two service options.

Is there a transcript to read along?

Yes, the full transcript with German support notes is on this page — listen first, then take the test, then read along.

Where can I practise English phone calls live?

In the online business English courses from Simmonds Language Services (englisch-lehrer.com/online): live lessons with real teachers on Zoom, for companies and individuals across Germany. It starts with a free consultation.

Want to practise these phrases in a real conversation?

The podcast trains your ear — in our online lessons you practise the conversation yourself, with real teachers. For companies across Germany since 2004.

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