chef

American  

[shef] / ʃɛf /

noun

1. the chief cook, especially in a restaurant or hotel, usually responsible for planning menus, ordering foodstuffs, overseeing food preparation, and supervising the kitchen staff.

2. any cook.

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chef British  

/ ʃɛf /

noun

1. a cook, esp the principal cook in a restaurant

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Etymology

Origin of chef

From French, dating back to 1835–45; chief

Example Sentences

A kitchen manager keeps a careful eye on costs and resources, working in tandem with the chef to make sure the pantry hums efficiently.

From Salon

The chef’s kitchen is equipped with a marble island and seating area, plenty of cabinet space, and state-of-the-art appliances.

From MarketWatch

“Those margins are slim,” says Sawyer, Kindling’s chef partner and a James Beard Award winner.

From The Wall Street Journal

“Our proximity to the ocean allows chefs to work with some of the freshest seafood in the world, while luxury resorts attract international talent, creating dining experiences that are both authentic and world-class,” says Rifzan.

From Salon

Played with boundless enthusiasm by S. Z. Sakall, Felix is one of the great, undercelebrated chef characters in popular culture: rotund, ebullient, deeply competent, and visibly delighted by his own work.

From Salon