sous-chef

American

[soo-shef, soo-shef] / ˈsuˌʃɛf, suˈʃɛf /

noun

plural

sous-chefs

the second in command in a kitchen; the person ranking next after the head chef.

Etymology

Origin of sous-chef

< French, equivalent to sous under (< Latin subtus (adv.) underneath, below) + chef chef

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Now, “people are eating more chicken thighs—for protein, for flavor, and for economical reasons,” said Chef Eric Huang, Pecking House’s founder and a former Eleven Madison Park sous-chef.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 19, 2026

With the help of my sister, his reliable sous-chef, he cooks up beautiful, restaurant-quality food on a regular basis.

From Salon • Jan. 11, 2024

Nestle and fluff the ingredients of this sous-chef salad with cooked and raw vegetables.

From New York Times • Dec. 30, 2022

The cram course in haute cuisine food prep enabled Edebiri to approximate the skill set of a gifted sous-chef.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 22, 2022

Gogol is grateful for something to do, to be occupied and productive, even in the role of sous-chef to Donald.

From "The Namesake" by Jhumpa Lahiri

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023