sous-chef

American  

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

noun

plural

sous-chefs

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

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Etymology

Origin of sous-chef

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

Example Sentences

She’s got main-character energy throughout the series, as a football thrower for Elroy, a homework helper for Judy and a dinner sous-chef for Jane.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

She hands Prado a cutting board and tells her sous-chef to cut the tomatoes.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 22, 2024

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

This sous-chef salad includes vegetables, canned tuna and hard-boiled eggs.

From New York Times • Jul. 15, 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