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DictionarychefProfessional cook
noun

chef

SHEF/ʃef/

A professional cook, especially one in charge of a kitchen.

The chef finishes a plated meal while an assistant watches.

A professional chef in a plain clean cook jacket carefully finishes a plated meal in a compact kitchen workstation while one assistant watches; leader clearly directing culinary work, no logos.
Etymology
chefLatinhead; leader

Latin caput meant both a bodily head and a leader. Chef applies that leadership image to cooking: it shortens chef de cuisine, literally “head of the kitchen.”

In context

CUNY TV25:18
IT IS HARD ENOUGH TO COOK IN A PROFESSIONAL KITCHEN WITH HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER. IT WAS AN AMAZING THING TO DO THESE EVENTS BECAUSE I COULD SEE THE PERSONALITY OF THE CHEF.
The Stoler Report - Chef/Owner’s View of the Restaurant Market - Part 1/2

More examples

  • Our head chef designs a new menu each season.
  • Two chefs share responsibility for the kitchen.
  • She trained as a pastry chef.

Forms

chef · chefs

Similar words

cook
Cook includes anyone preparing food; chef usually implies professional training or kitchen responsibility.