executive chef

noun

plural executive chefs

: the head chef of a professional kitchen or of a group of professional kitchens

the restaurant's executive chef and owner

His résumé was filled with Connecticut restaurants …; at Le Coq Hardi Restaurant in Stamford, he was, variously, … first cook, sous chef, and finally executive chef.

—Michael Ruhlman

Bala Kumanan, a French-trained chef, oversees the quality of the food … as the executive chef of the high-end restaurants that span from Vancouver to Ottawa.

—John French

compare chef de cuisine

Examples of executive chef in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Mediterranean menu was developed in close collaboration with Sébastien Broda, executive chef of the Vineta’s Oetker sister property, and several Hotel du Cap signatures have made the trip across the Atlantic. — Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 4 Sep. 2026

Musume, the Asian fusion sushi and steakhouse damaged by the January 2024 Sandman Hotel gas explosion, will reopen in November with a new executive chef, a nine-course omakase and the historic bank vault preserved as a private dining tatami room. — Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Aug. 2026

Bill Briand, executive chef-owner of little bird in Fairhope, Alabama, always begins with lunch at Herbsaint, followed by dinner at La Petite Grocery and cocktails at The Polo Club. — Amber Love Bond, Southern Living, 31 Aug. 2026

Castro will receive the Humanitarian Award for his 25-year-long career in the food industry as an executive chef, private chef, culinary instructor and restaurant owner. — Isabelle Farina, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1902, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for executive chef

• clef
• deaf
• ref