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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
More than 27 wineeries from Baja’s Valle de Guadalupe will pour tastings of more than 65 different wines, and Valle executive chef Roberto Alcocer will prepare accompanying gourmet bites. Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Sep. 2025 The area is also celebrating Native American Heritage this month with a First Foods dinner on November 22, led by executive chef Jack Strong, a member of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, and showcasing the talent of Indigenous chefs across the region. Mark Ellwood, AFAR Media, 29 Sep. 2025 Singer's suit adds that Williams improperly paid herself $98,000 for executive chef services during a time when the restaurant was not open. Lyndsay C. Green, Freep.com, 26 Sep. 2025 Henderson is a best-selling author and the former executive chef at the Café Bellagio in Las Vegas. Cameron Knight, Cincinnati Enquirer, 26 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for executive chef

Word History

First Known Use

1902, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of executive chef was in 1902

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Cite this Entry

“Executive chef.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/executive%20chef. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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