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

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

New executive chef Chris Conlon has served as Rock Libation’s Culinary director since 2023. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Aug. 2026

Recently recruited executive chef Spencer Coplan serves an inventive menu blending seasonally appropriate Hudson Valley farm-to-table, Americana, and international influences. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Aug. 2026

The group is headed by president Gabriel Rosado, director and executive chef of Hospitality & Nutrition Services at Powers Health. — Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1902, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for executive chef

• clef
• deaf
• ref