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
Michael RuhlmanBala 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
John FrenchExamples of executive chef in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Designed by executive chef Miguel Antonio, Astra’s menu features classic American cuisine with a focus on elevated comfort.
—Zacharia Washington, Dallas Morning News, 24 Mar. 2026
Charlotte native Chianti Peek will lead as Amina’s executive chef.
—Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 24 Mar. 2026
The future Z’Tejas executive chef and co-founder of Jack Allen’s Kitchen was working as chef at Chez Fred when Hoover was managing Good Eats Cafe around 1990.
—Matthew Odam, Austin American Statesman, 19 Mar. 2026
Sugar and Scribe owner and executive chef Maeve, whose mother was born in Sligo, Ireland, learned how to bake the classic bread at just three-years-old from her grandmother Kate.
—Kelly McCarthy, ABC News, 17 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for executive chef
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.
Zacharia Washington, Dallas Morning News, 24 Mar. 2026
Charlotte native Chianti Peek will lead as Amina’s executive chef.
—Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 24 Mar. 2026
The future Z’Tejas executive chef and co-founder of Jack Allen’s Kitchen was working as chef at Chez Fred when Hoover was managing Good Eats Cafe around 1990.
—Matthew Odam, Austin American Statesman, 19 Mar. 2026
Sugar and Scribe owner and executive chef Maeve, whose mother was born in Sligo, Ireland, learned how to bake the classic bread at just three-years-old from her grandmother Kate.
—Kelly McCarthy, ABC News, 17 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for executive chef
Cite this Entry
“Executive chef.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/executive%20chef. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
