[Fr.; = ‘head, chief’; used absolutely for chef d’office or chef de cuisine.] The man who presides over the kitchen of a large household; a head cook.
1842. Barham, Ingol. Leg., St. Romwold. The chef’s peace of mind was restored, And in due time a banquet was placed on the board.
1850. Thackeray, Pendennis, xxvii. The angry little chef of Sir Francis Clavering’s culinary establishment.
1860. All Y. Round, No. 74, 567. You have … finally decided on the menu with your chef.
