sous-chef

American  

[soo-shef, soo-shef] / ˈsuˌʃɛf, suˈʃɛf /

noun

plural

sous-chefs

1. the second in command in a kitchen; the person ranking next after the head chef.

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Etymology

Origin of sous-chef

< French, equivalent to sous under (< Latin subtus (adv.) underneath, below) + chef chef

Example Sentences

Now, “people are eating more chicken thighs—for protein, for flavor, and for economical reasons,” said Chef Eric Huang, Pecking House’s founder and a former Eleven Madison Park sous-chef.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 19, 2026

With the help of my sister, his reliable sous-chef, he cooks up beautiful, restaurant-quality food on a regular basis.

From Salon • Jan. 11, 2024

The cram course in haute cuisine food prep enabled Edebiri to approximate the skill set of a gifted sous-chef.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 22, 2022

This sous-chef salad includes vegetables, canned tuna and hard-boiled eggs.

From New York Times • Jul. 15, 2022

I ran back to the kitchen before one of them could offer to be my sous-chef.

From "From the Desk of Zoe Washington" by Janae Marks