Chef de cuisine

{{Short description|Manager of a kitchen}} {{redirect|Head chef|the television series|Head Chef (TV program)}} {{Infobox occupation | name= Chef de cuisine | image= The chef de cuisine.jpg | caption= ''The chef de cuisine'' (painting by Henri Brispot) | official_names= Head Chef  | type= Profession | activity_sector= Cooking |competencies= Cuisine expert, management of the menu, kitchen, and staff | formation= | employment_field= Restaurants, hotels, dining facilities | related_occupation= }} A '''chef de cuisine''' ({{IPA|fr|ʃɛf.də.kɥi.zin}}, French for ''head of kitchen''), also called '''CDC''' or '''head chef''', is a chef who leads a kitchen and its cooks.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.atlantamagazine.com/covereddish/2014/06/10/restaurant-eugene-turns-ten-brian-jones-promoted-to-chef-de-cuisine|title=Restaurant Eugene turns ten, Brian Jones promoted to chef de cuisine|author=Carly Cooper|date=10 June 2014|work=Atlanta Magazine|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714195326/http://www.atlantamagazine.com/covereddish/2014/06/10/restaurant-eugene-turns-ten-brian-jones-promoted-to-chef-de-cuisine|archive-date=14 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sfgate.com/restaurants/article/French-Laundry-chef-Thomas-Keller-s-recipe-for-5536678.php|title=French Laundry chef Thomas Keller's recipe for success|author=Amanda Gold|date=8 June 2014|work=SFGate}}</ref> A '''chef patron''' (feminine form ''chef patronne'') (French for ''boss chef'') or '''executive chef''' is a chef that manages multiple kitchens and their staff.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MNIdCgAAQBAJ&q=%22Chef+patronne%22&pg=PA294|title=From the Tables of Britain: Exploring Exciting English Cuisine in 250 Recipes|first=Elisabeth Lambert|last=Ortiz|date=January 15, 1986|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield|isbn=9781590774953|via=Google Books}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fft.ie/head-to-head-with-frankie-mallon-owner-chef-patron/22129|title=Head to Head With: Frankie Mallon, Owner Chef Patron|first=Dianne|last=Curtin|access-date=2019-10-15|archive-date=2019-10-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191015175056/https://www.fft.ie/head-to-head-with-frankie-mallon-owner-chef-patron/22129|url-status=dead}}</ref>

== Function ==

[[File:PORTRAIT JEAN SULPICE.jpg|thumb|right|250px| The French chef Jean Sulpice]]

The chef de cuisine is in charge of all activities related to the kitchen, which usually include creating menus; managing kitchen staff; ordering and purchasing stock and equipment; plating design; enforcing nutrition, safety and sanitation; and ensuring the quality of the meals that are served. Chef de cuisine is the traditional French term, meaning "chief of the kitchen" or "kitchen manager", from which the English word ''chef'' is derived.

''Head chef'' is often used to designate someone with the same duties as an executive chef, but in larger restaurants there is usually someone in charge of a head chef such as a general manager who makes executive decisions such as the direction of the menu, has final authority regarding staff hiring and management decisions, and sets the overall tone and style of the restaurant. This is often the case for executive chefs who are in charge of several restaurants. In many restaurants, the executive chef or chef de cuisine will have a line-up/pre-shift meeting with the front of house (FOH) and back of house (BOH) staff in order to prepare for the service and answer questions about the menu. [[File:Larry Forgione, chef, River Cafe, NYC.jpg| thumb|right|250px|The American chef Larry Forgione at The River Café in New York City]] In some food operations, the executive chef may assist in designing the menu, dining room and kitchen. He or she may also work with food purveyors, catering directors, equipment vendors, financial consultants, the media, sanitation inspectors and dietitians.<ref>Labensky, Sarah, et al. (2015). ''On Cooking: A Textbook of Culinary Fundamentals''. Pearson Education, Inc. pg.11</ref>

An executive chef generally does not partake in food preparation or catering of patrons. Despite the title containing the word ''chef'' it is uncommon for executive chefs to cook and be in a kitchen.

== See also == {{portal|Food}} * List of restaurant terminology * Brigade de cuisine

== References == {{reflist}}

Category:Chefs Category:Culinary terminology