Spanish · People & Family
"Chef (cook)" in Spanish: chef / chef
el chef / la chef
Note: also: el cocinero / la cocinera
Chef is el chef or la chef in restaurant Spanish. Home cooks often say cocinero, but menus keep chef. Menus and kitchens still keep the French loanword chef.
Restaurant praise
El chef preparó un menú increíble.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce chef / chef
Say it
shehf
/tʃef/
shehf. Same soft sh as English chef. Plural is often los chefs.
"Chef (cook)" in Spanish: quick reference
| Spanish | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| el chef / la chef | the chef Restaurants and professional kitchens. | Restaurants and professional kitchens. |
| el cocinero / la cocinera | the cook Everyday word at home or small eateries. | Everyday word at home or small eateries. |
| chef ejecutivo | executive chef Head of a large kitchen team. | Head of a large kitchen team. |
| hablar con el chef | to speak with the chef Compliments or special requests. | Compliments or special requests. |
How to use chef / chef in real life
- 1Restaurant praise
El chef preparó un menú increíble.
The chef prepared an amazing menu.
El chef is common on dining floors.
- 2Kitchen staff
La chef dirige a todo el equipo.
The chef leads the whole team.
La chef marks a female head cook.
- 3Job talk
Los chefs empiezan muy temprano.
Chefs start very early.
Plural chefs keeps the loanword.
Mistakes English speakers make with chef / chef
Incorrect: La chef es muy bueno.
Correct: La chef es muy buena.
Agree adjectives with la chef: buena, no bueno.
Incorrect: Quiero ser cook profesional.
Correct: Quiero ser chef profesional.
For a restaurant career, chef is the usual title.
Good to know
Restaurant Spanish keeps chef as a loanword. Family cooking still prefers cocinero or cocinera. Both are polite; chef sounds more professional.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
After a tasting menu
ChatPal
¿Quieres saludar al chef?
Do you want to greet the chef?
You
Sí. La chef cocinó muy bien.
Yes. The chef cooked very well.
ChatPal
Entonces vamos a la cocina juntos.
Then let's go to the kitchen together.
You
Perfecto. Llevo un mensaje corto.
Perfect. I'll bring a short message.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Chef (cook)" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Chef (cook)" in Spanish
Does chef change for gender?
Usually el chef / la chef. The noun stays chef.
Chef or cocinero?
Chef fits restaurants. Cocinero fits home and casual talk.
How do I praise the chef?
Felicidades al chef or Qué rico, chef.
Plural form?
Los chefs is common in Latin American menus.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
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