# Chef de Cuisine, Executive Chef, Sous Chef, Pantry Chef

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chef-de-cuisine-executive-chef-sous-chef-pantry-chef/257901>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [August 2, 2004, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chef-de-cuisine-executive-chef-sous-chef-pantry-chef/257901 "2004-08-02T01:53:57Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Carnac\_the\_Magnificent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Carnac\_the\_Magnificent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carnac_the_Magnificent)\
**Post date:** [August 2, 2004, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chef-de-cuisine-executive-chef-sous-chef-pantry-chef/257901/1 "2004-08-02T01:53:57Z")

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Someone recently used the term “chef de cuisine” and I knowingly winked at his reference, having, of course, no Earthly idea what he was talking about.

I hear the term “executive chef” bandied about everywhere these days–including at restaurant chains–but chef de cuisine is new to me. What’s the diff?

Also, my understanding is that the sous chef is the EC’s #1 assistant. But what the devil is a “pantry chef”? I’ve no idea what s/he does, other than stay in the closet, I suppose.

Any other kitchen titles, besides those above?

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**Author:** ![Atticus\_Finch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ec9cab/32.png) [@Atticus\_Finch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atticus_Finch)\
**Post date:** [August 2, 2004, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chef-de-cuisine-executive-chef-sous-chef-pantry-chef/257901/2 "2004-08-02T02:39:13Z")

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The word “chef” is literally “chief” or “head”. So “chef de cuisine” is the head of the kitchen, aka the executive chef or just the chef.

Can’t really help you with the rest of your terms, sorry.

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**Author:** ![Cunctator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/43a26b/32.png) [@Cunctator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cunctator)\
**Post date:** [August 2, 2004, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chef-de-cuisine-executive-chef-sous-chef-pantry-chef/257901/3 "2004-08-02T02:45:31Z")

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> [@Carnac the Magnificent!](#):
>
> But what the devil is a “pantry chef”? I’ve no idea what s/he does, other than stay in the closet, I suppose.

Did you hear this term, or was it written down? Perhaps it’s meant to be \*pastry \* chef, not \*pantry \* chef.

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**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\
**Post date:** [August 2, 2004, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chef-de-cuisine-executive-chef-sous-chef-pantry-chef/257901/4 "2004-08-02T02:45:50Z")

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God, I love the Internet. From [this site](http://www.design-schools-directory.com/pantry-cook-training-course.htm):

> [@](#):
>
> As a Pantry Cook you will be required to deal with and prepare all of the cold or uncooked food items that are involved in the restaurant. Things such as preparation of fruit and salad fall under the realm of your domain. You are responsible for portioning and cold sauces and dips.