The culinary industry is often thought of as being male-dominated, but that is rapidly changing. Today, women are making their mark in the culinary world, with more and more women pursuing careers as chefs. Yet, despite the growing number of female chefs, there is still confusion around what they should be called. In this blog, we will explore the different terms used to refer to female chefs and their origins.

Historical Context

The term "chef" is derived from the French word "chef de cuisine," which means "head of the kitchen." The first recorded use of the term "chef" in English was in the 19th century, and it has been used ever since to refer to professional cooks.
In the past, the culinary industry was largely dominated by men, and the term "chef" was typically used to refer to male chefs. Female chefs were a rarity, and they were often referred to using gender-specific terms like "cookess" or "kitchen maid." This reflects the broader social norms of the time, where women were not seen as equals to men in the workplace.
However, over time, women began to make their mark in the culinary world. In the 1960s and 1970s, a new wave of female chefs emerged, breaking down barriers and challenging the idea that cooking was solely a man's domain.

Chef
The most commonly used term to refer to a professional cook is simply "chef." This term is gender-neutral and can be used to refer to any chef, regardless of their gender. However, some people still use the term "chef" to refer only to male chefs, while referring to female chefs as "chefette" or "cheffette." This is not a correct usage of the term and can be seen as disrespectful.
Chef de Cuisine
The term "chef de cuisine" (literally "head of the kitchen") is often used to refer to the head chef or executive chef of a restaurant. This term is gender-neutral and can be used to refer to any head chef, regardless of their gender.
Chef Patronne
In French, the term "chef patron" is used to refer to the owner of a restaurant who is also the head chef. When a female chef is the owner and head chef, the term "chef patronne" is used. This term is gender-specific and recognizes the female chef's dual role as both owner and head chef.

Cheffe
The term "cheffe" is a French feminine form of the word "chef." It is used to refer to a female chef, particularly in French-speaking countries. However, the term "cheffe" is not commonly used in English-speaking countries.
Chefess
The term "chefess" is a gender-specific term that is used to refer to a female chef. However, this term is rarely used today, and many people consider it outdated and sexist. It is important to avoid using this term as it may be seen as derogatory or belittling to female chefs.
Cheftress
The term "cheftress" is another gender-specific term that is used to refer to a female chef. Like "chefess," this term is considered outdated and is not commonly used today. Using this term can be seen as derogatory and disrespectful to female chefs.

In general, it is important to use gender-neutral terms when referring to chefs. Terms like "chef," "head chef," or "chef de cuisine" are appropriate for both male and female chefs. If a chef's gender needs to be specified, it is appropriate to use terms like "female chef" or "male chef."