Head Chef vs Executive Chef: Who Has More Power & Pay?

Did you ever wonder why two cooks in the same space are paid very differently, depending on their skills and seniority? It is not as vague a mystery as you would think, you know.” The conflict between head chef and executive chef is a matter of confusion for most professionals who wish to grow in their careers. Although both these positions sound alike, they differ in power, responsibility, and even salary by a great margin. If you choose the wrong road, you might get a slower rise in your promotions and a smaller paycheck so let’s resolve it once and for all.

Head Chef vs Executive Chef – Key Differences

What Is a Head Chef?

The daily kitchen activities of a restaurant are managed by the head chef. They do different activities like cooking and being in charge of the staff, getting and checking quality, and planning the menu. The head chef is usually the main person in the kitchen at a restaurant, making sure everything goes on well when the service hours come.

They handle:

• Daily menu execution
• Team supervision
• Inventory and hygiene standards
• Training junior chefs

A head chef is always present and very much involved in the kitchen operations.

What Is an Executive Chef?

The executive chef is more a strategist than a tactician. He or she is in charge of several kitchens or restaurants, makes the budget, supplier contracts, and hiring decisions, and manages the reputation of the brand. The position is mainly one of leadership rather than cooking.

They focus on:

• Business planning
• Cost control
• Multi-location management
• Brand development

Think of them as the CEO of the kitchen department.

Head Chef vs Executive Chef: Who Has More Power?

In terms of authority, the executive chef clearly holds more power. While a head chef manages one kitchen, an executive chef supervises several teams and reports directly to ownership or top management.

Executive chefs make decisions that affect:

• Restaurant profitability
• Staffing structure
• Expansion plans
• Supplier partnerships

If leadership and business influence excite you, the executive chef role offers bigger control.

Head Chef vs Executive Chef: Salary Comparison

Here’s where it gets interesting. While head chefs earn well, executive chefs earn significantly more.

Typical salary ranges:

Head Chef: ₹60,000 – ₹1.5 lakh/month

Executive Chef: ₹1.5 lakh – ₹4 lakh/month

Executive chefs earn higher due to:

• Broader responsibilities
• Business accountability
• Brand management duties

If income growth is your priority, the executive chef path offers stronger financial potential.

Real Career Example

Before a head chef, Rahul was a five-star hotel kitchen of a five-star hotel. à He succeeded in running his room for four years, developed his leadership skills, learned the budgeting, and moved on to the executive chef role. His salary doubled in a year, and he was given three outlets to manage.

Lesson learned:Skill expansion = salary expansion.

Which Role Should You Choose?

Choose head chef if:

• You love hands-on cooking
• You enjoy kitchen action
• You prefer daily operations

Choose executive chef if:

• You enjoy leadership
• You want business exposure
• You aim for higher salary and influence

Both roles are prestigious, but your personality decides the right fit.

How to Become an Executive Chef Faster?

To move up faster:

• Learn food costing and budgeting
• Improve leadership skills
• Take certified culinary management courses
• Gain multi-outlet experience

These steps can accelerate your promotion timeline.

Ready to upgrade your chef career?

Apply now and let our experts match you with high-paying executive chef jobs worldwide!

FAQs

1. Is an executive chef higher than a head chef?

Yes. An executive chef is the highest in the chef hierarchy and monitors several kitchens or departments.

2. Who gets paid more – head chef or executive chef?

Executive chefs are paid a lot higher, and this is a result of their taking charge and the business perspective.

3. Is it possible for a head chef to be promoted to an executive chef?

Of course! By obtaining proper training and acquiring the essential business skills, head chefs can smoothly switch over to an executive chef role.

4. Which position has longer career growth opportunities?

Executive chef offers the best in terms of growth, pay, and influence in the industry.

5. Does your company help chefs find executive roles?

Yes! Alliance connects executive chefs with top hotels and restaurants globally, offering personalized career placement support.

Our USP

• Verified employers
• International job access
• Career mentoring