Cocinero vs. chef
In Spanish, while both cocinero and chef refer to a person who cooks, they are not interchangeable. The main difference lies in the level of professionalism, training, and hierarchy within a kitchen.
Cocinero
A1Cocinero is the general Spanish word for cook. It can describe anyone who prepares food, from a person cooking at home to a professional working in a restaurant kitchen. It does not necessarily imply a leadership role or formal culinary training.
El restaurante necesita contratar un cocinero para la línea de producción.
(The restaurant needs to hire a cook for the production line.)
Mi padre es un excelente cocinero, especialmente los fines de semana.
(My father is an excellent cook, especially on the weekends.)
La cocinera de la escuela prepara la comida para trescientos niños cada día.
(The school cook prepares food for three hundred children every day.)
Busco un trabajo como cocinero en un hotel.
(I am looking for a job as a cook in a hotel.)
Aprendió a ser un buen cocinero trabajando en la cafetería de su tío.
(He learned to be a good cook by working in his uncle's cafeteria.)
Chef
A2Chef is a term borrowed from French (chef de cuisine) that denotes a professional, highly-trained cook who typically holds a leadership position. A chef is often responsible for creating menus, managing the kitchen staff, and overseeing the entire culinary operation.
El chef dio instrucciones precisas a su equipo de cocineros.
(The chef gave precise instructions to his team of cooks.)
La nueva chef del restaurante ha diseñado un menú de degustación increíble.
(The restaurant's new chef has designed an incredible tasting menu.)
Para ser un gran chef se requieren años de estudio y dedicación.
(To be a great chef requires years of study and dedication.)
El famoso chef apareció en un programa de televisión para mostrar su receta secreta.
(The famous chef appeared on a television show to demonstrate his secret recipe.)
El chef ejecutivo es el máximo responsable de todas las cocinas del hotel.
(The executive chef is ultimately responsible for all the hotel's kitchens.)
Summary
In essence, use cocinero as the general, all-purpose term for any cook, whether professional or amateur. Reserve chef for a professional cook with formal training and a position of leadership and creative responsibility in a kitchen. While every chef is a cocinero, not every cocinero has earned the title of chef.