A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "Compliments to the chef" in French
A polite way to compliment the chef on a delicious meal in a French restaurant.
Félicitations au chef !
fay-lee-see-tah-SYOHN oh SHEFneutral
French TTS · 0:01
Say this after finishing a particularly good meal, either to your server to pass along, or directly to the chef if they are present. It's a lovely gesture of appreciation.
Alternatives
- C'était délicieux !This is a more general compliment about the food itself.
- Bravo au chef !Slightly more emphatic and enthusiastic than 'Félicitations'.
Ways to get it wrong
Pronouncing 'chef'
The 'ch' is like the 'sh' in 'shoe', not like the 'ch' in 'chair'.
Forgetting 'au'
You need 'au' (meaning 'to the') before 'chef' to make it grammatically correct.
A small cultural note
While 'Félicitations au chef !' is perfectly understood, many French diners might simply say 'C'était très bon' or 'C'était excellent' to their server, who will relay the sentiment.
The same phrase in other languages
Frequently asked
When do I say compliments to the chef in France?
You can say it at the end of a meal when you've really enjoyed the food. It's best to tell your server, who can then pass the message on.
Is it weird to talk to the chef directly?
Not at all, if the chef is in the dining room and you have a chance to speak to them. It's a very kind gesture.
What if the food was just okay?
In that case, you probably wouldn't say this phrase. A simple 'Merci' to the server when you leave is sufficient.
