Reader: Talk about title inflation -- now every pizza joint has an exec chef?

Jonah Munson, the exec chef of the two locations of the Walnut Room, has a lot on his plate. Including dealing with naysayers who wonder why a pizza place -- even a pizza place with two addresses -- has an exec chef in the first place. See also: - Justin...

By Patricia Calhoun

August 8, 2013

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Jonah Munson, the exec chef of the two locations of the Walnut Room, has a lot on his plate. Including dealing with naysayers who wonder why a pizza place -- even a pizza place with two addresses -- has an exec chef in the first place. See also: - Justin Munson, exec chef on the Walnut Room, on yard sales and mixers - Justin Munson: "You're no better than your staff." - In the kitchen with Jonah Munson: peach pie

Says Denver Dave:

This really has nothing to do with Jonah. I'm sure he's a nice guy and has some industry chops. My issue is when did every cook get promoted to Executive Chef? I blame Westword (in part) for the lack of distinction between an Executive Chef, a Chef, a Sous Chef, etc. etc. on down the line. After reading so many of these Westword articles proclaiming that the cook in question is an Executive Chef, I wonder if anyone knows the definition anymore. Just because you are the "senior" (or in some cases, the only cook) in a restaurant does not automatically make you the Exec. Talk about title inflation -- jeez. Now every pizza joint has an Exec: NOT.

What defines an exec chef for you?

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Patricia Calhoun is editor-in-chief of Westword, the alt-weekly she co-founded in September 1977. She’s been inducted into the Colorado Press Association Hall of Fame, the Association of Alternative Newsmedia Hall of Fame and the Colorado Restaurant Association Hall of Fame. She’s also received dozens of local, state and national awards for writing, including first place for feature writing and first place for column writing with the Society of Professional Journalists. Patricia is a weekly commentator on Colorado Inside Out, PBS 12's public affairs roundtable, which has won two Emmys.

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