cook

Cook is a term with several related meanings. In its primary sense, a cook is a person who prepares food for consumption, using heat or other methods to transform ingredients. The term covers a broad spectrum from home cooks to professional cooks who work in restaurants and other food-service settings.

In professional kitchens, the word cook is a job title for practitioners who perform specific culinary duties, while the title chef is often reserved for the kitchen leader or a more senior role. Training varies from informal apprenticeships to formal culinary education at cooking schools.

The word cook and its cognates originate from Old English coc, related to Latin coquus, meaning one who prepares food. As a verb, to cook means to prepare food by heating or combining ingredients.

Cook is also a common English surname derived from the occupation. Notable bearers include Captain James Cook, the 18th-century British explorer. The Cook Islands and various places are named after him, reflecting the historical impact of his voyages.