chef’s kiss

C

chef’s kiss (idiom)
/ʃɛfs kɪs/

Meaning

• An expression of perfection or high quality, often shown by kissing the fingertips.
• A gesture where one kisses their fingertips and flicks the hand outward to show something is excellent.
• A way to praise something beautifully or skillfully done.
• A sign of satisfaction or delight when something turns out just right.
• A playful gesture showing strong approval or admiration.

Example Sentences

1. The final scene of the movie was chef’s kiss — absolutely flawless.
2. Her homemade lasagna was chef’s kiss, full of rich, comforting flavors.
3. That outfit with the matching shoes and accessories? Chef’s kiss.
4. His timing in the comedy routine was chef’s kiss, making the whole room burst out laughing.
5. The design of the new website is sleek, modern, and just chef’s kiss.

Origin and History

Cultural Gesture from Italy

The concept behind chef’s kiss is believed to have originated in Italy. The gesture — kissing the fingertips and flicking the hand outward — has long been part of Italian expressive culture. This action, often used by chefs or food lovers, is traditionally meant to show that something is delicious or done to perfection. In Italian, similar expressions like al bacio (literally “like a kiss”) are used to describe something exquisite, particularly food. Over time, this physical motion became associated not just with food, but with anything that could be described as outstanding or elegantly executed.

Adoption into Popular Western Culture

Following World War II, cultural influence from Italy spread across Western nations, especially the United States. In marketing and entertainment, characters portraying stereotypical Italian chefs began using this gesture to visually express satisfaction and approval. This made the gesture familiar to English-speaking audiences, even if the actual phrase chef’s kiss had not yet taken root. The motion began to carry its own meaning, often understood without the need for words.

Emergence of the Phrase in Language

While the gesture had existed for decades, the specific term chef’s kiss only began appearing in written English relatively recently. Based on available evidence, the phrase began to show up in print during the early 1990s. It was originally used to describe the gesture itself — a person miming a chef kissing their fingers to indicate excellence. Over time, the phrase evolved from describing the action to becoming a metaphorical expression of perfection in everyday language, even without any physical gesture.

Rise Through Internet and Meme Culture

The popularity of chef’s kiss exploded in the 2010s due to its use on the internet. Online platforms, especially those centered around memes, humor, and pop culture, embraced the phrase. It became a way to dramatically and humorously show approval of anything — from fashion choices to movie endings, meals to memes. Animated GIFs, emoji-like reactions, and parody videos helped transform the phrase from a literal reference into a playful idiom used across global cultures.

Earliest Printed Record

The earliest known use of chef’s kiss in print appears around 1992. In this instance, it was used descriptively to narrate the gesture of kissing the fingers, typically by a chef or someone mimicking one. However, it wasn’t until the 2010s that the phrase began functioning independently of the gesture and gained idiomatic status.

Country of Origin

Although the phrase itself is English, the gesture and concept behind it originated in Italy. Therefore, its cultural origin can be attributed to Italy, but its idiomatic form — as we use it in written and spoken English today — developed in English-speaking countries, especially the United States.

Synonyms

1. spot on
2. top-notch
3. pure perfection
4. a work of art
5. the icing on the cake

Variants

• a chef’s gesture of approval
• a kiss from the chef
• finger kiss of approval
• that’s a chef’s kiss moment

Quality