The term "chef" is commonly used to refer to a professional cook who has undergone formal culinary training and works in a commercial kitchen or food establishment. In professional settings, a chef typically has a certain level of expertise, experience, and skill that comes from working in the culinary industry and dealing with the challenges of running a kitchen.
While someone who cooks at home can certainly be skilled at preparing meals and may even have advanced culinary knowledge, calling oneself a "chef" without any professional experience can be misleading or inaccurate. The title "chef" is often associated with a level of professional training, experience, and responsibility that goes beyond cooking at home.
However, there are other terms that home cooks or cooking enthusiasts might use to describe their passion or skills, such as "home cook," "culinary enthusiast," "foodie," or "gourmet cook." These terms acknowledge their love for cooking and appreciation for culinary arts without claiming a title typically reserved for those who have been trained and work in professional kitchens.
In short, while anyone can cook and be skilled at it, using the title "chef" generally implies professional experience and qualifications in the culinary industry.