‘Professional in a toque’ NYT Mini Crossword clue Sept. 2 answer and hints

Unless you’re a professional in this industry, knowing the right answer to today’s NYT Mini Crossword clue—”professional in a toque”—may feel impossible.

This clue, “professional in a toque,” is one across in the Sept. 2 NYT Mini Crossword puzzle. And while it may not refer to a professional in a secret organization (like I thought), it’s just as mysterious if you don’t know what a toque is.

‘Professional in a toque’ NYT Mini Crossword clue Sept. 2 hints and answer

• Hint 1: It starts with a “C.”
• Hint 2: It ends with an “F.”
• Hint 3: This is Gordon Ramsay’s profession.
• Hint 4: A toque is a type of hat.

The answer to the “Professional in a toque” clue is “CHEF.” A toque is a tall white hat that’s typically worn by chefs and can be of various shapes and sizes. A toque can also refer to a beanie. But, in terms of this clue, a chef is the professional who wears a toque.

NYT Sept. 2 Mini Crossword puzzle: All clues and answers

Across

• 1A Professional in a toque—CHEF
• 5A “I’m not a ____” (online affirmation next to a checkbox)—ROBOT
• 7A Love, in Italian—AMORE
• 8A Wards (off)—FENDS
• 9A Secret rendezvous—TRYST

Down

• 1D Woodcarving or metalsmithing, e.g.—CRAFT
• 2D It’s going…going…gone!—HOMER
• 3D Dark wood once used for drinking cups, as it was thought to neutralize poison—EBONY
• 4D Focuses on the road?—FORD
• 6D One might be multiple-choice—TEST

‘Professional in a toque’ NYT Mini Crossword clue difficulty

I was at a loss; I didn’t know what a toque was. Truthfully, I thought it might be something like a group or an organization. So, I finished the crossword, saw the answer, and researched it—that helped me realize what a toque was and how the answer could be “chef.” Because this clue’s on the mysterious side, I’d give it a difficulty of four out of five.

Games like the NYT Mini Crossword

If you’re looking for games like the NYT Mini Crossword puzzle, try the mini crossword puzzles from the LA Times or the Washington Post. Or, if you like word search games, try the NYT’s Strands or Spelling Bee games.