This is a theory I've not heard before ... and doubt whether anyone else has.

"honour" ..... "bestowed" ......"primary chef"..... sorry this is a bit of a fantasy!

The word chef ("chief") means just means someone who cooks for a living but in a kitchen is normally the "chief" or person in overall charge etc. It's often just short for Executive chef or Chef de cuisine. Todays classic kitchen organisation was largely formalised by Escoffier in his description of the Brigade de cuisine

In the scenario you describe it is hardly likely that the chief is going to promote anyone else to a title only one person can have unless they are a "pastry chef" (in charge of pastry) sous chef (under chef - second in command) .....

In modern times people simply call themselves chefs when they cook for a living in a kitchen. I think you've been too swayed by the latest fad of everybody calling everyone else on these TV cooking programmes "chef" in rather over theatrical hushed and respected tones.