Select the most appropriate option to fill in the blank.
That night the dinner was special, and the _________ himself came out to read out the menu list.

The context of the sentence mentions a "special dinner" and reading out a "menu list". The person responsible for preparing the meals and designing or presenting the menu in a professional culinary setting is the chef.
While a servant might serve food, reading out the special menu list directly to explain the dishes is characteristically done by the head chef on special occasions. Hence, 'chef' is the most appropriate fit.