Jay-Z‘s personal chef just got one hell of a promotion — because TMZ has learned the rapper handpicked the guy to take over the kitchen at his revamped 40/40 Club in NYC.

Sources connected to Jay tell us … Jigga has been VERY hands-on in the $10 million renovation of the first 40/40 Club in Manhattan — and felt the only way to guarantee the food would be up to his standards was to put personal chef, Mike Shand, in charge of the menu.
99 Problems And My Chef Ain’t One
Shand — who’s been working for Jay for years — was appointed Executive Chef of the club and has already packed the menu full of Jay’s personal faves … including a Baja-style catfish.

Jay’s rep tells TMZ, “[Jay] knew that Mike would be able to improve upon the current menu in ways that had the Jay-Z seal of approval because many are dishes that he eats himself on a daily basis.”