The chief can grant 100 food per day even in the very beginning, and though it's not as helpful from the start, can help speed other workers along. He can also act as parent, healer, and can keep the fire going. He's not a terrible detriment, in my opinion, especially if your first chief turns out to be the child, as happened to one of my tribes, where the chief was a 6-year old girl.
I should point out that the chief will undertake none of these tasks himself; you have to put him on the job every time. So if your chief is your sole healer, for instance, you will need to keep a close eye on your tribe.
Edited by Lurkily (06/12/08 09:17 PM)