BUYING CHEFS CLOTHING
Dating back to the mid-19th century, chefs clothing is one of the most recognisable work uniforms in existence. French chef Marie-Antoine Careme, who was known as ‘King of Chefs’ and the ‘Chef of Kings’, is credited with developing the current uniform. The uniform chosen was white, due to the fact that it signifies cleanliness.
THE CAREME TOUCH
The tall hats worn by chefs had already been introduced, but Careme wanted to create a more specific uniform to honour the chef. The chefs wore the tall hats and the younger cooks wore shorter haters, more like a cap - it’s believed that Careme wore a hat that was 18 inches tall.
WITHSTANDING THE HEAT
As chefs have to stand near a heat source for long hours, the pieces selected must be made of a non-flammable cotton fabric. It is important that you make sure that the design, cut and size is also suitable and practical; the uniform you purchase should be easily washable and fabricated with quality material so as to ensure them a long life. A chefs uniform always needs to look clean and presentable.
CHEFS CLOTHING
Chefs Jackets
Chef jackets are double breasted so they can easily be reversed to hide stains and are made using a double layer of cotton that’s designed to provide safety against the heat of the stove and splashing of hot liquid. Many have knotted cloth buttons that can withstand frequent washing and the abuse that comes from constant contact with hot pots and other kitchen equipment. While white tends to be the common choice, black is becoming favourable as it doesn’t stain so easily. When selecting a chefs jacket, you will find there are many styles and brands around, including the option of long or short sleeves.
Chefs Pants
Chef pants often have a checkered pattern - usually black and white - to help hide small stains. They’re usually made of a cotton or polycotton – cotton blend, and can come in Teflon coated polycotton to rebel spillages and dangerous hot liquids for extra protection. They are designed for all day comfort in the kitchen and easy laundering.
Chefs Hats
The traditional chef hats, or toque blanche, has been worn by chefs since the 1500s. Today there is a variety of styles available which range from the skull caps to baseball caps. Some restaurants assign their cooks hats of different sizes to help distinguish rank within the kitchen; executive chefs and sous chefs wear tall hats, while line cooks wear shorter ones.
Chefs Apron
Aprons come in a range of styles and colours; from the traditional white bib aprons made of sturdy cotton or a cotton mix to the stripped aprons known as butchers aprons. While the traditional white apron is still favoured, there is a variety of styles available such as waist aprons and four-way aprons.
Chefs Footwear
A kitchen is a busy environment and spills will inevitably happen, so safety needs to be considered when it comes to chef shoes. It’s important to remember that chefs are on their feet all day long, rushing around to ensure that food is prepared on time. It’s vital that all chefs wear shoes with excellent traction; many chefs wear clogs or slip-on shoes with washable insoles and slip resistant soles. Shoes should also be fully enclosed and provide support for the body and feet. Clogs are popular because they can easily be slipped off if boiling water falls.