What do you call the uniform a chef wear?
MODERN ESSENTIAL COLLECTION
- Modern Fit
- Lightweight Fabric
- Unisex
- Available in Black, White, Graphite & True Red
- Sizes XS-5XL
- Starting at $19.95
Why do chefs wear an uniform that is so distinctive?
Why do chefs wear a uniform that is so distinctive? A long-honoured tradition among chefs throughout the world is to proudly wear their very distinctive uniform. Developed in France in the early 1800s, the attire represents professionalism, quality, cleanliness and status.
Where to buy chef uniforms?
North Shore Linen provides mats, table linen and uniforms, including aprons and chef coats. Workers at the company are represented by two unions — the International Union of Journeymen and ...
Why do chefs wear white uniforms?
Function and Design
- The double breasted pocket is easily reversible to hide stains.
- Thick cotton material protects the wearer from extreme heat and boiling water.
- Well-made options are unlikely to fray from constant washing and drying.
- The black pants and apron hide and block stains and splatters. ...
The Jacket
It is believed that the man who invented the modern uniform is also the man responsible for creating the “high art” style of French cooking. His name is Marie-Antoine Carême. He grew up poor but worked his way to the top of a premier French pastry shop.
Apron
Since heat is a constant factor and danger in the kitchen, everything is designed to help you be as safe as possible. A half apron protects you against spills in the lower section of your body, while a full apron protects all of you.
Side Towel
This towel is meant to grab hot pans, dishes, or any kind of equipment on the fly. Without it, not only are you more prone to burning but if you are constantly looking for a rag, you risk ruining a dish by not being able to remove it from the heat fast enough.
Shoes
Your shoes are arguably the most important part of your ensemble. You can cook with just a t-shirt on and some uncomfortable pants, except imagine doing a fourteen-hour shift on a rigid pair of shoes that offers no protection against slips. Your feet would not only hate you, but you could also injure yourself.
1. Chef Works
The company has been around since the 1960s, all with the mission to provide high-quality products at a competitive price. For example, their hats which have over a thousand positive reviews on Amazon cost less than fifteen dollars.
2. Chef Wear
Chef Wear is another great uniform brand that sells everything you might need. They have a great easy to use website with their own tracking shipment tab. If you want to have a custom embroidery, whether it’s your name, or the name of the company, or both, they make that easy for you too.
4. Bragard
Going the opposite route, this is a premium brand through and through. Their jackets have an average price of $50 or more. They have lower-priced models, but very few. I keep mentioning the jackets but remember that these companies have it all, from the apron to the pants, hat, everything.
What Does a Chef Uniform Consist Of?
There are various components that make up your chef clothing. Chef whites normally includes:
Chef Headwear
Traditional chef hats may have been more about rank and identity than comfort or functionality. The modern version of a chef’s hat has undergone some tweaking in design to comply with more stringent food hygiene regulations to make them more hygienic and secure, as well as easier to launder and maintain.
Hair Nets
Food handlers are required to take all practical precautions to avoid contaminating food and food preparation surfaces. To minimise the risk of falling hair, restaurant kitchens should have a hair net or hat (or both) policy in place.
Chef Jackets and Shirts
Chef jackets should be made from a substantial, superior quality, yet lightweight fabric, which combines comfort and safety. And when you’re working in a demanding kitchen the fabric and design of the jacket must be able to withstand a range of hazards including:
Aprons
Hospitality uniforms are an investment worth protecting. The first and best line of defence is a quality apron. Easier, cheaper and faster to launder and iron than chef whites or hospitality uniforms, aprons perform a vital service in a food service establishment.
Neckerchiefs
The addition of an extra piece of clothing in a hot kitchen can seem a bit counterintuitive but a chef neckerchief or necktie serves the dual purpose of controlling perspiration whilst keeping you cooler.
Chef Pants
As with jackets, chef pants need to be made from high quality, durable fabric which is tear-resistant, lightweight and functional. Pockets should be easily accessible and strategically located.
Traditional Origins
The chef’s uniform we are so familiar with today was originally sketched by the world’s first celebrity chef, Marie-Antoine Carême, in 1822. In his sketch titled, “Le Maitre d’Hotel Francais,” two chefs stood next to each other, each donning white hats, double-breasted coats, and aprons tied around their waists.
The White Double-Breasted Coat
You may be wondering why a chef would dress in all white if they are cooking with sauces and oils that can easily stain.
The Pants
Running around a kitchen for hours on end means wearing comfortable and breathable pants. A chef’s uniform usually has black or white houndstooth patterned pants because it hides stains and spills very well.
The Essential Apron
Home cooks will wear aprons over their clothing to prevent them from staining and getting dirty. Chefs will wear an apron around their waists to protect their legs from hot spills, especially while carrying a plate or hot pot from the stove.
What Do Chefs Wear? The Uniform Overall
Today’s chef’s uniforms come in a variety of colors and fabrics; however white cotton is still the standard due to tradition and the appearance of cleanliness. Hence the name “chef whites.”
Final Words
Anyone who has ever eaten in a restaurant and had the chef come to their table to ask how the meal was must feel very special. Chefs are busy people, and stepping out of the kitchen to check on their clients is what we call “above and beyond.”
Apron
An apron serves many purposes in the kitchen, which is why it’s a standard part of every restaurant employee’s uniform, even if they are not necessarily cooking.
Shoes
Feet are often an afterthought when it comes to cooking, but professionals know the importance of high quality, comfortable footwear, and if you spend a lot of time in the kitchen, you should too.
Fire Resistant Clothing
One of the most important qualities of a professional chef’s uniform is that the materials are made of clothing resistant to flame. The reason for this is obvious; if you’re busy in the kitchen, it can be very easy to accidentally let your sleeve get too close to the flame.
Long Sleeves
It may seem silly to wear long sleeves in a hot kitchen, but professionals know that to do otherwise increases your chances of getting burned, either by fire or hot liquids. A chef’s jacket is a great way to solve this problem; you can simply hang it on a hook in your kitchen and put it on whenever you’re ready to start cooking.
Hair Restraints
There’s no health code that says you have to wear a hat or head cover, but it still makes perfect sense to do so.
Kitchen Towel
While not technically part of a chef’s uniform, a kitchen towel is an important accessory to have on hand in the kitchen. It can mop up spills quickly, keep a cutting board stable on the counter, or remove that hot pan from the oven before you can get to your oven mitt.
