We all want to look good no matter what we are doing. But for a chef the clothing they wear is more than just a fashion statement, it represents a centuries old status quo that has become embedded into the cooking culture. The clothing is made with thick material that will protect chefs from burns. Their white apron will also add an extra layer of protection. For this reason, chefs are required to wear a uniform while they are working in the kitchen. This does not mean the chef can’t add their own sense of flare to their attire. Many people have found unique ways to spice up their boring everyday work clothes. A chef has a limited ability to express themselves with their wardrobe at work, but they can wear a neckerchief, comfortable pants, and a hat that best fits their personality.
A neckerchief is a small piece of cloth that wraps around a person’s neck and is tied in the front. Chefs have used a neckerchief in the kitchen for many centuries to wipe away sweat from their brow while they are slaving away over a hot stove. This small item of clothing can greatly assist with the cleanliness of a cooking environment, especially for those who tend to perspire more than others. The neckerchief is still used by many chefs as a traditional formality of the uniform. A neckerchief can come in many colors, but the classic pairing with a chef uniform requires a white cloth. The most popular colors besides the traditional white are black, blue and red.
Working an eight hour shift in a kitchen can be hard work. A cook will stand in one place for long hours over a hot surface while constantly moving to chop foods and carry pots full of food. It can be hard work. This is why chef pants are made with lightweight materials that are loose fitting and comfortable to wear. These pants come in many colors and designs, but the traditional chef uniform requires black and white checkered pants. Most kitchens will not care what your pants look like as long as your coat matches the other cooks. This gives chefs the freedom to add their own style to their uniform. Many chefs opt to wear grey pants because they tend to breathe better than black pants.
Traditional chef’s wear a white toque hat where the height of the hat is indicative of their ranking in the kitchen. Most chefs wear a small hat that covers their hair and doesn’t look quite as goofy as the cartoonish tall toque hat. This is one area where most chefs do not care what is on the cook’s head as long as they are covering their hair from falling into the food. There are many popular styles of hats that are accepted in the kitchen with the most popular being baseball caps and beanies. These hats come in all different colors so you can shake up the boring routine of wearing the same thing everyday.