Cooking has become more than a mere response to the basic human need of feeding ourselves. It has become a powerful and transformative tool in the hands of - Chefs. Although a lot has changed, but what hasn’t changed is the fact that Chefs are required to wear uniforms. It has a way of showcasing the neatness and professionalism in the industry.
A typical chef uniform consists of chef jackets, chef pants or trousers, a chef hat, a scarf, an apron, shoes, kitchen dusters. In the past, most Chefs wear a tall hat called a toque Blanche (the French word for “white hat”) which originated due to the gradual evolution of head coverings from the past centuries. Today, chef uniforms have modernized together with the different fashion era. Chefs no longer just wear tall chef hats and 10 buttons chef jacket. Chef uniforms have modernized to many styles, colours, and fabrics to show their personal style and look:
In a set of chef uniform, the chef jacket is an essential part of the uniform that has been used for centuries, and the hat is mostly used to keep hair and sweat from entering the food. But irrespective of the parts, the uniform has a primary function - to keep the Chef safe in a hot kitchen.
But, let’s explore other reasons why a chef uniform is so important.
- Safety: A kitchen Chef is always on his toes, tasked with the responsibility of cooking delicious meals for hungry customers within the shortest possible time. While doing this, Chefs might easily bump into one another, get too close to a kitchen flame or open a pot of boiling water too quickly and be met by a burst of hot steam. The chef jacket is designed in such a way as to keep the chef safe from hot spills, burns, splatters, and other kitchen accidents because it’s made up of double thick, high-quality cotton. Check out Green Chef’s High-Quality chef jackets here. If you have ever worked in a restaurant’s kitchen, you may have noticed that it’s usually a fast-paced environment with many possible dangers and mishaps.
The F&B industry recognises such possible hazard, and that’s the reason why Chefs are meant to wear extra protective covering such as an apron. Check out Green Chef’s Aprons here. And any Chef who cooks in the kitchen without wearing chef uniform is portraying lack of professionalism and adequate training. Even if a chef uniform may not protect you entirely from harm within the kitchen, it will undoubtedly do an excellent job.
- Cleanliness: This is one of the symbols of the industry. Chefs are required to be neat always due to the sensitive nature of their jobs. Wearing a white uniform signifies cleanliness, and most Chefs wear it. But in a bid to serve customers tasty meals on time, you might spill food on yourself, get stained by a greasy oil or an ingredient. Your uniform will ensure you don’t take any stain home. This is where a double-breasted chef jacket is come into play that can help chefs quickly switch the stain layer with the fresh layer and continue with work. Green Chef’s Classic double-breasted chef Jacket.
- Professionalism: A chef’s uniform also has a way of portraying professionalism. It shows that the wearer has chosen that path as a career. However, this is further displayed in the way you cook your meals, serve and treat customers. Wearing a chef uniform is a way of telling the world that you aren’t just flipping burgers but you have chosen cooking as a profession and you are proud of it.
However, modern-day chefs are entirely different from the traditional chefs. Traditional chefs were hardly recognized, earned a meagre salary and worked almost like a steward. But today, due to technological advancement, the rising need to satisfy customers with delicious cuisines and quality service, and the need to establish a stable profession in the industry has led to better recognition of chefs in the F&B industry when compared to centuries ago. In many instances, notable awards have been given to deserving chefs during special events to earn them global recognition and encourage them to keep at what they do. Green Chef’s Sponsorship
Compared to what it used to be, chefs now have tons of opportunities to achieve significant global recognition and climb higher on the ladder of career success. A lot of people have realised that they are indeed the bedrock of cooking in any restaurant. They possess great culinary prowess which they use to manipulate food coupled with their virtuosity in the kitchen. The most significant thing that separates chefs from cooks is the way they use their culinary skills in kitchens and restaurants. This goes beyond pleasing guests around a table in a restaurant. Wearing a neat uniform adds to the beauty and creativity of their cooking skills. Indeed, a chef cannot stand out in the industry without the uniform.