Chefsware - A Checkered History
When we imagine chefs clothing we think of a gleaming white suit, the favoured choice of many professionals, however in the 1980s the uniform began to evolve to meet the needs of modern chef’s....
The traditional chef whites that are worn today can be dated back over 400 years, but why do chefs wear white? In the 1800s chef Marie-Antoine Carême altered the original colour from grey to white as he thought white promoted cleanliness and hygiene.
A traditional double breasted chefs jacket was designed to have many benefits, for example white protects against heat, reflecting the intense temperatures that are reached in a commercial kitchen. The double breasted feature also covers stains as it can be fastened on the other side to hide any spillages - a chefs uniform goes through a lot of washes so they have been designed with knotted cloth buttons which are ideal for surviving intense washes.
The uniform changes depending on how qualified a chef is, for instance a chefs hat (or toque) traditionally goes up in size the more qualified a chef becomes. It has also been suggested that the 100 pleats in a chefs hat represent the 100 ways a professional chef knows how to cook an egg.
Check trousers are also an important part of a chefs uniform and are designed camouflage minor stains easily. Originally head chefs wore black pants however as the uniform has evolved, chefs are beginning to make their own mark on the clothes they wear.
Despite the changes it has undergone a chefs uniform is still expected to meet high standards, remaining practical and holding some form of tradition. There are many variations on a chefs uniform, different styles of hats such as beanies and caps, coloured jackets with different length sleeves and a range of trouser options.
If your business favours traditional chef whites and you struggle to keep them clean, we’ve found a useful article from Tibard, one of our clothing suppliers, explaining how to keep your chef whites clean.
We stock a range of chefsware in different colours and sizes. From jackets to aprons, we have everything that a professional could need. We also stock a range of disposable wear such as gloves and aprons that would help to improve hygiene standards in a commercial kitchen, and are ideal for cleaning staff.
Not forgetting home cooks, we also have a range of pretty and practical domestic aprons that are ideal for home use, perfect for a present or as a treat to yourself. Why not come to see us and try your chef uniforms on to make sure you get the perfect fit?
If you would like some more information on our chefwear do not hesitate to contact us. Call us on 0845 600 1722 we’ll be happy to help.