Why is a chef’s uniform designed the way it is?

We have all seen the way chefs dress; from the tall hats to the white jackets. Chef’s whites are a familiar sight in kitchens around the globe. Over the years the design of the clothes has changed a little, and there are probably more variations today than ever. That being said, certain elements of a chef’s uniform remain constant.

You may be wondering why items of the uniform, such as chef jackets, are designed as they are. Is the design to do with style or is it more to do with the practicalities of wearing a uniform when undertaking such a demanding, and potentially dangerous, job. We’re going to take a look at the different items in a chef’s uniform and why they are designed as they are.

The toque of chef’s hat

The toque is the official name for the tall white hats that you see chefs wearing. In this case the design of the hat is not dictated by style or practicality; it’s to do with the seniority of the chef. This was not always the case though. Originally chef hats were grey and designed to replicate the headwear worn by priests from the Orthodox Church. It was in the 19th century that Chef Marie-Antoine Carême introduced the idea of a white chef’s hat with varying heights to indicate seniority; the higher the hat is the more senior the chef is.

The chef’s jacket

Of all the items in a chef’s uniform the jacket is probably the one which is designed mostly for practicality. The white colour of the jacket means that it’s easy to see when cleaning is required; although most chef jackets are reversible which helps to provide a totally clean surface without the need for washing. The white colour means that the jacket can also be bleached easily, and restored to pristine condition. Of course, white is also a great reflector of heat which is a real help if you are working in a really hot kitchen. A chef’s jacket also has a double thickness which is an important safety factor when there are hot liquids around.

The chef’s trousers

The pattern of a chef’s trousers has become somewhat more relaxed than it used to be; these days they are just as likely to be self-coloured as they are to be chequered. The design of the trousers is still a practical one though; they are baggy in order to make sure there is room for air to circulate in what can be a very hot environment.

The items of clothing we see chefs wearing today are based in designs that have been in existence for hundreds of years. The designs have been modified over the years, and become more modern. The basics of the designs are still there though and, as you can see, they are influenced more by safety, practicality and tradition than by style. That is not to say that they cannot be stylish too of course.