The Work Uniform for Chefs: Ready to Face the Cooking Challenges
Many things have changed when it comes to working in a commercial kitchen. The equipment has improved, air conditioning has become mandatory and new ways of using (or not using) certain ingredients have emerged. However, one thing is for sure – the chef’s uniform has always been a symbol of the industry and a sign of professionalism.
Chefs dress to impress, but also to protect themselves. Looking clean and neat is important, but the workwear uniform provides more than just good looks. The chefs are clothed to feel safe while preparing and making the meals. They constantly use hazardous equipment, and the need for protection is real and justified.
The first and most noticeable piece of the chef’s uniform is the long, clean, neat white jacket. Besides offering an image of cleanliness, the jacket keeps the chef safe from hot spills, burns, any kind of splatters and every other kitchen “accident”. The genius behind the jacket is that it is double-breasted, meaning the chef can flap and easily switch to cleaner, and stainless front. This makes it possible for the person to cover up any cooking mishaps which are noticeable on the jacket.
A workwear uniform is not complete with only one piece of clothing. The jacket, the hat, the aprons, the pants and the shoes all together are what makes a chef’s uniform an ensemble. The hat keeps the hair away, the apron keeps the jacket clean, the pants keep high temperatures at bay and the shoes keep the wearer steady on their feet. High temperatures and slippery floors pose a risk for chefs on a daily basis, so, notably, the work uniform has more than one use.
Besides that, workwear uniforms create brand identity, rendering it recognisable, and in time, trustworthy. In light of that, a work uniform can create an overall positive image of a business. It is not an overwhelming ad campaign, but a subtle influence which has an impact on the customer’s unconscious opinion. Moreover, it makes your restaurant look professional and presentable and promotes authority, cleanliness and protection. Without making a huge effort, your employees will become “brand ambassadors” outside the workplace, which can strengthen their position as a useful part of your overall profile thus promoting a sense of team spirit and belonging.