Fashion or Function: Why Do Chefs Wear What They Wear?
Professional food preparation service is steeped in tradition; its history and the chefs who made history are fascinating! For example, why do chefs and professional cooks all wear what is essentially the same outfit? A chef’s “uniform” consists of a double-breasted jacket, black-and-white pants, and a toque.
The Tradition of the Toque
Not many of us know what a “toque” is! In the 16th century, too much “creativity” was considered sinful, so artisans had to hide their works, and in some cases, even had to hide themselves. The safest place to seek sanctuary was a church or monastery, and at that time, priests wore tall, black hats. The cooks-in-hiding imitated the monks’ hats by creating their own hat, the toque.
Sometimes, fact is not quite as fun as fiction. No one knows if this is true, but it was said that King Henry VIII found a hair in his soup and the royal chef lost his head. The cook’s replacement donned a hat to keep his hairs – and his head – in place, and the tradition of cooks wearing hats was born.
In the 1800s, chef Marie-Antoine Carême redesigned chef’s uniforms. According to Cheftalk.com, Carême thought the hats should be different sizes to separate cooks from the chefs.
The chefs wore the tall hats and the younger cooks wore shorter hats, more like a cap. Carême himself supposedly wore a hat that was 18 inches tall! The folded pleats of a toque, which later became an established characteristic of the chef's hat, were first said to have been added to indicate the more than 100 ways in which a chef can cook an egg.
Chef Jackets, Pants & Neckerchiefs Were Originally Not About Fashion
The stove’s heat can burn anyone who gets too close, and splattering oils and liquids are a safety issue for food service personnel. That’s why the double-breasted jacket is a valuable tradition; it’s made of heavy cotton that insulates its wearer and reduces the risk of burns while cooking. The jacket’s buttons are made of knotted cloth that hold up better through frequent washing and cleaning. There are two rows of buttons, so the chef can cook with the jacket buttoned on the second row, then, if meeting clients or customers, re-button to the first row to hide stains from cooking. Many chefs jackets are also reversible.
Traditionally, chefs wear black-and-white patterned pants, which were believed to hide stains more effectively than solid colors. Today’s chefs’ pants are often black. Culinary blogger Jack Lanceon says there are several chef’s pants styles worn today. Some of these and their designs include:
- Baggy – roomy, comfortable, durable
- Cargo – sturdy, breathable, comfortable
- Performance – easy mobility, athletic cut
- Shorts – casual short, roomy and flattering
- Tailored – modern, elegant, sophisticated
- Traditional – slim fit from hip to thigh, straight leg cut, soft, breathable
- Ultimate – tailored, comfortable, stylish
- Utility – harder working than baggy, with 6 pockets
- Women’s Cut – built to complement the female chef, extra cool feeling
The dashing neckerchief is another example of form meeting function: Neckerchiefs are now an attractive fashion statement, but they were originally used to absorb perspiration from the kitchen’s extreme heat. In the era of air conditioning, the neckerchief has become more about the tradition than the need.
Your Recipe for Professional Success
Do you want to upgrade your foodie status from amateur to gourmet? If so, you can turn your passion for food into a profession. Knowing which food choices will make an appetizing pairing is a learned skill; it’s decision-making that chefs practice every day.
Here’s some food for thought: In just 15 months, you could have your Associate of Applied Science degree in Culinary Arts.
As a professional chef, you can travel internationally or start your own hometown bistro with an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Culinary Arts. Your ECPI University career counselor can encourage you to explore every avenue of financial support; there are scholarships, grants and student loans that may help you make your dream job a reality.
When you request more information and mix ECPI University’s Culinary Arts program into your life, you’ve made a powerful decision. In fact, it could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!
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