Understanding a Chef’s Outfit

Chefs are often known for their attire especially their “funny hats”.  In truth, a chef’s outfit is quite notable and distinctive.  They have worn it for years, and their outfits have always been associated with them.  Typical attire includes a toque (chef’s hat), a double-breasted jacket and a checkered pair of pants.  It is this combination that has made them easily recognizable over the years.  Curiously, however, the origins of this outfit have never been really established.

The Chef’s Outfit

Perhaps, you have never considered this but there are practical reasons why a chef’s attire is the way it is.  For instance, the double-breasted jacket has its practical purpose.  It is usually made of thick cotton which is designed to protect the chef from heat.  It is double-breasted, so that chefs can easily reverse them in case of stains.  The checkered pants also serve the same purpose.  The pattern helps hide stains and splashes.  Of course, there are many chefs who prefer to wear aprons to cover them waist down.

With all the practical reasons for the shirt and pants, the toque is completely another matter.  There have been many theories about the tall hat.  Some people believe that this hat has been around since the 16^th century.  At that time, fats would build up on the ceiling, and the hats protect the chefs from the drips.  There are some people who believe that these hats are meant to conceal chefs from persecutors.  At that time, chefs were considered artisans; and like other free thinkers, they were persecuted.  These hats were meant to deceive the persecutors into thinking that the chefs were priests.

A Chef’s Outfit – What Does It Tells You?

Today, a chef’s attire is one way to distinguish kitchen ranks and statuses.  The height and the pleats of the toque identify the rank of a chef in the kitchen.  The higher the height, the higher is a chef’s rank.  The pleats represent the number of ways a chef is able to prepare an egg dish.  This may sound impossible for some people, but a really good chef can prepare at least 100 egg dishes.  That’s actually the highest number of pleats a chef can have on his hat.  It is very important that ranks be shown in the kitchen.  With several chefs working in the kitchen – and everyone wearing identical outfits – the hat tells the difference.  With orders coming in quickly, being able to identify the head chef quickly makes a lot of sense.