Chef's Whites have become a deep tradition in our industry and it's good to notice that the chefs who are at the very top of the industry still wear traditional chef's clothing.
Tradesmen of old used to display their trade proudly, but that seems to have fallen aside for most trades. But not chefs, a set of whites mark you out as someone who takes their work seriously.
Some may seen them as simple overalls but personally I see chef's traditional white clothing as a badge of honour in our kitchens.
Can you remember the feeling you felt that you got when you walked into the kitchen wearing your first set of whites?
My guess is you felt pretty good, and even if now you're feeling a little jaded with the industry. After all the long hours, the stress of getting food out on time, the heat and the late nights all take their toll - nobody said kitchen work was easy! But it can be fun can't it?
Chef whites, overalls? I don't think so there is no way I would swap my chef whites for a boiler suit? Food is one thing, but engine oil and chemicals? No thank you!
So a chef's lot may not be an easy one, but personally I think it's the best job in the world.
I've heard it said that chef trousers are traditionally checky to camoflauge minor stains.
I really don't know if that's true or not but what I do know is that they have become another well known badge of kitchen honour.
Chef Hats
Chef hats and caps are different colours but they are your most visible piece of clothing. True most chef's may not wear a traditional tall chef's hat anymore. But chef's skull caps are incedibly popular.
Chef hats and skull caps are important and it's so much more than health and safety. Whether your uniform requires you to wear a hat or skull cap or not they can be an ideal way to show off a little and stand out from the crowd.
Chef Scarfs
Why wear a chef scarf? If you're uniform or dress code requires you to wear tradtional white and maybe even a white chef's skull cap or hat and you're someone who like to demonstrate a bit of your character then a chef's scarf is perfect! We might know it's bandana but you can use it to add a little colour and style to your life.
Extra tips on keeping your whites, white.
The video is American but it does give some useful tips if you've ever struggled to get that whiter than white gleam to your whites.