One of the most ubiquitous designs in the food
industry is the chef jacket--the crisp, white, double-breasted uniform
immediately identifies an individual's profession and position within the
kitchen. But how did the chef
jacket become the staple of kitchen wardrobe? And what do all the parts mean?
Today we’ll take a look at this critical part of the kitchen
uniform and learn more.
While the chef jacket as we know it didn’t
become popular until 1878, there were examples of the style found much earlier.
In 1822 a French artist named Marie-Antoine Careme debuted a famous sketch that
depicted two chefs wearing the coat, chef’s hat, an apron, and the trousers
that have become the formal attire of
chefs today. The sketch was titled
“Le Maitre d’Hotel Francais,” and while excessively formal, is still an
excellent example of chef wear to this day.
If you’ve ever noticed that many chefs will
have a towel tucked into their waistband you might be interested to know that
it’s for very practical reasons. A towel is a highly functional tool in a busy
kitchen. Not only can it be used to keep things clean and tidy, but it can be
used to help grab cooking utensils, pots, and bowls to prevent burns.
White is a universal symbol of cleanliness and
purity--so a white coat can help viewers to trust that their food is prepared
in proper conditions. It also can help to establish a sense of power and
influence with both customers and kitchen help. While white can easily show
stains, it’s also easier to bleach and clean.
The double-breasted nature of chefs coats
serves two purposes. On the one hand, it looks very professional and regal,
emphasizing the artistry of the chef wearing it. On the other, the double layer
of fabric can help keep the wearer safe from steam, kitchen hazards, and
splashing liquids. You may also notice that there are no buttons on a chef
jacket, they rely on knotted cloth instead, this is so that there are no pieces
of metal or plastic from buttons that could be popped off and into the food.
Chesapeake
Uniform
has been providing uniform rental
services for over 30 years to the following areas:
· Maryland
· Delaware
· Washington DC
· Southern Pennsylvania
· Northern Virginia
We pride ourselves on being able to offer our
customers the most competitive prices thanks to our national affiliation with
ApparelMaster®.
Want to get started with our services? Do you
have questions about our services? Contact us today by calling 410-558-3360 or
visit the
contact
us page
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