It’s all about the humble chef’s uniform!
Chief wear has a long tradition dating back hundreds of years in the monasteries of medieval Europe. The original chefs did not wear a uniform, as we know it today. When the aristocracies were being overthrown, the artisans, including those we now call “chiefs”, sought refuge in the Catholic and Greek Orthodox monasteries run by monks. The kind monks accepted these artists, sculptors, and cooks and dressed them in the same robes they wore, but instead of the pious dark-colored robes worn by the monks, they gave the artisans undyed robes. In this way, cooks and other craftsmen looked like novice or apprentice monks and could easily be disguised as part of the traditional order. Over time, the robes were modified into a white apron and full coat. As fashion trends took over the Napoleonic-style wrap front, scarves and top hats became part of the chef’s outfit. Around 1700 the basic chef we see today was born.
Something happened in 1986 when a chef cooked something trendy in the kitchen and changed the world of chef clothing forever.
Gone are the days of old-fashioned fashion and ill-fitting kitchen attire with little or no choice. For chefs cooking in modern commercial kitchen settings, the presentation and appearance of the chef became increasingly important as a new trend toward open-style kitchens was born. The humble chef was now on display, like actors on a stage, costumes became important. Not long ago, the heads were hidden in the back and were rarely seen. This change in thinking has made chefs become television celebrities. Chef now they were proud to be chefs and they wanted to look like chefs. This meant that the humble chef’s uniform was now an important visual tool to promote as part of the overall restaurant design. Colors, cleanliness, and a modern, professional look have become not only an important factor, but also a necessary factor in modern commercial kitchen design.
The trend to revive the humble chef’s uniform began in Australia in 1986 when, as the story goes, a young chef bought an old Singer sewing machine and began making and selling some chef’s uniforms with a label on the outside. Since then, the world of uniform manufacturers has become divided and specialized, and today you can find specialized chef uniform companies all over the world. Chef uniform brands are found online, at hospitality equipment stores, or through door-to-door mobile vendors. Chefs generally aim to choose a uniform that makes them look and feel good. Brands vary in quality and price, so looking for a brand that has a good reputation makes a big difference in longevity. Restaurants sometimes purchase uniforms for their kitchen staff to ensure a uniformed appearance that reflects the image of the restaurant.
Next time you’re out for dinner take a look at what the artisans in the kitchen are wearing and tell your friends a little about the history of the humble chef’s uniform.