The head chef spends a large part of their working time in the kitchen, preparing various delicious and aromatic dishes. In different establishments and restaurants, they are always dressed in a special work uniform and a suitable hat, giving them the appearance we are accustomed to seeing today. But why is the chef's clothing always white, and what is its history? What does it consist of, and is the outfit necessarily white? What types can the online store Bultex99 offer?

What is the history of chef clothing

The work uniform of the kitchen cook has undergone various changes, mainly driven by practical considerations. The tunic is double-breasted and can be easily buttoned from the other side in case the garment gets suddenly stained with sauces or other substances.

In many cases, the pants are also part of the chef's clothing, and recently it has become common for them to be black and white with small white stripes. On such a background, stains and dirt are almost unnoticeable. White versions are also common, where it is assumed that the likelihood of stains or dirt while working on the counter is low.

Why are uniforms most often white

The snow-white double-breasted tunic, pants, and apron shine with exceptional whiteness and perfect cleanliness. Along with the white cloth and the tall hat on the chef's head, this causes great puzzlement in some people. The chef is in constant contact with sauces, food, and other products, and even the smallest stain on the clothing will be immediately visible.

The chef's work outfit became white back in the 19th century, thanks to Marie-Antoine Carême. He was a Frenchman from a family of chefs. His delicious creations graced the table of Emperor Napoleon and his wife Josephine. Thanks to Carême's inclination toward various innovations, he changed not only cooking but also the appearance of kitchen staff. According to his concept of hospitality and the absence of any dirt in the kitchen, the symbol of cleanliness both of the place and the food is wearing white clothing.

Our visual perception of chefs in the kitchen is precisely with the white work uniform, which has now become traditional in culinary arts. People in it look very neat and recognizable, and the outfit has become classic. Such a uniform is often found in modern restaurants and home kitchens as well.

What it includes

The white work clothing of the chef has proven to be highly positively perceived by others and serves its purpose – to be a symbol of cleanliness and excellent hygiene in the kitchen. Its other main purpose is to provide comfort and protect the employee from burns. It mainly consists of:

• tunic, jacket, or coat – an upper outer garment that protects the clothes underneath. As mentioned, it must have two rows of buttons. In case of sudden staining with sauce spots, you can re-button the two rows so that the soiled part is on the inside, and when serving the finished dish to guests, you will have a good appearance. In public catering establishments and when demonstrating foreign national cuisine, it is also possible to wear a special kimono, especially in oriental restaurants;
• pants – they are the lower part of the work clothing. There are also options for women's skirts, but women often prefer wearing pants due to the increased comfort they provide. They are usually moderately wide-legged, which does not hinder movement in any way;
• apron – part of the chef's work clothing and additional protection against stains during cooking. Its material repels grease and is easy to clean. Its purpose is also to protect the skin and body from hot oil splashes, with the main protection at the front where the likelihood of stains is much higher. It is easy and quick to put on and take off, allowing for changing or removal when serving finished dishes to guests;
• head hat – its main purpose is to fully or partially cover the hair and prevent hair from falling into the dishes. Additionally, it helps distinguish workers of different ranks in the kitchen. The assistant chef wears a cylindrical hat or beret, while regular staff wear bandanas or caps;
• cloth – mainly used for holding hot trays taken out of the oven, as well as wiping sweat from the forehead. This is an additional accessory that is accepted as part of the chef's work clothing.

Is white color mandatory

Although white is perceived as the classic color when it comes to the chef's work clothing, today many restaurants and public catering establishments prefer other colors. In some places, there is even a strict dress code for culinary masters in the kitchen. According to the rules, only black and white pants are worn. In other cases, brighter and colorful prints are chosen. Sometimes wide pants or jeans are used for the lower half. Less common are even more informal options, such as denim or polyester shirts and jeans.

What models can be found at Bultex99.com

The product range on the site offers a variety of sizes and colors of high-quality chef work clothing. As a manufacturer and owner of a chain of warehouses and stores in the country, we have the opportunity to directly control the quality of the products made and to take care of their proper storage and maintenance until they reach the customer. This guarantees the best appearance of the products and an excellent price-quality ratio.

Our customers benefit from free consultation both when choosing the desired work clothes and when ordering, returning, or exchanging them. We offer favorable conditions and a wide variety of goods, which our customers appreciate, and many of them remain loyal to us, and we to them.