what do you wear in the kitchen?

[miles]

I was discussing this with a friend a couple evenings ago. What do you wear in the kitchen at work? Do you wear traditional chef's garb or do you work in a more casual kitchen where the crew wears T-shirts? What about your footwear?

[Arturo]

chef coat, skull cap, dansko clogs. no cravat.

I prefer to be more formal. To me it says something (to your guests and staff)about your intentions about being professional about respecting my profession.

can you do it other ways, of course. Many people don't wear suits to work anymore either...

Arturo

[DwarvenChef]

Traditional coat, Chef Wear cargo pants "black", beret type hat, steel toe slip on boots.

I like the formal aproach as well. I'm partial to boots as nothing gets through that I need to get them off fast. Seen to many issues with low cut shoes. Some days I wear my Issue leg boots from `88, still going strong.

[C-Dawg]

i've recently changed jobs and now i'm back in a coat. i don't mind it, as i don't have to get much of my own clothes too dirty. they provide pants, too, but i prefer to wear my own. i'm in red wing steel toe high top boots. they're grrrrreat!

though, there's not much danger at this new place i'm at, so i might get a more comfortable pair of kitchen shoes. i can't stand clogs, so we'll see.

[Arturo]

Traditional coat, Chef Wear cargo pants "black", beret type hat, steel toe slip on boots.

I like the formal aproach as well. I'm partial to boots as nothing gets through that I need to get them off fast. Seen to many issues with low cut shoes. Some days I wear my Issue leg boots from `88, still going strong.

I think shoes are such a personal thing with cooks. I could never wear a boot in the kitchen, too heavy for me. The minute I switched to clogs I stopped having back problems. That was key for me.

[miles]

Although I'm not working in a kitchen currently, I've worked in both formal and informal kitchens. I prefer traditional garb of chef's coat, Dickies trousers, and apron. I like to wear cool-max wicking tshirts under the coat, as it helps keep me a bit cooler. For footwear, I like my eight hole DM's, but have also tried Sanita clogs. I really like the lightness of the clogs and the extra arch support, but I don't know if they'd ever become my favorite. I have very weak ankles from multiple ankle injuries sustained during my soccer career. I've found that the clogs can tend to be a bit unstable, which isn't always desirable.

[DwarvenChef]

I don't have trouble with my back, knees on the other hand... ya get hit by at least 10 cars, join the light infantry and march yourself to sleep... I'm used to knee pain now. I do tend to get stuck in a crouch when doing orders

[miles]

Yes, but do you signal the FOH an order is up by yelling "hoohah!" ???

[blwchef]

low clogs, chefware black ultimate pants, chef coat and scull cap. I hate hats. I miss my old Docs from the late 80s'. THe lasted me 13 years and 7 kitchens. The new ones just suck.

[DwarvenChef]

Yes, but do you signal the FOH an order is up by yelling "hoohah!" ???

That still comes out now and again, it gets alot of stares one chef used to get insulted when I said it. "What did you say to me?" (oh boy)...

Some jargon pops up from now where now and again...