Chef Uniforms - Page 2

I used to be a religious UniformsUSA customer  when they were a teeny, tiny operation... they  got bigger and, predictably, service went south. Shame, really, because prices were good and quality matched.

Yeah, my lady hates the world, but there's nothing better than trying something in your hands, and on you. Everything fits different.

I have 2 black chef works vented jackets that i got for 24 bucks each. The difference between vented and non vented is huge if you have any sort of air flow.

The restaurant that i work at has a cheap jacket that all the chefs wear but they didn't have one in my XXL size so i got to choose my own.

Even though I'm not  a professional chef I suggest chef wear

http://www.chefwear.com/

I 'm sure other lines are doing womens....I use Chefwear which tend to be pricey, but have noticed the  ladies section in the catalog has grown alot the past couple years.

Having never worn chef clothing, is there anything "special" about chef pants?  I know the coats have pockets for thermometers and such, but do the pants have any special utility features?  Business casual pants aren't good for doing a lot of squats or getting on your knees to get to certain things.  Jeans just aren't comfortable in a hot kitchen.  Jackets look very uncomfortable (the word "jacket" in a hot kitchen is enough to make me squirm).  Are there any lightweight shirt options?

The "jacket" is actually for protection, checked pants to "hide" the mess, and clogs so you can get out of them when (not if) you drop hot water/oil!

I personally detest any polyester, shirts, pants, jackets, socks, whatever, anything HOT melts it right to your skin!

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeteMcCracken 

The "jacket" is actually for protection, checked pants to "hide" the mess, and clogs so you can get out of them when (not if) you drop hot water/oil!

 

I personally detest any polyester, shirts, pants, jackets, socks, whatever, anything HOT melts it right to your skin!

listen to advice above

Thanks Pete

I was just going to say that!.....

Thanks.  What exactly are "clogs"?  I assumed ankle boots would be good (ankle support) and good resistance to most everything.  When I think clogs, I think of slip-in sandals, which I doubt is what y'all are referring to.

As a side note, I absolutely wish this thread would be in a non-chef's area.  I feel dirty posting in here, though I have worked in a restaurant kitchen, I don't know that I deserve to post in a "professional chefs" forum. 
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by gypsy2727 
listen to advice above

 

Thanks Pete

 

I was just going to say that!.....

These, http://www.birkenstockexpress.com/Products/style.cfm/collection.Footprints/style.Alton/id.310820101347-075838/ , are what I prefer...
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by gobblygook 

Thanks.  What exactly are "clogs"?  ...

See above again ...great advice

thank-you Pete for the best Clog advice  ( been using them for years ...my feet have never been better)

Gypsy

i were chef were sported in my pic and my pants and hat chef 24/7  there nice and light  fits nice  i like it   i have to buy cheaper thoe cuz im clumsey and spill stuff on it alot lol 

is there a meaing for like if ur jaket is black not white  does it mean somthing  or no just wondering

 I don't care what brand or style. as long as its 98% cotton.

Pete is correct about the Jacket as protection. But it also protects in this way...it keeps the heat of a hot grill/broiler/oven etc. away from the skin. Work a hot grill station for a 3-4 hour rush in a thin sleeveless t-shirt and see what it does to your arms/chest/belly/back etc.  You'll be back in a jacket and happy. For thousands of years the Nomadic tribes of the deserts have wrapped themselves in yards upon yards upon yards of white cloth to keep the 100+ degree heat away from the body. You think they just might be on to something? Dan :)
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by gobblygook 

Having never worn chef clothing, is there anything "special" about chef pants?  I know the coats have pockets for thermometers and such, but do the pants have any special utility features?  Business casual pants aren't good for doing a lot of squats or getting on your knees to get to certain things.  Jeans just aren't comfortable in a hot kitchen.  Jackets look very uncomfortable (the word "jacket" in a hot kitchen is enough to make me squirm).  Are there any lightweight shirt options?

Bragard: Expensive uniforms.

Chefwear: I wear Chefwear at work, but do not like them. Their prints fade rapidly, because the fabric is printed[printed on the top-surface, vis-a-vis yarn-dyed, which each, individual thread is dyed. Invert, or turn the fabric inside-out, and notice the difference in color.], not yarn-dyed, and their products are expensive, but if you like designer chef uniforms, then, they are quite popular. Their chef coats seem to be a bit smaller than the size indication. I would suggest wearing a size larger than you would normally wear. They do not seem to last longer than any other brand. I have their pants rip the entire length of the inseam. Imported.

Chefworks: Multi-national company, based in South Africa. I have worn them at work. They are imported, designer chef uniforms, and are also quite expensive. The seem to wear out as any other brand. It is a popular brand. Imported.

Chef Revival: Designer chef apparel, expensive.

Uncommon Threads: Made in China. Only sold through distributors, e.g., Chef Uniforms, which has a Women's Section.

Chefthreads: Affordable, State-of-the-Art Manufacturing, Executive Chef Coats. Reseller of Uncommon Threads. Uniform Market

Culinary Classics: Expensive designer chef uniforms, custom-made, semi-custom-made, recently begun using 100% spun polyester. Made in USA.

Crooked Brook: Expensive, custom-made chef uniforms. Too expensive for my limited budget. Made in USA.

Happy Chef Uniforms: Moderately-priced, popular, has a Women's Section, sells ACF apparel, ships to Canada.

Best Buy Uniforms: Large selection of uniforms.

Uniform Warehouse: Many Clearance items.

I own Univogue uniforms, but only because I was mandated to buy them for work purposes.

I also own KNG uniforms. They are the least expensive uniforms available, but they are Imported, 100% spun-polyester, and their chef coats seem to be a bit warmer, and some of the melamine/plastic buttons have fallen off. Their products are yarn-dyed, not printed, so that they do not fade as quickly as materials which are merely printed. Buy directly from the manufacturer.

Slip-Resistant Restaurant Shoes:

Kingston-McKnight Shoes

Best coat I've ever worn, and the only ones I will wear come from Chef's Hat Inc. http://www.chefs-hat.com/ 

Their Egyptian Cotton jackets are amazing.

I'm a chefworks guy, myself. Wouldn't wear chefwear if you gave it to me- just doesn't fit right. Chefworks has about everything you need- pants/jackets/aprons, they fit well(at least it does for me), great quality, and reasonable prices. I'm not terribly picky, though.

real chefs wear bragard brand egyptian cotton coats.  i would def suggest one for your first job.  i know, when i'm not wearing my egyptian cotton chef coat, i can't cook worth a damn.  i even wear it to the supermarket sometimes.  when i get my james beard award (fingers crossed- next year) and my michelin stars and new york times four star review, i'll know it was the coat not the cook.  keep that in mind when looking for a uniform.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lentil 

Thanks, Oz! I like the raspberry and asparagus.

I noticed the pants were all men's. Do any of you find pants for women or do you just wear the men's? If I had any time to sew, I'd make my own.

Lentil, I wear the mens pants.  The womens kitchen pants that I can get from our uniform supplier suck.. they're little short of pj pants and the only thing they have going for them is that they're very lightweight so I do wear them in the summer, while griping about how lousy they are.    The premium uniforms pants are unisex and I love the cut of them (not to date myself here but they remind me of harem pants from the 80s) and I have a few pairs of those.  I also have one pair of the mens pants from our supplier and while they are ok, they have a button fly and I'm not sued to breezes in the nether regions unless I am wearing a skirt!  LOL. 

I wish I had more time to sew too as I would make my own as well.  I wonder if scrub pants would be any more comfortable?

Our school uses http://www.chefworks.com/

Quote:

Originally Posted by leeniek 

 I wonder if scrub pants would be any more comfortable?

Chefwear has made scrub pants-type chef pants for years. I had a cook that tried them out and they started falling apart within weeks. No idea if that's a chefwear problem or a problem with the material.

HAPPY CHEF is good company to deal with many qualities and prices and they do custom. Inmost states workmans comp requires long sleeve chefs coats behind line, not in pantry or Garde' Manger area

gobblygook:

Chef pants are usually the baggy sweatpants-style pants for mobility and ventilation. Some have cargo-style pockets, and vented-mesh inserts.

Chefworks Cool Vent

Chefthreads Cook Shirts

Greg:

I wear Chefwear uniforms at work. I have seen several cooks with torn inseams, some of which, were the entire length of the leg, from the cuff, to the crotch! Their pants do not seem to last very long. I have had mine for several months, and it has already faded, and shows signs of wear. Those Chefwear pants are made of 100% Cotton.

I recently ordered Chef Threads Pants. They're actually Uncommon Threads, Made in China, and they claim to be more durable than their competitors' pants. The gentleman, whom I talked with, told me, that these pants were their most comfortable pants, and that the elastic band was so durable, that the draw-cord was not even necessary, and that the pants would wear out, long before the elastic band would lose its elasticity.

KNG claims that their pants lasts twice as long as their competitors' pants. I have worn their pants, but have not worn them long-term, so that I cannot comment on their durability yet.

KM Shoes

My criteria for buying anything is:

1. Durability: How strong is it?

2. Reliability: How dependable is it?

3. Affordability: Can I afford it?

4. Origin of Manufacture: I prefer to buy Made in USA, whenever possible.

I am a professional chef for 16 years now and just started a new line of very functional and comfortable chef clothes. Happy hunting!