[kuan]

I hate chef formal dress. This is where chefs wear a chefcoat over a shirt and tie. Compare this to a regular suit and tie and chef formal looks downright ratty. The chefcoat always wrinkles, especially in the back, the sleeves are never the right length, the collar never sits right, and the buttons are never really nice and tight.

I say junk this method of dressing and adopt something more respectable.

Kuan

 

[jim berman]

What's the ocassion? When I lecture in class, I wear a 'golf' shirt (2-button, pullover). When there is a formal or semi-formal work-realted event, I wear a shirt and tie like everybody else. I have seen a one or 2 guys sporting the tie 'n chef coat, but it never quite looked right.

 

[ironchefatl]

Yeah I agree those guys that show up on Iron Chef (only experience I can relate too) with a tie under thier jacket. What is that man look serious for cooking, and look serious for formal. Both at the same time doesnt work.

 

[cape chef]

Actually,

We have someone to thank for this concept in the states.
Of course I can't spell his last name but Chef Louis "S" from Chicago lobbied in the US goverment in the early 80s to have the statice of "chef" offically raised to professinal.

This land mark occassion (in my eyes anyway) was the begining of many chefs showing they where white collor pro's while still wearing there whites.

I am sure someone can help me with the chefs last name.Very eastern Europe name and he donated his entire culiary library to Johnson and Wales.

 

[kuan]

Jim, the occasions are like chef dinners, chef award dinners, chef formal meetings, etc.

Do you mean Louis Szathmary with his handlebar mustache CC?

Someone needs to come up with a nice lined jacket.

Kuan

 

[pete]

Depending on the situation I either do a nice starched white uniform or a tie and jacket. I never combine the two as personally I can't stand the look, but that is only my opinion.

 

[jim berman]

Kuan,
I think for chef dinners, etc. a jacket and tie is suitable. Really, when any other uniformed professional has an event, they would generally attend in formal attire. CC, I also understand that elevating the rank to being recognized as professional is extremely important. I am just not sure if it is a 'formal enough' look. Like, when a member of the military would attend a wedding or funeral, their formal attire is recognized and appropriate. I consider other artisans professionals (wood workers, for instance) but the general expectation is they attend a formal affair in jacket & tie. Is the same true for a chef? I am not disagreeing with you, just asking.

 

[kokopuffs]

Wouldn't it depend if the chef were managing as opposed to being directly involved with preparation?

 

[ironchefatl]

Maybe a nice silk houndstooth vest and it would be appropriate for weddings and such??

 

[chiffonade]

Ugh! Sounds like a fashion disaster to me. Is this done when a chef is teaching? Attending some kind of function where it is imperative that he (tie reference) be known as a chef? I think it's ridiculous that a chef would be denied simply wearing a suit and tie for a formal occasion. I've never seen anyone dressed this way but it sounds like it would even look ridiculous.

In a formal setting where a chef would not be handling food - like a lecture - it should be perfectly acceptable for a chef to wear:

* A sparkling clean (never used) well fitted chef coat - reserved for this purpose. I mean one that might cost a fortune - French knots, the whole nine yards. It could be white or black.

* Sparkling clean chef pants - I'd favor black or chalk stripe.

* Sparkling clean, better-quality chef clogs (like those that are available from Chefwear or at uniform shops).

* A mile high tocque.

For crying out loud, which genius thought a shirt and tie looked good under a chef coat? Do they make doctors wear a shirt and tie under scrubs for a formal occasion? Or to teach? Sheesh.