These #$%^* Pants!!!

akat · Sep 21, 2015

nice one pan'

chef-nicholas · Sep 22, 2015

http://www.officesupersavers.com item # CWXWBAW000L

These are the pants I wear and they work great. Only Downfall is that it Only has 3 pockets, all in all it feels just like PJ pants
I also have the same problem with most non-elastic pants

brian barker · Sep 24, 2015

I would say just don't wear chefs pants. You will not find a single person in a real fine dining professional kitchen wearing those goofy things. I recently staged in a few restaurants that don't even allow them (crocs either) Find some fitted black slacks.

stevenvhayden · Sep 24, 2015

Brian Barker said:
I would say just don't wear chefs pants. You will not find a single person in a real fine dining professional kitchen wearing those goofy things. I recently staged in a few restaurants that don't even allow them (crocs either) Find some fitted black slacks.

Curious where you cook; in the city I cook in you will see them quite a bit in any professional fine dining restaurant and almost all of these "fine dining" establishments are open kitchen as per the style in San Francisco. Most people go with black chef pants that are simple; some are all required to wear the checkered pants. case and point when I first moved to this city Farallon an established open kitchen restaurant within the heart of the city will make you wear their white coat and checkered pants.

brian barker · Sep 24, 2015

stevenvhayden said:
Curious where you cook; in the city I cook in you will see them quite a bit in any professional fine dining restaurant and almost all of these "fine dining" establishments are open kitchen as per the style in San Francisco. Most people go with black chef pants that are simple; some are all required to wear the checkered pants. case and point when I first moved to this city Farallon an established open kitchen restaurant within the heart of the city will make you wear their white coat and checkered pants.

Hey Steven! I work at Intro in Chicago ( used to be L2o), everyone wears fitted black slacks. The restaurant I am referring to specifically that does not allow those baggy chef pants is called Grace a 3 michelin star restaurant in Chicago. They also do not allow crocs or birkenstocks. After Grace I staged at 2 other Michelin restaurants (Black Bird and Boka) at both places I saw no one wearing "chef pants". Chicago thing maybe? Either the irritate the fuck out of me, I prefer fitted pants. To me they look a bit more professional.

stevenvhayden · Sep 24, 2015

I agree with fitted pants though they do have fitted chef pants also dont like a lot of pockets. I would be mad If I saw any of the guys I worked with putting their hands in their pockets while cooking. Maybe yea a Chicago thing? I dont know but I wouldnt be so quick to generalize. I do also agree with crocs... I do not see the appeal in them.

brian barker · Sep 24, 2015

stevenvhayden said:
I agree with fitted pants though they do have fitted chef pants also dont like a lot of pockets. I would be mad If I saw any of the guys I worked with putting their hands in their pockets while cooking. Maybe yea a Chicago thing? I dont know but I wouldnt be so quick to generalize. I do also agree with crocs... I do not see the appeal in them.

I feel like the higher the level of food you get into the more professionalism becomes a concern in the kitchen, including dress code. For example I've never seen a picture of Thomas Keller, Rene Redzepi, Grant Achataz, Ferran Adria, or Andoni Luis Aduriz wearing a pair of checkered chef pants, or chef pants at all. In some ways playing mind games in the kitchen goes a long way. A lot of times when you dress more professional you act more professional. Take Alinea for example, their kitchen is lined with carpet. Carpet in the kitchen forces to work cleaner, no wiping food debris on to the ground. But I dunno, to each his own. I always loved my crocs but had to put them away for a pair of clarks after finding out they were not allowed at Grace. What does a chef need in his pockets anyways? Other than maybe a notebook for quick access.

stevenvhayden · Sep 24, 2015

Brian Barker said:
I feel like the higher the level of food you get into the more professionalism becomes a concern in the kitchen, including dress code. For example I've never seen a picture of Thomas Keller, Rene Redzepi, Grant Achataz, Ferran Adria, or Andoni Luis Aduriz wearing a pair of checkered chef pants, or chef pants at all. In some ways playing mind games in the kitchen goes a long way. A lot of times when you dress more professional you act more professional. Take Alinea for example, their kitchen is lined with carpet. Carpet in the kitchen forces to work cleaner, no wiping food debris on to the ground. But I dunno, to each his own. I always loved my crocs but had to put them away for a pair of clarks after finding out they were not allowed at Grace. What does a chef need in his pockets anyways? Other than maybe a notebook for quick access.

I agree, but will state that chef pants arent all checkered and can be quite professional lol. again I think this comes with just different experiences.. and off topic now. I will simple state people wearing dickies are champs because I would die of dehydration standing over my grill in those thick pants.

mannlicher · Sep 25, 2015

for those elastic waist pants, a large binder clip works. Fold over the waist material, attach the binder clip. The larger size clip works best.

sanny86 · Sep 26, 2015

Hi guys. As a first post it just had to be here. As a line chef I had my struggles with chef pants, but my struggle was kinda complicated...
You see, my body is athlete built with bulked legs and a narrow waist and when I was buying pants I had a problem to fit both ends, because, if they fit the waist they were like yoga pants on my legs, if they fit the legs, I could fit my wife in at the waist

So, then about a month ago I was at the local construction shop and I saw the construction worker pants. Narrow in waist, baggy at legs, great, light and not so hard to wear material, black coloured with pockets on the sides. Bought like 10 pieces and am totaly happy with them.

kingfarvito · Sep 27, 2015

Brian Barker said:
Hey Steven! I work at Intro in Chicago ( used to be L2o), everyone wears fitted black slacks. The restaurant I am referring to specifically that does not allow those baggy chef pants is called Grace a 3 michelin star restaurant in Chicago. They also do not allow crocs or birkenstocks. After Grace I staged at 2 other Michelin restaurants (Black Bird and Boka) at both places I saw no one wearing "chef pants". Chicago thing maybe? Either the irritate the fuck out of me, I prefer fitted pants. To me they look a bit more professional.

Assuming it's a Chicago thing. In NYC most people wear chef pants. I'm curious as to why the ban on birkies. Those are what I wear and I find them professional.

hotinside · Sep 28, 2015

Brian Barker said:
I feel like the higher the level of food you get into the more professionalism becomes a concern in the kitchen, including dress code. For example I've never seen a picture of Thomas Keller, Rene Redzepi, Grant Achataz, Ferran Adria, or Andoni Luis Aduriz wearing a pair of checkered chef pants, or chef pants at all. In some ways playing mind games in the kitchen goes a long way. A lot of times when you dress more professional you act more professional. Take Alinea for example, their kitchen is lined with carpet. Carpet in the kitchen forces to work cleaner, no wiping food debris on to the ground. But I dunno, to each his own. I always loved my crocs but had to put them away for a pair of clarks after finding out they were not allowed at Grace. What does a chef need in his pockets anyways? Other than maybe a notebook for quick access.

Agree with the "level of food" thing. I've staged at, and currently work for, Michelin-starred restaurants in Chicago, and have worked many other places that haven't been as professional. I cant remember the last time i've seen anyone wear checkered pants in any of the more professional places. Definitely have seen a mixture of clogs and tennis-shoe-like nonslips at these places. And what do you need to keep in your pockets? Why, a notebook, maybe an offset spatula on your sleeve, tweezers in coat, sharpie and backup sharpie, wine key, lighter

akat · Sep 28, 2015

Whats wrong with skirts ?

chefwriter · Sep 28, 2015

Can one of you provide recommendations for fitted black pants, i.e. brands, sources? Do you just buy off the rack at the department store or are there chef specific sources?

I prefer the look of fitted pants but the loose chef pants provide ample room to bend and stretch. Do fitted pants do that as well?

ed buchanan · Sep 28, 2015

Try The Happy Chef.com

lawrence · Oct 5, 2015

ED BUCHANAN said:
Try The Happy Chef.com

I tried it, it doesn't seem like a real website. It was one of those scammy ad websites that buy up expired domains.

Have I typed it in wrong?

chefwriter · Oct 5, 2015

The link should be www.happychefuniforms.com

the company and website are still in business.

lawrence · Oct 5, 2015

chefwriter said:
The link should be www.happychefuniforms.com

the company and website are still in business.

Thanks for that.

I would have never have guessed the "uniform" bit.

I will have a look, I have mysteriously outgrown some of my whites.

Oh! My aprons still fit.

theculinarykid · Oct 12, 2015

Thanks everybody for your help! Greatly appreciated!

leeniek · Oct 13, 2015

I would love to be able to wear a skirt at work but I doubt it would conform to SQF standards...

So for falling down pants the best thing I have found is to get one size smaller than what you need to get. In the beginning your waistband will be a little snug but with time the elastic will wear and you will have comfy pants.

These #$%^* Pants!!!

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