White clothing, black gloves and tattoos have almost become part of the chef's uniform, but it wasn't always that way. Not only were chefs less recognizable, but most were not even known to the general public, N1 television reported.
The names of the restaurants were well known, but it didn't matter who cooked in them as long as the food was delicious and the guests paid the bills.
The world changed with celebrity chefs , and competitions like MasterChef elevated them to stardom. Looking to the not-so-distant past, the difference is obvious. Once tall as towers, the wrinkled white hats have disappeared over time.
Why do chefs wear white hats?
In the early 18th century, white hats were worn for hygienic reasons, to make it clear when the uniform was dirty and to prevent hairs getting into the food.
The first hats were flattened, and over time became larger. The taller hats allowed better air circulation and helped keep cooks from passing out from the heat in the kitchen.
Marie Antoine Carême, one of the first chefs of French haute cuisine, is credited with creating the standard chef's hat as we know it today, but there are numerous stories that explain how the chef's hat first came about and how it evolved over time.
Tattoos
Skin covered in ink is one of the stereotypes when it comes to chefs, but there is at least a grain of truth in every stereotype.
"I started getting tattoos when I started cooking," says David Zilber, former executive chef at Noma restaurant, adding that cooking is a form of artistic expression and artists are no strangers to tattoos.
He believes "the kitchen is a space filled with emotion and intensity, much like an art studio."
Isaac Fitzgerald, author of the book Knives and Ink: and the Stories Behind Their Tattoos, talked to more than 60 chefs about their tattoos and concluded that chefs use symbols on their bodies to express their identity, individual expression and belonging to a community.
White uniform
In addition to the hats, Marie-Antoine Karem also contributed to the white workwear. The French chef introduced white uniforms that clearly indicate when it is time to wash and change.
In addition, chefs in white uniforms gave the impression of elegance and professionalism, because good chefs leave no mess either on their workstations or on their clothes. Nowadays you will also see cooks in black, most often because of the hierarchy, because that way you know who is in command.
And why do chefs wear black gloves?
In addition to the obvious, hygienic reasons, there are many arguments for wearing gloves in the kitchen: they will protect the skin from vegetables that stain the skin, such as beets, from hot peppers, fingerprints will not be visible on dessert icings, and they will also serve as a barrier between warm fingers and from butter that needs to stay cold.
One of the reasons why chef's gloves are black is the popularity of cooking videos on social media: black looks more noticeable, sometimes more dramatic, and creates a great contrast with pink salmon, white flour or cheese like mozzarella, and citrus. Plus, you'll agree that black gloves pair better with tattoos. / BGNES
