Chefs can show how professional they are in how they dress or how they stick to a certain dress code for chefs. Let us look at each item of chef uniform worn by a chef in order to fully grasp the implications of the dress code for chefs. For starters, the hat is the main symbol that shows one is familiar with cookery skills. It is more of a badge to the profession. Staying in the kitchen would require the chef to always have his or her hat on. Even if they are still studying to become chefs in the future, they should still don the hat. Usually white, the hat could either come with pleats or none at all. A rare chef hat is on that is black in color, which is offered to honorary cooks in this profession by fellow chefs.
Next is the necktie that is also white in color. It is usually a folded piece of large triangular cloth that is loosely tied around the neck. Current identifications methods for the apprentice and the master cook are by the use of a necktie and the hat. The main chef would be the one wearing the tall chef hat, along with the necktie. The apprentice, on the other hand, will be wearing a smaller hat, called the chef cap. He would not be using a necktie, either.
Yet another symbol of the profession that should always be worn in the kitchen is the chef coat. However, it is purely for protection purposes. The chef coat has long sleeves and a row of buttons that could either be black or white. It comes in white cloth that is heavy but still breathable. The kitchen is probably one of the busiest places a chef could be, and often, there is a boiling pot in sight. To protect his arms from splashes that come from the boiling pots, the sleeves have to be long. Chefs should never roll their sleeves because that is deemed to be inappropriate behavior. Therefore, they should always keep the sleeves straight.
Part of the outfit of a chef is the apron and torchon. They are supposed to be worn from the waist down. These two pieces go together as a match. The protective apron is made from cloth. Its top is folded before it is wrapped around the waist. The apron, which comes in white color, falls down the length down to the knees. It has two pockets. A kitchen towel called the torchon accompanies the apron. It is used to serve dishes even when they are still hot and any oil or food spillage would be easily dealt with using this piece of cloth.
The dress code for chefs also require that they use the proper shoes and slacks. Ideally, the slacks should be made from a fabric with fine black-and-white or blue-and-white checked print. A dark blue or plain black trouser is also considered an okay choice for the trousers. Using other colors for your trousers as well as various patterns or prints is not allowed. On the other hand, the shoes - preferably slip-on - should have soles with a strong grip or traction that will prevent it from slipping even on wet floors. It is also important that the fabric be impervious to oil and resistant to water.
The final chapter in the chef clothing code will be personal grooming, which limits what is to be worn in the kitchen, hair should be well kempt and under the chef hat. Cleaning the hands and keeping the nails short is also important. The use of make up should be as minimal as possible if not none at all.