The Importance of a Chef's Uniform

Imagine for a moment sitting in a doctor's office waiting room with a bad case of tonsillitis. As the minutes tick away, you can't wait to see the doctor to get the surgery you need so you can feel better. Imagine the nurse, in his or her immaculate white nurse's uniform, enter the room and announce that the doctor can see you now. You enter the examination room, and you see a guy wearing a greasy Metallica T-shirt with dried ketchup and mustard stains on it. His jeans are ripped and faded with caked dirt at the knees. You look up at the wall and see his impressive degree from a top-notch medical school and nationally-recognized college. Would you trust such a person with your health? I didn't think so either. Appearances count. How you dress reflects how you view yourself and how you want the world to view you. This is true with doctors, lawyers, dentists, and yes, chefs too. In fact, a professional appearance is especially important for a chef because you physically handle your customers' food. There is a lot of trust involved. Don't waste this trust by failing to invest in the right chef uniforms. If you are still unclear as to why chef uniforms are important, get up to speed by considering the factors below.

Professionalism:

If you want to be treated like a professional, you have to dress like one. I know this is a hard concept for some people to grasp because they might think the old saying of “the clothes make the man” is outdated and superficial. While it's true that 'it is what is in the inside that counts' is true, your restaurant's diners don't have the luxury of getting to know you over a long period of time. They only have a few seconds to determine if you are a person they can trust with their meals. Chef uniforms convey a message of professionalism because uniforms show you are serious about your craft enough to invest in the right uniform. At its most basic, professionalism is all about seriousness and focus; chef uniforms send out this message loud and clear.

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Rank-Kitchen Morale:

A well-functioning kitchen is the product of team effort. In addition to the chef, a wide array of support personnel make culinary magic happens. From the chef to the busboy to the dish washer, everyone must know their roles and do their roles well for the kitchen to run smoothly. Chef uniforms convey rank, and this helps ensure everyone keeps to their roles. Just as a military unit with a unified uniform will quickly devolve into confusion and insubordination, a kitchen without chef uniforms and support staff apparel can quickly get chaotic specially as orders flood in. Chef uniforms communicate rank and rank establishes order. If you want a smooth-running kitchen where everybody sticks to their part, invest in the right uniforms.

Branding:

Chef uniforms are indispensable when it comes to establishing or maintaining your restaurant's brand. In the dog-eat-dog food and beverage industry, you need to use every bit of leverage you can to stay one step ahead of your competition. By having your logo embroidered on your custom-made chef's uniforms, you help brand your restaurant. This is especially crucial when making public appearances or leaving the kitchen to greet diners and restaurant supporters. Use it to your advantage today!

Chef Gear offers an embroidery service and you can learn more about it here.

The Bottom Line:

Chef uniforms are not simple pieces of clothing that keep your regular clothes stain-free when you're cooking. They do more than that. They influence how much professional impact you make, how your kitchen staff sees you, and, most importantly, how your diners see you. Invest in Handy Chef uniforms today and unleash their ability to take your restaurant to the next level.

Are you a business owner who’s looking for qualify, affordable uniforms for your employees? Contact us today  – we look forward to learning more about your specific needs!

(Source: Handychef)