Tiaan Else
From passion in the kitchen to the passion of dressing the kitchen
Tiaan began his culinary journey in 2013, studying to become a professional chef through the Protea Hotels internship programme. After graduating in 2016 he spent two years at Protea Fire & Ice! Melrose Arch, before joining Douglas & Hale, a food and wine concept within the Brightside Farms group, where he developed a passion for farm-to-table principles and traditional meat preparation.
Having worked in professional kitchens himself, he understands first-hand what chefs and hospitality professionals expect from their workwear.
“Workwear needs to perform in the real world.”
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His time at Protea Fire & Ice! gave him valuable insight into the demands placed on chefs and hospitality teams, from high-pressure service and long working hours to the importance of consistency, presentation, and quality.
At Douglas & Hale he explored food beyond the traditional restaurant kitchen, with a stronger focus on fresh produce and understanding the journey from the farm to the plate. He also gained practical experience with smoked meats and different preparation techniques, and working closer to the source of the ingredients gave him a deeper appreciation for quality, craftsmanship and the connection between farmers, chefs, and the final dining experience.
Today, Tiaan brings this experience into his role with ChefGear. His background across professional kitchens, hotels, food production, and farm-to-table environments continues to shape his focus on functionality, durability, comfort, and quality.
From the kitchen to the farm, and now into the business of professional hospitality apparel, Tiaan’s journey gives him a unique perspective on what hospitality professionals actually need from the uniforms they wear every day.
