Alexis HullAlexis Hull
18:15 28 Nov 23
Coast Linen Services is fantastic! Customer service is friendly and helpful and the... delivery staff is great! Highly recommend. - Stage House Tavern Scotch Plainsread more
AngelAngel
22:39 16 Nov 23
From Basking Ridge Country Club. Good Service. Great attentiveness. Great drivers. Good... product.read more
christopher cerretochristopher cerreto
20:25 13 Nov 23
Tommy's Tavern and Tap Edison uses Coast Laundry services and they do a great job for us.... Always deliver on time and adjust our pars based on our volume. I would recommend them for sure.read more
Matt BeyerMatt Beyer
18:58 13 Nov 23
Amazing service as always. I’m a General Manager of a Tio Taco & Tequila Bar and I cannot... explain what a comfort it is to have a reliable Linen company taking care of our business. Gabriel is THE BEST driver and we’re always well taken care of!!read more
Christian MercadoChristian Mercado
19:49 16 Oct 23
Coast Linen Services is an awesome company and it makes sense because of there 5 star... customer service. I’ve been managing Esquína Latina for 3 years now and I’ve never had an issue. The driver Gabrielle as well is phenomenal, he will go above and beyond to ensure your order is correct. If your missing anything he will make sure you get it the next day. The restaurant has used them since they’ve been open (8 years) and will continue because loyalty is key and their entire company from top to bottom starting with Bobby who regularly checks in with me, are as loyal as they come .read more
Alexandra BongioviAlexandra Bongiovi
21:38 29 Sep 23
I've been a loyal customer of this linen company for some time now, and I can't say... enough about their excellent service. Tony, one of their top professionals, has consistently gone above and beyond to meet our needs. We have multiple accounts with them, and I can confidently say that we've never encountered any issues. If you're in search of a reliable linen supplier, look no further. This company truly delivers outstanding service.read more
PeterPeter
19:45 29 Sep 23
As an employee of Sol Mar Restaurant, I couldn't be happier with our partnership with... Coast Linen. Their top-notch linens and Tony exceptional service have been a game-changer for our events. Luis's responsiveness and expertise make all the difference when we're in a pinch. Highly recommended!read more
Mike RodriguezMike Rodriguez
14:47 27 Sep 23
I've done business with these guys for 8 years at all my restaurants. Service is second... to none! Tony has been outstanding. At my newest restaurant I tried out a competitor of theirs, but shortly after opening I realized how inferior their service was compared to Coast. Only few months I reached out to Tony to make the switch. I recommend Coast Linen Svc. for all your linen needs and more.-Michaelread more
Jesus PerezJesus Perez
02:38 21 Sep 23
I have been doing business with Coast Linen at Spain Inn Restaurant (Piscataway, NJ) and... at Manolo Tapas (NYC) for almost 15 years and their service is incomparable. From their sales representatives (Bobby and Martin), office staff and delivery team. I could not ask for a more attentive, professional and personalized service. They carry an extensive product list and go out of their way to always have everything in stock. It makes our job so much easier knowing that they are always reliable.read more
js_loader

Style and Function: A History of Chef Uniforms

history of chef uniforms

The history of chef uniforms is extensive. There are few professional uniforms more iconic and recognizable than the pristine, white chef uniform. The garment conjures up images of fine dining and culinary excellence. Not to mention, the pristine white garment is also symbolic of the foodservice industry’s commitment and responsibility to hygienic food preparation.

To the untrained eye, that’s all there is to the chef uniforms: a distinctive style that represents hygiene and professionalism. To the more refined and knowledgeable in the culinary arts, the chef uniform is a  masterpiece in functional design. The knotted cloth buttons, for example, are designed specifically for the kitchen. The fabric covering/construction prevents it from melting as chefs work in such close proximity to open flames. The long sleeves and double layers of the jackets help protect against burns. Its reversible, double-breasted frontage helps hide the stains that are inescapable realities of the professional kitchen.

But how did the modern chef uniform come about? Allow us to take you on a journey into the history of chef uniforms. The evolution of the chef uniform is more than just a fashion story. It tells as much of the evolution of the profession.

Chef’s Hat or Toque

There are varying versions of how the chef’s hat came to be. These versions include tales of poisoned kings and chef beheadings over a stray hair in Henry VIII’s court. One of the more prominent tales, however, is one that dates back to 146 BCE during the Byzantine invasion of Greece. According to this version, Greek chefs evaded capture by dressing up as monks. The monk garb included large stovepipe hats that more or less look like the tall toques that we know today. After the invasion, the Greek chefs allegedly kept the hat and later generations of chefs have followed suit.

The distinctive pleats came a bit later. They’re more of a symbol of personal pride for their wearer. Legend has it that each pleat represents one dish that the chef has mastered. The more pleats there are, the larger the expertise.

Chef’s Jacket

The use and, essentially, creation of the white, double-breasted chef jackets that we know today is attributed to Marie-Antoine Carême. Carême cooked in the kitchens of European royalty, including that of Napoleon Bonaparte. His fame was so widespread that he is considered the first celebrity chef.

Aside from creating culinary masterpieces and the quintessential four mother sauces, Carême was also known for his recipe books. In them, he included sketches of himself wearing no less than the white, double-breasted jackets. This distinctive look became associated with culinary excellence. Decades later, French culinary artist Auguste Escoffier made the jacket a standard in professional kitchens. Escoffier especially emphasized the use of white jackets to convey a message of hygiene.

Pants, Et Cetera

There is little evidence or historical detail to account for how or when culinary professionals included the houndstooth/checked pants. The same is true for the less frequently seen neckerchief. Chef’s attire evolved first out of necessity and then into a distinctive style known and respected across the globe.

Interested in High-Quality Chef Uniforms?

We hope you enjoyed this journey into the history of chef uniforms. Are you looking for chef uniforms for your business? Contact Coast Linen Services today! We have been the trusted source of top-quality chef uniforms since 1945. Our expertise in restaurant apparel supply and servicing will make a world of difference in your restaurant kitchen.

Call Coast Linen Services at (732) 775-2000 or email us your inquiries at sales@coastlinenservices.com. 

Share this article