If you’ve ever visited a classic, high-end hotel or had the good fortune to peek inside the kitchen of a classic dining establishment, you may have also seen a chef donning a tall, white hat.
These hats, also known as toques or sometimes toques blanches, are an integral part of a traditional chef’s uniform, especially in upscale 4 and 5-star hotels around the world. They are worn with a traditional white chef’s jacket and small blue check or black trousers.
Traditional chef’s hats are white, tall, and pleated; they are occasionally made of cloth, which needs to be starched to make it stand tall, but nowadays, paper is more likely to be used.
Due to the risk of cross-contamination, a hat is a necessary component of a chef’s attire. It is thought that the toque originated from the cloth or stocking caps worn by French chefs in the early 1700s and that its wearing dates back to that period.
Why Do Chefs Wear Tall Hats?
Traditionally, a chef’s hat height indicates their level of expertise and authority in the kitchen. As a result, the executive chef wears the tallest hat in the kitchen, and as you move down the heirarchy, the hats get shorter.
With flat caps and driver’s caps from Chef Works, your front- and back-of-house uniforms will have an urban, street-inspired look that is perfect for a relaxed, stylish appearance. Without sacrificing comfort or hygiene, this type of headgear is perfect for cafes, restaurants, and bars because it creates a contemporary appearance and laid-back atmosphere.
It is said that chefs have worn hats since the 16th century. According to one legend, the hat was invented in the old kitchens of European castles and upscale eateries, where there were no ventilation systems and thick, heavy layers of condensation and grease would build up on the ceilings. The chefs would ask the housekeepers to starch up old pieces of sheets to cover the top of the head to prevent it from getting splattered with grease. Following wrapping, the pieces were assembled into a tall cylinder shape with a pouch at the top. Additionally, rags and cloths were positioned inside to absorb any falling grease.
The beanie enables the addition of color to a uniform. Although these beanies typically come in white, black, or checked patterns, other colors are available to match a uniform. The beanie is either made of cloth or paper, is fitted tightly around the head, and has an elastic back. Some beanies have a mesh top that lets air escape, allowing the wearer to feel cooler while working.
Modern chef hats are tall in order to promote airflow above the head and act as a heat outlet. Toque blanche, which translates to “white hat,” is the name of this particular hat. They are worn because the health department mandates that restaurant staff members wear hats or other forms of hair restraint. Wearing a hat prevents sweat from dripping down the face and hair from falling into food.
The modern toque is made in a variety of colors and flops over to one side, as opposed to the traditional toque’s height and stiffness. The chef’s pleats and hat height no longer indicate their level of experience, but they do serve to distinguish them. Students are required to wear toques during training at many traditional culinary schools; these are typically made of disposable paper. The traditional (tall, stiff) toque is still white.
Cooks frequently wear chef hats, also known as toques in French, which are tall, cylindrical hats that are typically made of wool and are used in professional settings in the food industry. To keep the chef hat in place, some models have an elastic band in the back, while other models have a fabric strap around the head. In a professional kitchen, cooks and chefs put on their hats at the start of each shift as a sign of respect because the majority of chef hats are white to indicate cleanliness. Chef hats used to be frequently tall in order to prevent long hair from touching the food on the cooking line. Now, many chef hats are low-profile for comfort. The average diameter of a chef hat is around 7 inches, but some larger styles can reach up to 10 inches.