The one thing most chefs have in common is their white apron, white jacket, and hat, and there are many reasons for this. And even though these days modern chefs tend to prefer black (or any other colour) over white to meet the kitchen/restaurant’s theme, a great number of them still wear white.
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What’s the Story Behind This Tradition?
It is believed that the tradition of chefs wearing white uniforms and aprons comes from the French chef Marie Antoine Careme when in 1822 he wanted to establish a sense of respect and professionalism for chefs because at that time the jobs of chefs weren’t respected at all.
Luckily, he gained respect in the field and this pushed him to create a uniform with which chefs could be identified. Even though it cannot be said with certainty why white colour in particular, it is believed that white is chosen to show a clean environment and work.
Why White Apron in Particular?
Variety of Options
You can choose from several professional and hard-wearing apron white models, which gives you the chance to choose between the different types, sizes and materials. When choosing the right model, make sure to consider the available types on the market and your needs, as this can help you choose the right one. When in the search, look for a model made from a durable and strong material, as this will not only affect its durability and longevity but also its maintenance.
By choosing an apron of this kind, you can have peace of mind that you can bleach and wash as many times as you need without worrying about its condition. Washing and bleaching it can also give you peace of mind that you won’t have to worry about bacteria spread and cross contamination.
Speaking of cross-contamination, white can help you notice spills and stains easily, helping you act quickly and change the dirty uniform with a new one while applying a cleaning solution on the stained one.
Another reason why white is chosen as the main colour for aprons and uniforms is its ability to keep chefs cool even if exposed for a prolonged period to hot temperatures in the kitchen.
Honouring Traditions
Ever since Marie Antoine Careme’s uniform, chefs tend to wear white in honour of him, for the desire to honour tradition and to demonstrate their sterile and clean work and kitchen. When it comes to buying a uniform and apron white is the colour you can find the most in stores since manufacturers produce more white than any other colour. In fact, many chefs tend to wear white also because this is the colour that they can find with ease at any time.
An Appearance of Cleanliness
Given the fact that white is the only colour that shows even the tiniest stain and spill, white is the colour chefs choose for aprons and uniforms as this gives the impression of care, precision and cleanliness.
Wearing a white, spotless clean and wrinkle-free apron can also positively impact the restaurant’s image, making it the first choice by people. In the end, cleanliness matters a lot and everyone wants to eat tasty food in a clean restaurant. The greatest thing of all is that a white apron allows for being bleached which is essential for keeping it clean even after a huge accident in the kitchen. With a uniform of this kind, you won’t have to worry about it becoming stained because you can easily clean it.
How Do You Whiten an Apron?
If you don’t want to turn to the good old bleaching procedure for keeping your apron clean, you can try to remove stains naturally with the help of detergent, white vinegar and water. Mix the vinegar and detergent in warm water, if needed scrub the stains with a clean cloth and soak the apron for a few hours.
After that, wash the apron as usual and let it dry. In case you haven’t been able to remove the stains you can use an abrasive stain cleaner. Additionally, to keep them sparkly clean and snowy white, you can bleach them from time to time.
Types of Aprons in White
There are two main types of chef’s aprons and they typically differ in the purpose. Generally speaking, you can choose from bib and waist aprons.
Bib Aprons
These models seem to offer more coverage since they are designed to protect the front part of your body from spills and stains. In fact, they are one of the most commonly used choices by chefs not only for offering more coverage and protection but also for the huge range of styles and sizes. Usually, they have long straps designed to tie around the waist for an easier fit and a neck loop.
Waist Aprons
As the name suggests, waist aprons only cover the lower part of the body and they are designed to be worn around the waist. They are shorter and leave the upper body part exposed to spills and stains in case of accidents. While the bib models are preferred to be worn during cooking, the waist models of aprons are ideal to be worn when serving food.
