A good set of chef uniforms can prevent common chef's injuries

“Cooking on the line is a sport. It’s regimented and it’s continuous. You’re always pushing, just like an athlete: the highest quality you can manage in a specific time frame, doing it again and again."

As customers sit comfortably awaiting their entrée, the chefs are tirelessly standing, making sure to perfect every dish. Standing in a restricted area for hours can indeed take a toll on your body and mind especially towards the end of service. The clumsiness that comes alongside fatigue will eventually sneak up on you. No matter how careful you try to be, injuries are bound to happen.

With that said, let’s go through the types of injuries that are commonly faced by chefs! 

Cuts

Chefs are always dealing with sharp utensils. Even though they're trained to use knives, cleavers, graters and slicing machines, they are still humans who work long hours. Hence, mistakes are inevitable. 

Burns

Besides knives, chefs are always around open flames, hot oil, boiling liquid and the different levels of steam. Since restaurants are more often than not, running at a fast pace, chefs are normally handing more than one pot at a time. Working with intense heat, it’s not surprising how frequently chefs get burnt. 

Back Pain

Imagine standing for long periods of time, with little to no break. Lifting heavy pots will take a toll on your spine, leaving you with different types of strains, especially on your back. Even after you go home to rest for the day, your back can still be aching the next day. 

Seeing how dangerous things can get from the moment chefs step into the kitchen, further precautions have to be taken. So, what can Chefs do to make things safer? 

To start, chefs should always be in the proper attire! They should never just throw on a t-shirt and shorts while in the kitchen due to the dangerous nature of a kitchen. Chef Jackets are commonly made with a polycotton blend. This material protects them from the excessive heat emitted by the stoves, and ovens, and the boiling liquids around them. Long sleeved jackets are made to protect a chef’s arms from hot oil and other burns. Being surrounded by fire, knives and all the various kitchen apparatus while having minimal thin clothing on is just disaster waiting to happen. Chefs are always advised to invest in a good chef’s uniform because not only are they protective, they are also incredibly stylish and useful. 

Check out our most popular jackets here

 

The most popular chef jacket are typically double-breasted:

This means that the jacket has overlapping front flaps with two symmetrical columns of buttons on the front! 

 

Since the kitchen is the busiest part of the restaurant, most of the chefs would be working at a fast pace. It's common for them to accidentally spill food on themselves here and there. The traditional double-breasted chef jacket provides an additional layer of protection against the high levels of heat and splatters. This also helps them conceal the stains whenever it gets too messy by switching to another side of the yoke. This provides convenience for the Chef who needs to have a quick chat with the patrons in the dining room.

Besides restaurants, these traditional chef jackets can also be spotted in culinary schools, where they learn the basics and theory of cooking! A protective jacket is definitely a must-have while still trying to master the art of cooking. Shop GreenChef’s double-breasted chef jacket: Classic Chef Jacket.

With the ever-changing trends today, kitchens are now adopting the open-kitchen concept which allows customers to see the chefs in action. With this new concept, chef jackets have also evolved to help ease the burden of having to look professional, yet comfortable while cooking. There are now designs that incorporate the similar characteristics of a shirt. Many of these jackets now not only look casual but are presentable and comfortable. With single yoke, the chef can maintain the protectiveness of a traditional jacket through wearing an apron. Shop GreenChef work shirt cum chef jacket: Mint Chef Jacket.

An example of an open concept kitchen by Braci, Singapore

While it is important to look professional, being safe should always be the Chefs’ top priority!  If Chef Jackets are not for you, why not opt for aprons? There are various styles of aprons for you to best suit your style, and it still acts as an extra protective layer. 

Chefs are truly the only ones who know how dangerous it can get whenever they step into the kitchen. Knowing how to pair a protective chef jacket top, an apron, chef pants, and chef safety shoes is what ties everything together when practising kitchen safety. All of these play a role in staying safe during the everyday life of a Chef.  

Go home to your loved ones safely after a long day in the kitchen! 

Best-selling Apron here

Best-selling Chefs Pants here