Choosing the right kitchen jacket

The chef's jacket is one of the essential pieces of equipment for all caterers, cooks, restaurateurs, bakers, apprentices or professionals. Kitchen clothing should be synonymous with hygiene and comfort. Here are some tips and information to consider to help you find the perfect workwear for your business.

Why wear a professional kitchen jacket for men and women?

Wear a kitchen jacket (male and female), just like the kitchen apron gives you various advantages:

Protect yourself with a cheap jacket, blouse or kitchen clothes

The main role of this outfit is to guarantee hygiene in the kitchen in order to avoid the transmission of any microorganism present on outdoor clothing. The kitchen jacket also protects the user from dirt. This is why it is part of personal protective equipment (PPE). It can be combined with a pair of shoes and kitchen pants for maximum efficiency.

Stand out with a standard or custom kitchen shirt or uniform

These days, a kitchen jacket has become a real key differentiator. In the same restaurant, a personalized outfit (customized with specific colors or embroidered with a name) allows for better identification. Thus, you will have no difficulty in recognizing each employee and their function. The personalization of your employees' clothes is even considered as recognition and valuation towards them.

How is the purchase of a high-end chef's jacket cheap? Which kitchen jacket to choose?

As the catering trades require rigour, creativity and impeccable quality, the dress of professionals must reflect these parameters. The choice of a chef's jacket should therefore not be made by chance. The following criteria will help you make the right choice.

The quality of the garment and the comfort it provides

You should choose a model of kitchen jacket designed with a strong fabric that is resistant to maintenance, as well as to the worst and best working conditions. So you won't have to replace it too quickly. Also, make sure that the weight of the garment's fabric is between 200 and 240 g/m² to guarantee durability and increased comfort. By choosing a chef's jacket in polycotton or 100% cotton, for example, you will benefit from better breathability and the possibility of washing at high temperature.

The cut of the modern kitchen jacket

While traditional kitchen jacket designs are still around, the days of these garments being baggy and un-tailored are over. Nowadays, the widening of the offers of kitchen uniforms allows all fashion (women, men, small or large) to find the one that suits them. For example, you can find work women's kitchen with a more flattering and feminine cut.

The style of the chef's or other kitchen staff's summer jacket

The evolution of cuts mentioned above has also influenced the style of kitchen clothing. If the officer shirt collar is still in fashion for kitchen jackets, the deal is not obvious with regard to the length of the sleeves. A work top with long or short sleeves? The choice depends on your needs and preferences. Some cooks prefer a short-sleeved jacket in the summer to be less affected by the heat and to avoid any risk of snagging. The latter is very likely with models with long sleeves and French cuffs. The reason why other professional cooks opt for long-sleeved jacket models is that they do not leave their arms bare (a matter of hygiene).

How to clean, wash and detach a white kitchen outfit or jacket?

Washing white kitchen jackets, trousers or aprons often becomes a real headache. To make it easier for you, Oxwork walks you through the following techniques and tips.

First of all, you must respect the washing temperature, the drying time and the bleaching products indicated on the label of the garment. Afterwards, you will have the choice between these two options:

Use products

Some people think that the products sold in the supermarket are ineffective, yet they work perfectly on stubborn stains.

• Bleach: this is the ideal solution for staining white jackets, aprons and kitchen pants. In addition, its application is very easy. All you have to do is soak your outfit in water diluted with the product overnight and machine wash it the next day. However, remember that this technique quickly damages the fabric.
• The ecological way: Terre de Sommières, a 100% natural clay, is the ecological solution for easily removing stains (even the most greasy ones). This product, sold at a low price, has an effective stain-removing and degreasing power. To use it, you must scatter the clay over the stains and let it work for up to 3 hours. Afterwards, remove the product and machine wash your kitchen jacket.

Apply grandma's tricks

There are different grandmother's tips:

• Lemon: very useful for whitening kitchen outfits. Just put a few slices in a sock and throw it in the washing machine.
• Marseille soap: a very effective and easy to apply stain remover. You just have to rub the stain with a slightly moistened Marseille soap and let a crust form. After one hour of rest, you can machine wash your garment.
• Baking soda: to remove greasy stains, divide the dose of your detergent in half and complete it with bicarbonate of soda. This will increase the effect of detergent on stains.
• Hyperoxide: do you want to whiten kitchen clothes? Use 30% hydrogen peroxide (available from a pharmacy)