The traditional chef''s hat, or toque blanche, is what is most distinguishing and recognizable of the uniform, and also the component which often causes the most debate. Chefs as far back as the are said to have worn toques. During that period artisans of all types (including chefs) were often imprisoned, or even executed, because of their freethinking. To alleviate persecution, some chefs sought refuge and hid There they wore the same clothes as the priests-including their tall hats and long robes-with the exception of one deviating trait: the chef''s clothes were gray It wasn''t until the middle that chef redesigned the uniforms. thought the color white more appropriate, that it denoted cleanliness in the kitchen; it was also at this time that he and his staff began to wear double-breasted jackets. also thought that the hats should be different sizes, to distinguish the cooks from vests the chefs. The chefs wore the tall hats and the younger cooks wore shorter hats, more like a cap. himself supposedly wore a hat that was 18 inches tall! The folded pleats of a toque, which later became an established characteristic of the chef''s hat, were first said to have been added to indicate the more than 100 ways in which a chef can cook an egg.

Much of the chef''s uniform has developed out of necessity. The jacket, for example, is double-breasted so it can easily be reversed to hide stains that may accumulate throughout the vests day; the double layer of cotton is also designed to insulate our bodies against the intense heat of the stove or an accidental splattering of hot liquid. Even the knotted cloth buttons were vests fashioned for a reason-cloth will withstand the frequent washings and abuse buttons often take from contact vests with pots, pans and other vests heavy equipment. Though executive chefs often wear black vests pants, working chefs and cooks usually don pants with black-and-white checks-the dizzying pattern of hound''s tooth camouflages minor spills and soilings. Today s are primarily worn for aesthetic purposes, to give our uniforms a more finished look, but originally cotton cloths were draped around ones neck to soak body sweat while working in the inferno-like kitchens of yesteryear.