What Does a Baker Wear? The 8 Uniform Essentials
Bakers' uniforms are more than a fashion statement, that makes chefs feel good and happy. They are essential for the hygiene, safety, and effectiveness of the baker in the kitchen. It is an integral part of a baker's work life. Therefore it is vital to know what uniform essentials a baker should have.
This article will cover why a baker's uniform is compulsory for every baker and the essential pieces it should have.
Do bakers have uniforms?
Yes, bakers and chefs need to be protected in the bakery or kitchen from the heat, water and activities that happen in the kitchen and also keeping the hygiene intackt. Moreover, uniforms help easily identify bakers and promote the kitchen's professionalism.
Why do bakers wear uniforms?
In understanding why bakers wear uniforms, you need to know that the kitchen can be the most dangerous place in a restaurant. The slew of activities in the kitchen requires bakers to be protected against kitchen hazards such as burns, slips and spillages.
But beyond protecting bakers from kitchen hazards, bakers wear uniforms for the following reasons:
Hygiene:
Bakers are responsible for baking meals that guests and customers eat. Therefore, they must be neat when baking. Dirty chef hats, coats or aprons increase the possibility of the food being contaminated with microbes. Therefore, to protect guests from eating bacteria-infected meals, bakers need to wear uniforms.
Professionalism and brand image:
Aprons, chef hats, and other apparel chefs wear help them look professional. Professional look helps with brand image, so having stylish and interesting uniforms is crucial for the business.
Comfort:
Baking can be stressful, so a chef must have a comfortable working space and clothing. In addition to a well-ventilated kitchen, uniforms are designed to ensure the baker’s top performance when working.
Also Read - The Evolution of Chef Jackets: From Traditional to Contemporary Styles
Is it stressful to be a baker?
If you've ever wondered how tough it is being a baker, we are here to tell you that baking is physically and mentally tough. The fun of wearing a fancy baker uniform and mixing dough should not fool you. Baking requires not only baking but also to do several activities.
Some of the other activities a baker does, in addition to baking, include:
- Create new recipes
- Communicating with clients
- Ensuring the hygiene of the kitchen
8 bakers' uniforms essentials
Bakers are renowned for their aprons and hats, distinguishing them from other restaurant staff members.
However, there are other uniform essentials that a baker must wear to be fully kitted, protected and look even more professional.
1. Apron
The best chefs use aprons because it protects their cloth from getting stained. Aprons also protect whatever you are cooking from getting contaminated.
Aprons are often made with soft materials, usually, 100% cotton, a blend of poly and cotton or a blend of poly and viscose.
How to select apron for baker?
When selecting apron materials, you must ensure the materials are light and breathable so you can feel comfortable in the kitchen.
The best chef aprons are made from cotton because cotton absorbs sweat well and is comfortable on the skin.
White aprons and black aprons are the most preferred for many bakery kitchens. However, you can choose any colours that will fit your brand.
2. Dust Coat or Chef Coat
Chefs worldwide need to protect their bodies from the bakery kitchen's heat. The best chef coats in the world are made from cotton and are double-layered.
Chef coats are also called chef jackets. These jackets are double layered because should one side get stained, the baker can reverse the coat, hiding the stained part while still looking smart.
Chef coats are usually black or white. However, depending on your company's brand colour, you can use whatever colour you prefer. Bakers prefer white coats because they can easily bleach them.
3. Chef Hat:
The best chefs you see on television are recognized for their chef hats. These hats protect the drops of sweat a chef has when mixing the dough.
The hats also cover the head and protect strands of the chef’s hair from ending up in the food.
Chef hats are made from various materials, but the best material for making chef hat is cotton. Cotton is used for chef hats because it is light and easy to wash.
The size of the chef hat depends on the kitchen style, baker's head and what suits the baker.
4. Bakery-Safe Footwear:
In the kitchen, bakers need to protect their legs from water and the coldness of the floor.
Most bakery-safe footwear are water-proof, have good friction, and are lightweight. The baker's shoes should fit the baker and not be slippery
Also Read - How To Choose Chef Shoes
5. Oven Mitts:
An oven mitt is a thick glove a baker uses to touch hot surfaces and kitchen utensils such as ovens, pans, and pots.
Most oven mitts are made from a range of materials. Some of them are:
ClothLeatherSilicone. It is the most preferred material for oven mitts because it can withstand heat as high as 260 degrees Celsius
6. Spare Tea Towel:
Chefs need towels to clean their hands while cooking. Chef towels can be either white or black or whatever the kitchen head prefers.
7.Chef Trousers:
Trousers worn by a chef are designed to help protect the chef from contaminants. Chef trousers are usually made from thick materials, which protect the chef from hot spills.
At the same time, chef trousers should be loose fitting so the chef can breathe easily and move freely.
8. Chef Bag:
Chefs always use one kitchen tool or the other, moving from one place to the next. They need a bag to keep all their tools. A chef bag is reimagined and can be worn as a tool belt or apron with pockets. These bags have pockets where the chef can keep their tools while moving about in the kitchen.
Conclusion:
The baker's outfit is integral to a baker's success in the kitchen. Although there are no cast-in-stone ways of keeping a chef's uniform clean, chefs should wash their uniforms regularly, treat stains properly before washing, and have a neat overall look.
