We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Fashion

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Are the Different Types of Chef Hats?

By Rebecca Mecomber
Updated: May 21, 2024
Views: 39,882
Share

The origin of the original chef hat is shrouded in mystery, as no one knows precisely when these hats first appeared in royal kitchens. Probably the most recognizable chef hat is known as the toque, or "toque blanche" in French. While no one seems to know exactly when this hat was originally developed, this tall, stiff brimless hat was incorporated as an official chef uniform in the 19th century France by a popular and skilled cook. The toque is worn today by chefs around the world, but other chef hats have since appeared, such as the flared toque hat, the beanie, the beret, the skull cap, the plastic bonnet and the baseball cap. No matter the type of hat, all chef hats have the same purpose: to keep hair and sweat out of the food and the chef supplies.

A chef is generally defined as a professional who cooks food in a kitchen, but more specifically the chef is a skilled professional cook who is trained and experienced in the culinary arts. A true chef has one hat, the toque. The toque may be pleated or may have a flared top, but this special type of headgear sets the chef apart, signifying his or her professional standing in the kitchen amongst the other workers. A chef skillfully trained in the culinary arts and working in a professional environment does not wear a beanie or a baseball cap as part of his or her uniform.

The toque is approximately 9 inches (228 mm) to 12 inches (305 mm) high and is traditionally white. Some toque chef hats are pleated. Pleats display the skill of the chef, as the more pleats on the hat, the more experience and seniority the chef has in the kitchen. A hat with 100 pleats shows exceptional skill, as tradition states that 100 pleats is the reward for the chef's mastery of 100 different methods to cook an egg. In some areas, a taller hat instead of the number of pleats, signifies culinary superiority.

In a more informal setting, the main cook may be referred as the chef, even though this person has not been trained and certified as an educated, professional chef. A short order cook may wear a beanie or a plastic bonnet secured to his or her head with an elastic band. Such a uniform may be considered a chef hat in today's more casual kitchen settings. Some beanies sport a brim, called a casquette.

Other types of informal chef hats include the beret, a popular headpiece worn by pizza-making Italians. Skull caps and garrison caps, popular after the world wars, are other types unofficial chef hats, although these hats are usually seen in military or casual diner settings. The baseball cap has become a popular hat for cooks. Modern headgear may include the emblem or logo of an affiliate or supplier, much like polo shirts and denim jeans labels boast of their designers.

Share
BeautyAnswered is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Discussion Comments
By CandyLady — On Nov 06, 2014

We went on a culinary tour in France a few years ago and were told that the inventor of the toque (whose name slips my mind) was also the chef who came up with the idea of serving meals in order from appetizer to dessert, rather than just putting everything out at once.

Share
https://www.beautyanswered.com/what-are-the-different-types-of-chef-hats.htm
Copy this link
BeautyAnswered, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

BeautyAnswered, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.