How 4 New York City Chefs Are Redefining Workwear
From the Tilit jumpsuits that Kris Yenbamroong and Missy Robbins wear to the countless ranks of Hedley and Bennett fans and streetwear devotees, it's clear that the chef's uniform has gone rogue. If toques and chef’s jackets aren’t being pressed and put on every morning, what are people wearing in kitchens these days? I asked chefs from some of my favorite New York establishments to find out.
Photo by Emily Sundberg1/4Zoe Kanan, pastry chef at Freehand Hotel
"I look for lightweight fabrics that won’t stick to my body or rub my forearms raw while shaping dough. I opt for white clogs because they show less flour than the typical black or brown. Plus the patent leather finish is easier to clean, so they look fresher for longer. I love vintage chore pants —they just don’t make ‘em like they used to. My best source is the men’s section at 10ft Single by Stella Dallas in Williamsburg: A deep blue pair from the classic French brand Sanfor are my biggest score to date. I’m a huge advocate of ClogOutlet.com, and themed socks are essential to a good day in the bakery. I did a giant sock overhaul recently and splurged on 20 pair from Hansel From Basel. The chefs at Freehand all wear these beautifully crafted camel-colored aprons from Jones of Boerum Hill with a white porter shirt. I’m also a bandana enthusiast. You can find 10 different colors in my locker, including a lucky pink one my mom wore in the ’80s, but I’m still on the hunt for olive green. I’m also a fan of the hemp line from White Bark Workwear, the Tilit Pullover Chef Shirt, and Polka Pants utility trousers."
Photo by Emily Sundberg2/4JJ Caban, pizza maker at Scarr’s Pizza
"I’m not too interested in brands making clothes specifically for cooking. I feel like a person should be able to do what they want in whatever they want to wear. I’d like to defeat the idea of formality through kitchen wear, and show people that you can make a great meal without having to look the part. I usually like wearing baggy clothes when I work. It just breathes better, and when you’re next to a 600-degree oven all day, it matters. My style comes from what’s around me, and through my clothes, I wanna tell people that. I like wearing a lot of drop crotch shorts or pants in particular and nice comfy sneakers. I recently got this pair of Skechers that was a collab with an anime called One Piece, and they’re by far the loudest, comfiest shoes I have ever see anyone wear. I wear a lot of clothes my friends make, like Dos Tousana, @ekouniverse, and @buttaandguns. I just got this sick Orchard Beach tee by the young ladies who have been selling them for over 30 years. I’m not too into paying a lot for clothes because of brand names, but I always will spend good money on high-quality goods made by people just like you and me. It’s all about my culture: Latin New York culture."
Photo by Emily Sundberg3/4Natasha Pickowicz, pastry chef at Flora Bar and Altro Paradiso
“In general I keep things super streamlined at work—nothing that would get in the way of making and tasting delicious food. I prefer to wear our restaurant-issued linens matched with my own straight-leg pants or jeans, clogs or boots, and some kind of ridiculous novelty sock. I'm a grown woman and my mother still sends me wild socks on the regular. I gravitate towards more generalized "workwear" brands—Carhartts, Lee's, Levi's. I love Loup, the Brooklyn-based brand. Their slightly stretchy wide-leg jeans (which come in pink, my favorite color) happen to be my dream work pant. Pockets are a must. Shoes are the most important item I consider when cooking. Blundstones make the best all-purpose, most comfortable work wear shoe I have yet to encounter. I have yet to replace my original pair."
Photo by Emily Sundberg4/4Aaron Crowder, chef at Cervos
"I look for durability, comfort and classic style—but not in that order. At Cervos, we get 100-percent cotton white aprons that also are very comfy and look great, although they are a little short on me. I really love the classic brands like Carhartt and Dickies—here’s a reason that people keep wearing those brands. I’m not so into “cheffy” brands. They don’t seem to get it right very often. I love wearing Vans “authentic style” because they are the most comfy and are the best-looking shoe generally. I switch between off-white and blue with white socks, which are new for me. I wear clogs too, but I don’t wear a toque."
