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Having a job as a chef or other kitchen staff member can prove to be an exciting career choice; you get to take part in the process of creating unique dishes for many restaurant patrons to enjoy, alongside becoming part of a cohesive team that is constantly working together to achieve a common goal. That being said, working in a kitchen is a job with many challenges. Not only will you be working according to a timeline that can suddenly speed up at a moment’s notice, but there can also be a great deal of pressure when working in a kitchen.
Despite the pressure that chefs face in their day-to-day jobs, there are ways to ensure better chances of success – and being as comfortable as possible while still dressing professionally and appropriately for the environment is one of those ways. Before getting a new job, you might need to check in to see if there is any specific dress code in place so that you can be compliant and ready to work. Still, there are always basics that any chef needs, no matter their workplace’s requirements.
Along with having the necessary attire, here are a few tips to help you stay comfortable throughout your shift while working in a kitchen.
Choose the Right Pants
When you are dressing for your new job in a kitchen, you aren’t focusing on style. While hosts and servers at the front of the house might have a bit of leeway when dressing fashionably, working in the kitchen is all about being comfortable and dressing appropriately for the day’s work.
To that point, you will want to ensure that you stock up on comfortable bottoms that can see you through your shift. Men and women have unique shapes, so it’s important to get clothing for your bottom half. For instance, ladies will need quality chef pants for women designed specifically for their physique, enabling them to be comfortable on their feet in the kitchen all day. Such pants come in styles, colors, and fabrics that are purpose-made for kitchen work and will also be comfortable enough to wear all day long.
Invest in Good Shoes
In addition to wearing the proper clothing, it is also essential to ensure that you look after your feet when working in a kitchen. This means wearing breathable, comfortable socks and ensuring that you invest in some comfortable, supportive shoes.
As a chef, your choice of footwear isn’t going to be about being fashionable or stylish; rather, it will be about providing your feet with the support they need to carry you through those long shifts, so don’t get too caught up in how your shoes look – comfort is key.
Generally, it is worth spending a bit extra on footwear designed for working in the kitchen for long periods. This means finding shoes with good traction, solid ankle support, and cushioned soles to ensure maximum comfort. Plus, choosing a pair that’s easy to wash would not be a bad idea either; that way, you can easily and quickly wipe them clean at the end of the day.
Have a Stretching Routine
When your days are spent on your feet, it is crucial to ensure that you give your body what it needs to recover when you aren’t on the clock. As such, it can be helpful to develop a daily stretching routine that you can do outside of work.
Being a chef is hard work – both mentally and physically – and you need to take care of your body if you want it to carry you through each shift. It’s not uncommon for chefs to experience aches and pains from being on their feet all day; therefore, focusing on stretches that target your back and your lower body can be a helpful solution that helps prevent issues in these areas.
These will be the areas of your body that usually end up carrying most of the workload when you are working long shifts in the kitchen, which is why stretching these particular muscles daily is an important part of a chef’s routine that’ll see you lead a happier and healthier life – professionally and personally.
