Uniform Policy and Equipment List
As we are teaching and training new emerging professionals in the hospitality industry, it is the policy of our department that we adhere to a professional chef dress code. The code follows North Carolina health requirements and those of the American Culinary Federation Education Foundation. Below are listed the requirements and reasons for our programs. The complete uniform must always be worn when working with food in the kitchen or demo lab and when cleaning work areas.
Uniforms are required for the first day of class. They can be ordered using financial aid or a personal payment through the campus bookstore. Ordering information can be found on the "Textbook Info" link for courses CUL 140, CUL 142 and CUL 160.
The chef jacket will include embroidery. The unisex items fit men better; there are women's options for the jacket and the pants.
All uniform items must be kept neat, well repaired and very clean.
- Hair covering – All hair must be covered; if hair extends beyond shoulder length, both a hat and a hairnet must be used (white chef hat, white cap or hairnet). This includes bangs that must be secured off the face or under a hairnet. Facial hair should be trimmed and neat.
Reason: Sanitation, to prevent hair from falling into food
Failure to comply will result in dismissal from class
- Pants – Long black, striped or checked chef pants must always be worn in the kitchen. Pants should be worn at the waist, and they should be ankle-length but not touch the ground. Jeans, joggers or yoga-style pants are not permitted.
Reason: Safety, to protect the student from spills and burns
Failure to comply will result in dismissal from class
- Work shoes – Must be of black leather or non-porous material, closed-toed and cleanable, with a non-slip sole. Shoes must be worn at all times with socks.
Reason: Safety, to protect the student from spills and burns
Failure to comply will result in dismissal from class
- Apron – White, cotton or cotton blend.
Reason: Protects the uniform and helps maintain cleanliness
Failure to comply will result in lab point deduction
Chef coat – White, double-breasted, long sleeves, cotton or cotton blend and buttoned from throat to waist. Full name embroidered on breast, upper- and lower-case letters in black thread. A pen or pencil, a Sharpie and an instant-read thermometer are also required for each lab.
Reason: Safety and sanitation, to protect the student and to protect from food contamination
No coat will result in dismissal from class
Failure to comply with embroidery will result in a lab point deduction
Uniform ordering and embroidery: Call for pricing and availability. (Students receive a 25% discount on all orders directly from Chef Works.)
Jewelry and other accessories
- Watches or bracelets may not be worn in any kitchen lab.
- No rings may be worn, with the exception of a plain wedding band.
- A necklace may be worn beneath the neckerchief and chef’s jacket.
- No facial jewelry nor earrings may be worn in any lab.
- No nail polish of any kind nor false nails are permitted. All nails must be trimmed to finger length.
Reason: Safety and sanitation. Earrings and earring backs can fall into food products. Piercing jewelry can be caught on pieces of equipment and can harbor food and germs, causing unsanitary and unsafe conditions. Wristwatches, wristbands and bracelets are a potential source of cross-contamination.
Failure to comply will result in dismissal from class
NOTE: For safety and sanitation reasons, students will not be permitted to participate in a lab environment if they have improper footwear, no chef jacket, no chef pants, no hair restraint, no socks, a dirty uniform and/or poor personal hygiene. Other deficiencies will result in point deductions from the daily lab score. Students who are out of compliance with the uniform policy are allowed to rectify any issues prior to class. If the student needs to leave class to rectify a uniform infraction, penalties will be assessed.
Baking kit
- 8-inch chef's knife
- 10-inch steel
- 3.5-inch paring knife
- 11-inch wavy-edge slicer
- Kitchen shears
- 6-inch utility wavy-edge
- Y peeler, black handle
- Microplane fine zester – narrow
- Pocket thermometer
- Measuring spoon set
- 2-inch pastry brush
- 1-inch pastry brush
- 1- and 7/8-inch double melon baller
- 10 plain decorating tips
- 10 star decorating tips
- Round cutter set
- Fluted cutter set – round
- 8-inch offset spatula
- 4.25-inch offset spatula
- Dough scraper – metal, 5.25 x 4.25
- Digital scale
- Craft ruler 3 x 18 inches (available at most craft stores)
- Chef Sac Backpacks – recommended backpack case for knife sets (not required)
Cake decorating kit
- Fondant smoother
- Five-piece artist brush set
- Standard plastic coupler
- 6.5-inch Prec Plus tong-offset
- Small decorating tube set
- Hobby knife
- Clear plastic bag (to contain materials)
- Optional: small book bag
