Chef hats have a history that dates back to the beginning of the century. Although the actual origin is not really known, it dates back a long time. It is a popular belief that chefs in the courts of Iran and nearby nations wore chef hats even in BC times, although for reasons that might be different than today. However, the shape and sizes must have undergone considerably some drastic changes since then. Even with all the notable changes, all chefs and cooks around the world are still wearing the chef hat to prevent loose hair from falling onto the dish being prepared, allowing contamination of the dish.

Tradition indicates that the number of folds in the headdress indicates the experience of the chef. Of course, this means that the head chef, who is the one with the most experience, can wear a hat with a hundred folds. Although you don’t find a hundred folds in a chef’s hat these days, these hats contain the most pleats yet. The number of folds also indicates the number of ways the chef can prepare a dish, so any head chef worthy of the title should be able to wear a chef’s hat in honor of the knowledge he possesses.

A chef’s hat that is worn these days is primarily a head covering to represent any other symbolism. They also come in different sizes, heights, and shapes depending on who is wearing them. All cooks, chefs and others involved in kitchen work are supposed to wear them without fail, keeping hygiene in mind more than anything else.

History indicates that both men and women used the touch to cover their heads while cooking. France, Italy, Spain, Germany, and other countries adopted a unique style in the early 16th century. Although the basic use remained the same, to cover the head to prevent stray hairs from falling on the dish being prepared, the unique styles had become fashionable and were very distinguishable from each other. They were also named differently in different languages, although they are all popular today as chef’s hats.

Wool and starched fabric chef hats became a reality in the early 17th century in many countries. These remain popular as, in addition to keeping hair in place, they also absorb heat and sweat caused by heat in kitchens. The early 19th century saw a revolution in chef’s hats. Chefs dealing with various food preparations ended up donning different caps to distinguish themselves in their areas of expertise.

Even with all the advancements in the history of chef hats, they still set chefs and cooks apart, even when they are currently made from paper and fiber rather than fabric. Cooks and chefs around the world wear these hats regardless of history and tradition, resulting in the evolution of chef hats.