Why Do Chefs Wear Clogs?
Whenever we go to a restaurant and consume our delicious food, maybe the last thing coming to your mind is the footwear of your chef. But some will have noticed that chefs wear a certain type of footwear known as clogs. For those who don’t know, clogs are a type of shoe without a back and easy for the foot to slip in and out of. They have traditionally been made out of wood, but now clogs made of leather or plastic have emerged. There are a variety of reasons behind professional chefs selecting this specific type of footwear.
Firstly, working as a chef requires up to 12 hours of shifts, and anyone who has cooked knows that the job requires being on your feet for a vast majority of the time. Clogs, especially those made for professions such as cooking are designed specifically to support the foot for extended periods of time. In this process, they prevent the wearer from developing blisters and other foot injuries possible in such a hectic job.
Speaking of potential injuries, clogs are able to provide ample protection to the wearer from the dangers which can endanger the feet. The presence of so much food and drink in the kitchen can often lead to unintended spillages on the floor. Clogs are now designed particularly with anti-skid soles to stop chefs from slipping due to these spillages and getting nasty injuries. The insoles of clogs also consist of moisture-absorbing materials to avert slippages possible through foot perspiration. In addition, clogs provide chefs with adequate foot support when they need to lift heavy containers.
The job of a chef requires them to be constantly on the move as the kitchen is an environment of high-stress. In periods of high meal demand, the chef will be required to walk intensely from a deep fryer to a commercial freezer or even run to complete their tasks. Given that clogs provide support and protection against slippages, the chef is able to work at the required pace.
Another good, but less important reason for the wearing of clogs is of cleanliness. Spillages in the kitchen can not only cause slipping hazards, but also leave a huge mess. This mess will inevitable get onto all footwear. Of course, clogs protect the wearer against the dangers of the kitchen, however, although they will get messy, clogs are made of materials which are very easy to clean. This is extremely handy, as it means clogs can be hand-cleaned and worn every day. Thus, there is no need to constantly buy this type of footwear, making them cost-effective.
Finally, clogs are generally a very comfortable piece of footwear people even like to wear for everyday activities, so in a high-pressure environment such as the kitchen, comfortable footwear such as clogs are an absolute must. The more comfortable the chef is, the better they will be able to conduct their job of cooking up high quality meals and the higher the chance people will like and recommend their restaurant.
Overall, there are a whole host of good reasons why chefs wear clogs, so if you are a chef who is looking for appropriate footwear, you should strongly consider investing in a pair of clogs.