Why do chefs wear checkered trousers?

Question

I know it is a traditional part of their uniform, but why checkers?

Answer 1

I was told it hearkend back to the days of cooking over and near an open fire on a hearth. The sparks would fly out and burn tiny spots on the trousers of the person doing the cooking, creating tiny black spots on them. I don't know what this was supposed to prove exactly, other than they played in the fire and didin't buy new trousers very often- but eventually the spotted trousers became the black/white check they wear today. Sort of on the same lines as the black tocques worn by French master chefs. They started out white, and became black from the soot of the open fire. The darker the hat was, the more experienced the chef was supposed to be. I don't think it really meant anything other than he didn't wash the thing, or bother to buy a new one- but there you are. Don't know it's the right explaination, but it's the only one I have.

Answer 2

Because checkered pants don't look nearly as dirty as solid-colors at the end of a shift. Trust me!!

Answer 3

Because of their checkered pasts!

Answer 4

Why does the queen wear a crown?
Why do police officers wear silly hats?


We can associate people with their job roles.

Answer 5

I don't know I just wanted to "check" out the answers (ha!) on this one 'coz it's a really good question the soot theory is great.

Answer 6

Hi it is because if they were white or black they would look really dirty by the end of a shift, checks hide a lot.

Answer 7

Well if a customer gets upset by the service or food,they might come into the kitchen pick up a knife and try to attack them so they weart he trousers to camoflage with the checked floor!
I dunno!

Answer 8

Because it takes the attention off their big funny hats. :)

Answer 9

because plain white ones would just look silly

Answer 10

So they can play chess