When visiting a restaurant, first impressions often count. With the appropriate gastronomy workwear you give your employees not only a professional and uniform appearance, but at the same time the necessary work protection. Apart from an appealing design, workwear for gastronomy should also feature equally relevant characteristics such as functionality and practicability and meet all safety and hygiene regulations.
At the same time, other important aspects such as the budget or the durability of the materials should not be left out of sight. The selection of the right gastronomy clothing should therefore be made with consideration and a view to the future. We will show you what the most important quality features of modern workwear for gastronomy are and what regulations they should comply with.
Planning the right gastronomy workwear
You want to dress your team professionally and in line with your image? Choosing the right workwear for gastronomy can be a real challenge and should not happen hurriedly. After all, a consistent overall image of your staff is the figurehead of your restaurant. Before you start buying the gastronomy clothing, you should plan carefully in advance and develop a clear concept.
1. Needs and hazards analysis
With a needs analysis, for example, you can pinpoint aspects such as the desired color spectrum, the materials, the required quantity of garments per employee, the composition, and the favored collection pieces in advance. Likewise, you should consider which clothing will be used in which areas. If your business also involves hazardous operations, a hazard analysis will help determine whether standard-compliant PPE protective clothing needs to be used.
2. Sizes and option to buy replacements
Before purchasing, you should also make sure that the gastronomy clothing is available in many different sizes so that every employee can be dressed comfortably. Equally important is that there is an option to buy replacements for the collection. The supplier should be able to deliver the collection items at least five years later, so that the entire team does not have to be equipped with new workwear when it wears out or when new employees arrive.
3. Involving the employees
Involve your employees when planning and choosing gastronomy workwear. After all, they are the ones who have to wear the clothes for hours every day and should feel comfortable in them. Furthermore, it is also of great interest to you as a restaurateur that your employees represent your company to the outside world in the best possible way. Wear tests and try-ons can be beneficial in this regard to get clarity on the look, comfort and functionality.
4. Budget and financing
When it comes to budgeting and financing, there are a few things to keep in mind. Right in the planning stage, it should be clarified exactly what budget is available for the gastronomy clothing and how much needs to be invested. This also includes the decision whether to buy or lease the gastronomy clothing. Keep in mind that at least three sets must be purchased for each employee. Added to this come varying costs for logos or embroidery and the addition of new employees and temporary staff.
Especially for start-ups, gastronomy workwear can represent a very high and uncertain initial investment. An alternative to buying workwear for gastronomy is the textile rental service. It offers the advantages of fixed cost overviews, monthly installment payments and, in most cases, professional care and repair of all garments. Evaluate the options and consider consulting with outside professionals, which can often save time and prevent some bad decisions.
Features of high-quality workwear for gastronomy
The hospitality industry is no ordinary work environment. Working in gastronomy demands a lot from employees. Along with a stressful work atmosphere at peak times, heat and other sources of danger provide additional burdens. Accordingly, the gastronomy workwear should be made of functional and durable materials that provide your employees with the necessary work protection and at the same time allow high comfort.
In order to meet the requirements in the kitchen, in the guest room and at the reception, high-quality gastronomy clothing should have the following quality features:
- heat resistance
- durability
- robustness
- tensile strength
- breathability
- comfort
- lightness
- crease resistance
- durability of the material
- suitability for washers and dryers
- option to buy replacements
Greater focus on hygiene and sustainability in gastronomy clothing
In recent years, especially the aspects of hygiene and sustainability have become the focus for workwear in gastronomy.
The Corona pandemic in particular has shown how essential a well thought-out hygiene concept is for gastronomic businesses. This also applies to the hygiene of the gastronomy clothing. Many workwear suppliers offer certified washing procedures for clothes from food operations according to EN 14065. This way, your employees do not have to wash their clothes at home, and you can ensure that all your hygiene measures are met.
Likewise, consider the environmental aspect when selecting the appropriate gastronomy workwear. High-quality gastronomy workwear is made of durable materials and can be used over a long period of time without having to be constantly replaced. This has a positive impact on your restaurant's sustainability footprint.
Regulations for gastronomy clothing
Since your staff comes into contact with food, they are not allowed to work in everyday clothing, neither in the kitchen nor in the service area. Not even if an apron is worn over it. The most important aspect in gastronomy is cleanliness and compliance with the HACCP concept: Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point. This regulation ensures the quality of food and relates, among other things, to professional clothing for gastronomy. Thus, their outer fabric must have a barrier effect that is resistant to germs and bacteria.
Current Trends for workwear in gastronomy in 2022
Although gastronomy workwear must have specific features and meet regulations, it does not mean that the fashion aspect should be neglected. After all, a neat and appealing appearance of your team will remain in the memory of your guests. Permanently in vogue are, for example, the classic of light blouse and dark apron or the strong denim look with casual denim-style blouse. If you like it a little more fancy, you should go for colorful accents in the form of colored pockets or buttons. Apart from the latest trends, workwear in matching colors to your corporate identity can also make an impression on your guests.
