Female fashion heats up professional kitchens

Michal Ansky, an Israeli culinary icon and cofounder of the chef couture, SigNature, poses in her chef couture. Photo by Feng Minghui / China Daily

Hotel showcases female chefs and artists

Maid-themed cafe in Chongqing

A restaurant is not only a place to eat, but also a place to stage a show in which the chef is the star. And for female chefs who take center stage in kitchens, they have now been given another chance to express themselves. Feng Minghui reports.

A new fashion line of chef uniforms made for women were presented during an event called "Women Power in the Culinary World," a gastronomy celebration in Beijing held at the Crowne Plaza Beijing Sun Palace last month.

"Now it is the first time in the world that there is a female uniform," said Michal Ansky, a gastronome from Israel and also cofounder of the chef couture, SigNature.

"Although women have always been in the kitchen," explained Ansky. "They have been excluded from professional kitchens. This is evident in standard chef's clothing, which may compliment the "sexy" belly of a male chef but are less flattering to a woman's waist. This is one of the main tasks SigNature is undertaking."

Unlike the standard uniforms worn by chefs, "Signature," a new brand for kitchen garments, presents customized couture for women chefs, highlighting the small details that make all the difference.

Flamboyant lining, fancy buttons and fine details give these uniforms their "twist" and enable the chefs who wear them to bring personal expressions to the way they look in the kitchen.

"It's very feminine, chic and stylish," said Michal Ansky, "We put a little bit more attention in the details. The design is like cooking. We pick a piece of celery and put it on the dish to make it very particular. Women that work in the kitchen should impress themselves."

Michal Ansky, an Israeli culinary icon, also shared her secrets of success with China Daily.

"First of all, be yourself. Don't quote anyone else. Don't try to be like anyone else. Don't be violent," she offered.

"Use your head and look around you for inspirations. I get inspirations in China," she later added.