Michael Gibney in the amazing Sous Chef describes chef whites as “heat resistant armor that’s light as a feather and comfortable as underwear.” I’m not so sure mine are that comfortable. I guess he buys better quality than I do.

Armor though I can definitely get on board with. I don’t just mean the protection of the double breasted jacket and apron either. The armor of chef whites is more of a feeling for me. A security, a comfort that comes from changing into your work clothes every morning. Then you can say.

I’m dressing up as myself. I am a chef.

This is who I am.

This is what I do.

Say it out loud and proud.

I dressed up as myself for the first time in a long time yesterday. I felt like myself. I was myself.

I went to work.

It was great.