Chef Works Coastal Collection: Hemp and TENCEL™ Uniforms from Kitchen to Floor Uniforming a venue usually means pulling pieces from different ranges: a durable jacket for the kitchen, a lighter shirt for the floor, and aprons that may or may not match. The Coastal Collection from Chef Works brings them together with a single fabric, a sustainable blend of 55% hemp and 45% TENCEL™, so chefs, floor staff and bartenders can all wear the same cloth and colours. In the kitchen, the Cardiff Chef Jacket comes in men’s and women’s cuts, with a stand-up collar and a thermometer pocket on the sleeve. Front of house, the Pismo Camp Shirt is also cut for men and women, with a relaxed fit that is easy to move in. Both teams can wear the Huntington aprons, with a full bib for prep and bar work and a half bistro for the floor. Every piece comes in Breeze, Oat and Sage, so the kitchen and floor can be matched across a uniform colour palette. The cloth itself has the soft, lived-in handle of linen, while the hemp gives it the toughness a working uniform needs through back-to-back services. In venues built around timber, stone and natural light, it looks considered rather than corporate, which is exactly the brief Coastal was designed to meet. Shop the Coastal Collection. What is the Coastal Collection made of? Every piece in the Coastal Collection is cut from the same cloth, a blend of 55% hemp and 45% TENCEL™. Chef Works developed it to solve a familiar problem with natural workwear: the fibres that feel good tend to wear out, and the fibres that last rarely feel premium. Pairing the strength of hemp with the softness of TENCEL™ produces a breathable, linen-like fabric from sustainable, plant-based fibres, with enough structure for a full service. Why Hemp? Hemp is a sustainable, biodegradable plant fibre and Chef Works rates it as tougher than linen, with natural fibres that stand up to the wear and tear of continuous use. It also brings a practical advantage on long shifts: hemp is naturally antimicrobial, so the fabric resists the odour-causing bacteria that build up across a double. Soft like linen and hardy as denim, the cloth has enough structure to hold the line of a jacket or the drape of an apron, without the stiffness you would expect from heavy canvas. Why TENCEL™? TENCEL™ is made by Austrian manufacturer Lenzing, which regenerates cellulose from wood sourced from certified or controlled origins meeting FSC® or PEFC standards. Lenzing produces its TENCEL™ Lyocell fibres in a closed-loop process that recovers more than 99.8% of the solvent used, so very little is lost along the way. Responsible sourcing and low-waste production make it a sustainable partner for hemp. Blended with hemp, TENCEL™ softens the handle of the cloth and gives it the feel of fine linen. Lenzing’s lyocell fibres also help manage moisture and support a naturally dry feel, a detail that matters as much on a summer terrace as it does beside the grill. How the blend performs on shift Put the two fibres together and the usual compromise with natural workwear starts to fall away. Pure linen looks the part but creases and wears quickly, while polyester blends last the distance yet rarely feel premium. Coastal sits in the space between, with breathable natural fibres, a relaxed handle and the toughness to keep up with daily service. The Pismo Camp Shirt is made to fade, so the colour gradually softens with washing and the shirt settles into the lived-in look the whole collection is built around. Coastal Collection colourways To keep a team looking uniform, all six products share the same three colourways, each muted enough to sit comfortably against natural interiors: Breeze: a soft, washed blue Oat: a warm natural neutral Sage: a muted grey-green The Coastal Collection Range Cardiff Chef Jacket For the kitchen, the Cardiff Men’s Chef Jacket and Cardiff Women’s Chef Jacket turn the Coastal fabric into a proper working jacket. The stand-up collar keeps the silhouette chefs expect, while short sleeves and a Modern Fit, moderate and slightly relaxed, leave room to move when the pass gets busy. The hidden snap closure sits on the same side for men and women, so the line looks consistent from the dining room, and a left-sleeve pocket keeps the thermometer within easy reach. The men’s jacket runs from S to 4XL and the women’s from XS to 3XL, both priced at $89.95. Chef jackets vary in cut, so it is worth checking measurements before ordering for a team. Our guide to sizing a chef jacket covers how to measure and what each fit type means. [LINK TO CHEF JACKET GUIDE] Huntington Bib Apron The Huntington Bib Apron follows the body with subtle curves rather than hanging flat like a standard bib, and its two slanted hip pockets sit where the hands naturally fall. An adjustable neck strap suits a range of heights, and at 86cm long by 76cm wide there is ample protection for prep and plating. It retails at $45.95. For a closer look at which apron suits each position, see our role-based apron guide for commercial kitchens. Huntington Half Bistro Apron For staff who need pockets more than coverage, the Huntington Half Bistro Apron carries the same curved cut and canted pockets into a 48cm by 76cm waist apron. It ties neatly over a camp shirt or chef jacket, leaves room for a docket book or phone, and retails at $39.95. Pismo Camp Shirt Out on the floor, the Pismo Men’s Camp Shirt and Pismo Women’s Camp Shirt set the tone for the front of house. The open camp collar and Classic Fit drape loosely on the body, which makes a noticeable difference when carrying plates or clearing tables, and a chest pocket keeps a pen close at hand. The men’s shirt runs from S to 4XL and the women’s from XS to 3XL, both at $59.95. Coastal Collection Features and Benefits at a Glance All six products use the same 55% hemp, 45% TENCEL™ fabric and come in Breeze, Oat and Sage. Product Fit Key Features Benefits Cardiff Chef Jacket Modern Fit Stand-up collar, hidden snap closure, left-sleeve thermometer pocket Classic chef look in a breathable natural fabric Huntington Bib Apron Curved to fit Adjustable neck strap, two slanted hip pockets Follows the body for easier movement Huntington Half Bistro Apron Curved to fit Waist ties, two canted pockets Pocket space for floor and bar without full coverage Pismo Camp Shirt Classic Fit Camp collar, chest pocket, made to fade Loose drape for movement between tables Which Roles and Venues Suit the Coastal Collection? Coastal is designed for venues where the uniform is part of what guests experience. The natural fabric and muted palette read as relaxed but polished, which makes the range as well suited to the teams diners can see as to the ones behind the pass. Chefs in open and display kitchens In an open or display kitchen, chefs are on show for the whole service, and that is where the Cardiff Chef Jacket earns its place. The stand-up collar and hidden closure keep a clean, tailored line, and the hemp blend sits naturally against timber, stone and other raw finishes. Paired with the Huntington Bib Apron, it covers prep and plating without breaking the look. Front of house and floor staff The Pismo Camp Shirt gives waiters, sommeliers and hosts a uniform that looks intentional without restricting movement, with a Classic Fit that moves freely between tables. Add the Huntington Half Bistro Apron and there is pocket space for the essentials without covering the shirt. Baristas and bartenders Behind the coffee machine or the bar, spills come with the job, so the Huntington Bib Apron over a Pismo Camp Shirt is the perfect combination. Staff get proper protection while keeping the relaxed look of the floor team, and the slanted hip pockets sit at a natural angle for tampers, cloths and bottle openers. Venue Types The Coastal Collection feels most at home in venues whose design leans on natural materials and light, open spaces. Strong candidates include: Beachside and waterfront restaurants and kiosks Wine bars, cellar doors and winery restaurants Boutique hotels, resorts and day spas with food and beverage outlets All-day cafés and brunch venues Rooftop and terrace bars Event caterers working outdoor weddings and long-table dinners How to uniform a team with the Coastal Collection Because every piece shares one fabric and one palette, the Coastal Collection takes the guesswork out of matching a kitchen jacket to a floor shirt from two separate ranges. The real decision is how much contrast a venue wants between its roles. One colourway across the venue Dressing the whole team in a single colour creates the most cohesive look, and it works particularly well in smaller venues where the kitchen and floor share one open room. Oat warms up neutral interiors, while Sage picks up timber, greenery and garden settings, and Breeze suits waterfront venues and pale, light-filled spaces. A colour for each role In larger venues, assigning a colour to each team, such as Sage for the kitchen, Oat for the floor and Breeze for the bar, helps guests tell a server from a bartender at a glance while the uniform still reads as one family. Recommended pairings by role Role Top Apron Head chef, sous chef, chef de partie Cardiff Chef Jacket Huntington Bib Apron Waiter, host, sommelier Pismo Camp Shirt Huntington Half Bistro Apron Bartender, barista Pismo Camp Shirt Huntington Bib Apron Venue manager Pismo Camp Shirt None, or Half Bistro Apron during service To finish the look, neutral trousers in tan, stone or charcoal sit comfortably against all three colourways. Chef Works also offers personalisation, so a venue logo can tie the uniform back to the brand. For larger fit-outs or groups running several venues, the Chef Works Uniform Solutions team can help plan quantities, sizing and roll-out across every site. Frequently Asked Questions What is the Chef Works Coastal Collection made of? The Chef Works Coastal Collection is made from a blend of 55% hemp and 45% TENCEL™. The same fabric is used across the Cardiff Chef Jacket, Huntington Bib Apron and Half Bistro Apron and Pismo Camp Shirt. What products are in the Coastal Collection? The Coastal Collection includes six products: the Cardiff Men’s Chef Jacket, Cardiff Women’s Chef Jacket, Huntington Bib Apron, Huntington Half Bistro Apron, Pismo Men’s Camp Shirt and Pismo Women’s Camp Shirt. What colours does the Coastal Collection come in? Every Coastal product is available in three colourways: Breeze, Oat and Sage. Is hemp a good fabric for chef uniforms? Hemp is a strong, sustainable natural fibre that is biodegradable, resists wear and tear and is naturally antimicrobial, which helps reduce odour-causing bacteria. Blended with TENCEL™ in the Coastal Collection, it produces a breathable, linen-like fabric suited to hospitality uniforms. What is TENCEL™? TENCEL™ is a branded fibre made by Austrian company Lenzing from wood-based cellulose. Lenzing designs its regenerated cellulosic fibres to give knitted and woven garments a natural softness without compromising on responsible sourcing and production. The TENCEL™ Lyocell fibres are produced in a closed-loop process that recovers more than 99.8% of the solvent, using wood from FSC® or PEFC certified or controlled sources. Can front of house and kitchen staff wear the same Coastal colourway? Yes. All six Coastal products share the same fabric and colourways, so a venue can dress chefs in the Cardiff Chef Jacket and floor staff in the Pismo Camp Shirt in one matching colour.
