From table to kitchen. Defined by craft.
Rooted in hospitality
Before Le Nouveau Chef focused on chefswear, our founder Robert introduced a new style of table linen to the restaurant world, under the name Le Nouveau Table. His deep-rooted love for gastronomy, combined with his knowledge, passion, and sensitivity for selecting the right fabrics, lies at the very heart of Le Nouveau Chef.
Chefswear, for us, was never just functional. It was, and remains, an expression of taste.
At a time when kitchen clothing was seen purely as functional workwear, we believed it could be much more. For us, what a chef wears is never separate from what is served on the plate. Style, craftsmanship and presentation belonged together.
In 1991, this philosophy was presented during an international fashion show at Castle Groeneveld in Baarn, organised in collaboration with the Benelux Linen Bureau. Robert introduced a linen collection under the idea of couture for the chef, by the chef. During the same presentation, renowned Dutch Couturier Frans Molenaar showcased his work, placing chefwear within a broader fashion context.
We believed chef clothing should never stand alone. Together with cuisine and table presentation, it tells a complete story, one of style, refinement and quiet luxury. A visual language that elevates the kitchen and mirrors the quality on the plate.
Archive Chef Jackets
1991
Chef Jacket Asymmetrisch
The Asymmetric design was created in 1991 as a presentation chef jacket, exclusively for the chef-owners of Les Patrons Cuisiniers. By reversing the front and back panels, the chef jacket allowed chefs to present themselves confidently, bringing a subtle nod to the classic blazer. Not long after, a custom-made couture version of the chef jacket was designed especially for Maartje Boudeling, the only female member at the time. Her design reached just over the knee and was worn during her invitation to an exclusive gathering of three-star chefs in France.
1992
Chef Jacket Bonaparte
The Bonaparte model, introduced in 1992, was a subtle nod to Napoleon, both in name and attitude. At the time, chef jackets were typically made from solid fabrics. Bonaparte broke with that tradition. It was the first chef jacket we designed using a satin stripe, giving it a more refined and distinctive look. It quickly became the most copied chef jacket design in the industry. Originally developed for chefs who found it uncomfortable to pull a chef jacket over their head like Chef Jacket Napoleon, so Bonaparte featured a full-button front for ease and speed. Several chefs had voiced concerns, what if your chef jacket caught fire? A pull-over design would slow you down. That insight led to the next step.
1992
Chef Jacket Caesar
The Caesar Chef Jacket was originally created with master chefs in mind, designed to carry a sense of grandeur. It followed the release of the iconic Asymmetric model and was made from a 50/50 poly-cotton blend. First introduced during the Master Chef competition in 1993, it gained public attention when Cas Spijkers wore it on national television in 1994. In 2000, the Caesar Chef Jacket was presented at the WACS Congress in Maastricht. Hundreds of international master chefs, each with different sizing standards, received a personalised version embroidered with their name. To their surprise, every chef jacket fit perfectly. This model demonstrated our commitment to precision fit and timeless design, even across borders.
1993
Chef Jacket Le Patron
In 1993, we introduced a new fabric through our Chef jacket Le Patron, designed with a classic yet modern silhouette. This fabric helped us secure an important order from the Meilleur Ouvrier de France, a proud moment that highlighted how detail and textile innovation can open doors across borders. Around the same time, Le Patron was photographed on the beach, worn by Jonnie Boer. This version was made from a cotton weave with a ceramic finish, a fabric we developed specifically to allow washing at lower temperatures, without compromising on durability or appearance.
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