We all know that aprons keep kitchen workers protected from splashes and spills. And while they are part of the essential attire for chefs and other kitchen staff, more and more cafe owners today like to make them part of their waiters’ uniform as well.
While this might sound strange at first, the truth is that aprons are a really good idea since waiters are dealing with food and beverages just like chefs (aside from taking orders of course). So, how can a waiter benefit from wearing an apron?
Aprons Protect Waiters from Burns
Whether we like it or not, accidents can happen, especially when carrying trays full of drinks and food. Since they always have their hands full, accidental spills and trips are not uncommon among waiters, and unfortunately, sometimes this could cause injuries, especially when serving hot drinks, soups and food in general. The easiest and fastest way to prevent this is by wearing an apron.
When accidents happen, quality aprons can act as a shield that protects waiters from getting burns on their bodies. That said, the chosen aprons should be made of quality fabrics that can provide them with the needed protection such as canvas, denim, leather and heavy-duty cotton.
Aprons Are Crucial for Ensuring a Professional Look
Even though you may think of them as just an ordinary part when building a uniform for cafe, aprons are important for getting a professional look. When one enters a cafe, they can easily identify who the waiters are just by having a quick glance at their aprons. And if the aprons are part of a well put together uniform for cafe, the guests get the impression that the business cares about appearance.
And in the end, the first impression matters, so by being well dressed, waiters can convey a message of professionalism and style. In turn, café owners can benefit a lot from this since their customers will see these places as serious and worth visiting. This, on the other hand, can positively impact the current income and the overall ROI (return of investment).
Aprons Can Keep Dishcloths at Hand
Sometimes when in a hurry, waiters can use their apron to wipe their hands after washing them. Now, since this is obviously bad for sanitary reasons, make sure that the aprons you choose come with a handy pocket so your employees can keep a smaller dishcloth and clean their hands in case of an emergency. That way, both their uniform and their hands will stay clean all the time. And of course, this is cleanliness is paramount in the hospitality industry.
Aprons Can Protect the Waiters’ Clothes
Just like protecting the body from burns, quality and thick aprons can also protect the waiters’ clothes. For instance, if the waiters’ uniform only consists of an apron and the clothes underneath it aren’t provided by the owner, a good apron could save them a lot of money. By wearing an apron, waiters can reduce the chance of their clothes getting stained or ripped from a sharp object which will reduce the need of spending money on new clothes.
Aprons Can Unify the Employees
If everyone has the same dress code, employees can feel equal and part of a whole. As a result, nobody will compare themselves to their coworkers and feel inferior or superior. And this can positively affect the waiters’ work efficiency, helping them feel better and more motivated at the same time.
To Sum Up
So, what do cafe employees wear besides an apron? Aside from this uniform piece, the usual dress code for most café employees is wearing pants in a solid colour and a shirt. However, the colours and styles will differ from one café to another. Nevertheless, aprons are more important than shirts and pants as everyone working at a cafe can benefit from them as long as they’re comfortable and protective.
So asides from style and look, the aprons need to properly fit each employee which means that a personal approach is needed when buying. Finding the true size can certainly contribute to overall comfort, so giving employees the chance to choose their own size is the right thing to do.
Besides fit, the material the apron is made of is equally important. It has to be soft, comfortable and allow freedom of movement. Generally speaking, canvas, cotton, cotton/denim and cotton/polyester blends are among the most commonly used materials for aprons. That’s because these fabrics have proven to be the most protective, durable and easy to maintain. Plus, these materials can easily be printed and embroidered on, in case the owner wants to have the café’s logo or name on them.
And finally, all of these fabrics come in all sorts of colours, allowing owners to choose one that matches their brand image. They can also pick different apron colours for different job roles.