A chef hat, also known as a toque, is a tall, pleated hat traditionally worn by professional chefs. It is typically made of white fabric and serves both practical and symbolic purposes. The height of the hat can indicate the chef's rank in the kitchen, with taller hats often representing more experience or authority. The design of the chef hat helps to keep hair away from food, maintaining hygiene in the kitchen. Additionally, the pleats can symbolize the number of recipes a chef has mastered, with some believing that a chef should have at least 100 recipes in their repertoire.