Hedley & Bennett Review : Outfitting Chefs and Home Cooks with Confidence

About Hedley & Bennett

Hedley & Bennett is a brand specializing in culinary apparel, offering a range of products from chef jackets and kitchen aprons to socks and accessories like knife bags and totes. The company provides high-quality handcrafted items, delivering chef’s gear at competitive industry prices for restaurant businesses, with customization options available.

The brand’s products have been donned by celebrities such as John Legend and have received reviews from home and lifestyle icon Martha Stewart. This Hedley & Bennett review aims to assist readers in making an informed choice when shopping on their website.

Overview of Hedley & Bennett

Most kitchen attire is not typically considered fashionable. How can one maintain a classy appearance with stains, burns, and smudges while cooking hamburgers or baking bread? Additionally, the average kitchen apron or work shirt is often made from stiff, unbreathable materials and lacks visual appeal. Fortunately, Ellen Bennett, the founder of Hedley & Bennett, recognized that functional culinary apparel can be both stylish and comfortable.

Bennett gained experience as a line cook at two renowned restaurants in Los Angeles. She envisioned transforming ordinary kitchen apparel into something more fashionable. This inspiration led her to design her own pieces, ultimately resulting in the establishment of Hedley & Bennett. Founded in sunny California, Bennett’s designs have since gained international recognition.

It turns out you can look great while grilling smoked meat and feel adorable when icing macarons. I was captivated by the variety of patterns and prints available in Hedley & Bennett aprons, which range from beautiful florals to camo designs featuring guns. However, these items should not be viewed as impulsive purchases, as some products can retail for over $100.

While aprons and chef jackets are the primary focus of their sales, this culinary brand also provides knife bags, kid-sized kitchen apparel, face masks, tote bags, and even socks. This Hedley & Bennett review will mainly concentrate on their aprons, chef coats, and knife bags.

For a brief overview of this Hedley & Bennett review, here are some advantages and disadvantages:

Advantages

A wide selection of chef jackets and aprons available in various colors and styles.
Products can be returned, and repairs are offered within 30 days of the order date.
Provides Klarna Pay, enabling customers to make payments in installments.
Offers industry pricing tailored for restaurant businesses.
Most garments are crafted from breathable yet durable fabrics, stitched for longevity.

Disadvantages

Higher prices compared to other culinary retailers.
Negative feedback regarding customer service.

The company provides unisex items ranging from aprons to chef gear and face masks. Their clothing is made from American canvas, Japanese selvage denim, and European linens. Their aprons are organized into collections, including classic, modern, and BBQ & grilling. For work shirts, the options vary by sleeve cut and material used in their construction. This Hedley & Bennett review will cover all of this in detail below.

Hedley & Bennett Aprons

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The Cider House Classic Apron, crafted from a warm-toned caramel fabric, is an excellent choice for restaurants aiming to create an earthy ambiance. This apron is constructed from bull denim, ensuring utility and durability in demanding work settings. It features milk white adjustable straps, pocket lining details, and brass hardware. Like all Hedley & Bennett aprons, it includes three pockets located on the sides and chest.

The Cider House Classic Apron is available for $85 and comes in two distinct styles. The Ciderhouse Bistro Apron, priced at $65, does not have a frontal chest covering. The Ciderhouse Cafe Bistro Apron, a shorter variant of the previous model, is offered at $60.

For a vibrant touch in your kitchen, consider the Mint Modern Apron, which showcases a refreshing blue-green mint color paired with slate grey straps for a stylish contrast. Made from American brushed canvas, this model includes pockets, triangle accents, brass hardware, and durable stitching.

This Hedley & Bennett apron is priced at $88 and is also available in a children’s version called the Sweet Pea Kids Apron, which costs $39—allowing you and your little one to enjoy cooking together in the kitchen.

The Alder Modern Apron, featuring a camouflage print with grey strap accents, conveys a message of readiness for the barbecue battlefield. This apron, part of the BBQ and Grilling Collection, is inspired by Alder wood, commonly used for smoking fish and meats. It boasts durability stitching, a fused bottom hem, and resistance to tough stains.

Constructed from lightweight and breathable twill material, the Alder Modern Apron ensures comfort while you work over the grill. It easily washes out charcoal streaks and grease marks, and it resists shrinkage and wrinkles. You can acquire this camo chef look for $85.

Hedley & Bennett Work Shirts

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Let’s face it, the majority of work clothing is neither stylish nor comfortable. Keyword: majority. The Gray Stretch Chambray Short Sleeve Work Shirt strikes a perfect balance between comfort and style. Hedley & Bennett utilizes a stretchy chambray fabric that offers both breathability and flexibility. The cropped sleeves are perfect for staff working in hot kitchens. Additionally, a brass snap is incorporated into the back collar to secure aprons in place.

Who doesn’t appreciate a hidden pocket? The Gray Stretch Chambray Short Sleeve Work Shirt features a concealed loop stitched inside the shirt pocket, designed to hold pens securely. This simple yet elegant piece is available for $75.

Hedley & Bennett Knife Bag

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“I dislike this bag because I wish I had thought of it first,” remarked Food Network’s Alton Brown regarding the Mise 2.0 Black Knife Bag. This is an incredibly functional kitchen tool bag tailored for the most skilled chefs. As an enhancement of their earlier Mise knife bag, Hedley & Bennett collaborated with various bag designers in Los Angeles to redesign it.

The Mise 2.0 showcases a discreet and practical design, crafted from soft American leather. The bag features a zipper-enclosed pouch and military-grade nylon webbing to ensure knives are stored securely. It can accommodate up to six sheathed knives and tools, and can safely hold a knife measuring up to 300 mm in length.

For professional chefs, the significance of keeping knives in top condition is well understood. To help preserve their sharpness, a robust and reliable knife bag is essential for jobs on the move—and the Mise 2.0 Black Knife Bag meets that requirement. This kitchen essential from Hedley & Bennett is priced at $240.

Hedley & Bennett Review: Customer Opinions

Hedley and Bennett boasts an impressive 92% of their Yopto reviews rated at 5 stars, along with an NPS score of 70.

While the reviews featured on the Hedley & Bennett website are overwhelmingly positive, some customers on Yelp and Amazon have reported issues with certain products. On Womply, a few buyers mentioned experiencing shipping delays when ordering aprons. Some orders took longer than expected to arrive, and customers encountered unhelpful customer service.

Regarding reviews for Hedley & Bennett aprons, Amazon customers have noted that the aprons are beautifully crafted and durable. However, a common point of feedback across the products is their high price, with some aprons and chef jackets costing as much as $100.

Is Hedley & Bennett Worth the Investment?

For those who are genuinely passionate about their culinary skills—whether you're a home cook, a chef in training, or a seasoned professional—investing a bit more in high-quality tools can be worthwhile. Items like the Mise 2.0 Black Knife Bag are essential for experienced chefs. The aprons and chef jackets can elevate the standard, often mundane work attire. Hedley & Bennett's designs strike a perfect balance between simplicity and style, as their entire website practically shouts, 'who says you can’t look fantastic in the kitchen?'

However, if you don’t spend much time cooking or are on a tight budget, Hedley & Bennett might not be the right choice for you. Their products are relatively pricey compared to typical kitchen aprons, so unless you have the budget to invest and will benefit significantly from the items, you might find better value elsewhere. Conversely, Hedley & Bennett apparel could make an excellent gift for a culinary enthusiast or if you are serious about entering the restaurant industry.