Why We started Oui

Photo of beautiful downtown Healdsburg by Brett Wharton on Unsplash

Bonjour and welcome!

I’m Kate, pastry chef, proud Healdsburg local, and co-founder of Oui, a new kind of chefwear company. We’re starting small here in Sonoma County, California, a place known for its vineyards, seasonal bounty, and deep-rooted tradition of craftsmanship. If you've ever had a perfect peach or a glass of something unforgettable in Healdsburg, you know what I mean.

We started Oui because the kitchen is changing, and the uniforms haven’t kept up.

For years, I struggled to find chef coats that actually fit me. The so-called "unisex" designs were clearly made for men: boxy, stiff, and unforgiving. I wanted something better. Something that worked with me, not against me, through fourteen-hour shifts and five rounds of service. So we decided to build it.

Oui is chefwear designed for women, by women. But it’s more than a better fit. It's a belief: that comfort and style shouldn’t be luxuries in the kitchen. That uniforms can be tools of equity. That showing up for yourself, and for your team, starts with what you wear.

We’re also deeply committed to sustainability and conscientious craftsmanship. That means sourcing eco-friendly fabrics, supporting domestic manufacturing, and keeping a close eye on every detail. We care about the people behind the product. From the fabric mills to the chefs wearing our coats. Their health, safety, and happiness matter to us.

This is just the beginning. We’re excited to grow Oui into a community that reflects the heart of hospitality: care, creativity, and community.

Thanks for being here. We can’t wait to show you what’s cooking.

- Kate
Co-founder, Oui