About

Chefs on a Break is a street photography project that documents an often-overlooked urban scene: chefs stepping outside for a moment of respite. Whether they're smoking, scrolling through their phones, or simply standing in the fresh air, these moments of pause offer a candid glimpse into the lives of the people who feed us.

The project began in 2014 on the streets of London and has since expanded to capture chefs on their breaks across cities worldwide. What started as a casual observation became an ongoing series of over 250 photographs, each one a quiet portrait of downtime in a high-pressure profession.

There's something universally recognizable about the scene: the checked trousers, the white jacket, the momentary escape from a hot kitchen. Once you start noticing them, you see chefs on a break everywhere.

Alessandra Millar is a London-based photographer with an eye for the everyday moments most people walk past. Her work sits at the intersection of street photography and documentary, finding beauty and narrative in ordinary urban scenes.

Chefs on a Break is her longest-running project, reflecting her fascination with the rituals and rhythms of working life. The series has been featured on social media and has built a dedicated following among food industry professionals and photography enthusiasts alike.