Chef - White Toque, White Torso with 8 Buttons and Red Scarf, Black Legs
cty0219 · City
Food / Restaurant · 2011 (Released in Set 3181 Passenger Plane and other City sets)
Figure ID
cty0219
Theme
City
Year Released
2011 (Released in Set 3181 Passenger Plane and other City sets)
Rarity
Common. This figure was widely distributed across multiple Lego City and Bricks and More sets throughout the early 2010s.
Head
Yellow head with black eyes, brown eyebrows, a slight smirk, and a small soul patch/chin chin-strap line.
Torso
White torso with front printing: two vertical rows of four black buttons (8 total), a double-breasted seam, and a tied red scarf. Back is unprinted.
Legs
Plain black legs and hips with no printing.
Accessories
Includes a classic white Chef's Toque (hat). In official sets, he often came with a frying pan, whisk, or pizza paddle.
Color Scheme
A traditional culinary palette of white (coat/hat), black (trousers/buttons), and a bold red accent scarf on a classic yellow skin base.
Printing Details
Standard pad printing from the 2010-era. Clean lines on the torso, though the white plastic can occasionally show light bleed from the red scarf print. Face printing is durable and aligned centrally.
Variants
Several variants of this chef exist; some feature 6 buttons, others have different facial hair or skin tones (Flesh/Medium Nougat for licensed sets like Ratatouille or Friends). This specific configuration features the soul-patch face.
Condition Notes
Look for 'torso cracks' on the sides under the armpits, a common issue for white torsos of this era. The Chef hat can occasionally become yellowed if exposed to UV or dust trapped in the top folds.
Estimated Value
Used: $1.50 - $2.50 USD; New: $3.00 - $4.00 USD. It is a high-volume, low-cost utility figure.
Price (New)
Usually included in sets ranging from $10.00 (Small Accessory Packs) to $99.99 (Passenger Plane). As a standalone part, it was available via Pick-a-Brick for roughly $3.00.
Compatible Sets
3181 Passenger Plane, 4645 Harbor, 4429 Helicopter Rescue, 10218 Pet Shop (modular variation).
Character Background
A versatile 'everyman' chef character within the Lego City universe, often seen running airport galleys, pizza shops, or harbor snack bars.
Design Notes
This torso design refined the classic 1990s chef look by adding a red scarf and more detailed button placement, moving toward the modern 'City' aesthetic.
Similar Minifigures
Chef (cty0022 - older version with 6 buttons), French Chef (Series 8 CMF), and various modular building chefs.
Collectibility
Low as a solo investment, but high for City MOC builders. It is a 'staple' figure rather than a 'grail' figure.
History
The Lego Chef is one of the oldest professions in Lego history, dating back to the Town era. This specific iteration represents the transition to more expressive facial features in the early 2010s.
Interesting Facts
The Soul Patch head used here (3626bpb404) was incredibly versatile, also used for skateboarders, snowboarders, and mechanics during the same era.
Display Suggestions
Best displayed in a kitchen or restaurant MOC, particularly the Parisian Restaurant or downtown diners. Use a dark background to make the white uniform pop.
Modification Potential
Great for 'Purist Customs'. Swap the head for a female character to create a Sous Chef, or add a red cape to the neck for a superhero cook parody.
Overall Assessment
A foundational City minifigure. While not valuable, it is iconic and essential for any Lego urban layout. Rating: 7/10 for utility, 3/10 for rarity.