Yes, a preference, and also...

... when you touch the middle or the ends of long hair, you are touching HAIR

... when you touch the middle or even the ends of short hair, you are touching the HEAD. Almost as if petting a cat.

So he touched your hair - he did not pet you as if you were a cat!

For me at least - I have a Maine Coon with the hair of Lady Godiva - when I touch her head, I actually touch HER, but when I touch her mane, I do not get through to HER. He was touching or appreciating your mane - he was not making contact with your head which would have been way too intimate for the occasion.

So I would settle for "he is mesmerized by your hair" idea for right now, and update it as things move along (if they do).

Plus, to work in a food prep establishment, you have to obey a very strict dress code dictated by various safety considerations. So he could not have seen your long hair loose at work. At Buffalo Wings, he probably saw your long hair for the first time. Maybe he was... super happy?..

I know a lot of cooks so I am familiar with the chef's dress code. I do not know any bakers personally, but assume that similar standards apply.