Britain’s top chefs and hoteliers demand representation in Parliament
After a terrible year in hospitality, the likes of Tom Kerridge, Angela Hartnett and Robin Hutson are calling for a Minister for Hospitality
11 January 2021 • 1:13pm
Robin Hutson, owner of The Pig hotels, is one of the founders of the Seat At The Table campaign
Remember the sight of that three-household turkey thawing pitifully on the draining board? Followed a few days later by the stench of those mouldy unused sprouts? Christmas was on. Christmas was off. Food wasted, tears shed, hopes of a yuletide respite dashed.
Recall the grief and upheaval in your own house, and then spare a thought for an industry already on the brink of collapse. “It feels like hospitality has been an afterthought throughout the pandemic,” says Sebby Holmes, head chef of Farang – a Michelin Bib Gourmand-awarded Thai restaurant in North London.
We will lose £400k : The cost of Tier 3 for the hospitality sector
As the hospitality sector begins to count the cost of the latest Tier 3 lockdown, we spoke to one industry figure who says his company will lose £400,000.
Stuart Procter, COO of Mayfair hotel and restaurant The Stafford, said the latest blow has left his company reeling in a year he’s already had to make 300 redundancies.
“I’m furious. Devastated. I can’t quite believe how this has been handled. You can’t give 48 hours notice for a decision this big, one that will affect this many people. This is people’s lives and livelihoods – at The Stafford and Norma alone we’ll lose £400,000.”