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Seven silver linings from Victoria s lockdowns: How chefs and restaurateurs made the pandemic work for them Dani Valent Photo: Eddie Jim It was the year that pushed the state s restaurants, cafes, bars and pubs to the brink. But bright spots have emerged that may change dining forever. A year ago, a few weeks into our national COVID-19 lockdown, Victorian hospitality operators were already hoping to use pandemic-enforced disruption as an opportunity to create permanent, positive adjustments to an industry that has been notoriously tough on bodies, minds and balance sheets. A year and a couple more lockdowns later, the state is open, eating and – in some pockets at least – thriving. ....
Advertisement Hospitality workers are being offered sign-on bonuses of up to $1000 in a battle between pubs and restaurants to secure staff amid a labour shortage that may drive up wages and food and drink prices. The competition is particularly hot in Victoria where venues are reopening after months of lockdown to find a workforce raided by other states and absent of backpackers and skilled visa holders, who were told early in the pandemic to return home and denied access to JobSeeker or JobKeeper payments. Victorian president of the Australian Hotels Association, David Canny, said the shortage extended from unskilled roles such as dishwashers through to head chefs, and it meant some venues were unable to reopen or were closing for days just to give overworked staff a break. ....