Christian Rach: Corona measure for gastronomy "is brutal and hard"

Christian Rach thinks the measure to close restaurants is "brutal and tough": "But we probably have no other choice."

Because of the sharp rise in corona numbers, the federal and state governments have again decided on massive restrictions. The gastronomy is particularly affected: restaurants, bars, clubs, discos and pubs have to close, the delivery and collection of food remains allowed. Celebrity chef Christian Rach (63) describes the measure, which will come into force on November 2nd and will initially apply until the end of the month, as "brutal and tough". In an interview with spot on news, he adds that "the majority of companies that have meticulously adhered to the regulations and have also developed their own concepts. But we probably have no other choice".

"The glimmer of hope" for the TV star is the aid from the state: "If 75 percent of the sales from 11/2019 are actually paid out and there is also short-time work allowance, that helps the good restaurants a lot to survive." Still, the industry is hit hard. Rach had "spoken to a lot of colleagues and nobody was there to cheer": "Dismay and massive existential fears, questions about how things should go on, discouragement – everything was there." Despite all the relief measures, "there will undoubtedly be a lot of companies that will not survive this corona pandemic," said Rach.

Christmas will be "different"

What it looks like for restaurants and their customers at Christmas time is still unclear. Rach, who is now publishing his book "Rachs Recipes for Christmas" (GU, from November 5th) with "really private recipes of my mother, especially the Christmas cookies", is not planning the festival yet: "But what will be clear, as it is otherwise has expired, with 15 to 20 people at home with family, friends and neighbors, it definitely won't be this year. " Nevertheless it will be "contemplative and festive and with a delicious meal a different but wonderful Christmas".

What he then cooks "will be decided two weeks before Christmas, in any case always something different, always something new," continues Rach. In addition to various 3-course menus for Christmas, he also presents cookie recipes in the book. "We traditionally start baking cookies in the week before the first Advent," he reveals: "When the first candle on the Advent wreath is lit, Christmas cookies are simply part of it."

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