Crisis homemade – Styrian star chef settles accounts with the gastro scene

The Styrian star chef Johann Lafer makes it clear that the gastronomy is to blame for the current misery: “Employees were overwhelmed and poorly paid,” he says in the “Steirerkrone” interview.

“Steirerkrone”: Mr. Lafer, you gave an interview in Germany for which there was a lot of approval, but also severe scolding. What was the tenor?Johann Lafer: I don’t like to be seen as the bad guy – but I just told the truth, as I see the situation in the catering industry. Which would be there? Of course it’s clear that you can’t lump everyone together I can’t either. But the employees in the catering industry have simply been overwhelmed for far too long. And paid too little for this excessive demand. And the tone of conversation in many a kitchen – that was just not a reputation for the whole job profile. Then came Corona …… and many noticed that there is also a life in which you don’t do so much in other sectors has to work and still manages somehow. You were born in Styria and have been living and working in Germany for many years. Is the staff shortage there just as blatant? Yes, it’s really bad. An example: next year, together with Michael Käfer, I will organize the culinary art for the world-famous CHIO equestrian event in Aachen. This requires 55 cooks and 250 service employees. Our most pressing problem this time is not what menus we offer, that’s not a problem. Our biggest challenge will be getting the staff. You yourself have never regretted your decision to work in the catering industry and have undoubtedly had a top career. But can you recommend the job to boys?Yes! Not every influencer has to be. Cook and waiter are among the few jobs that open the gates to the world. But with whom you can also make a career at home. Simply a great job. What can you do to make the gastro job profile more attractive again? Image campaigns. And with actual offers that many innkeepers already have. Attractive pay, short working week, company benefits. No matter what you do, in the catering industry there is always the problem that you have to work while others are free. Just like many others! From nursing professions to police officers to taxi drivers. You are a service provider. And that can be a really nice job. How will the catering industry develop in the future? I think at the end of the day, coffee houses will be left over because they don’t have such high expenses for groceries. In addition, the system gastronomy. And top establishments that you don’t go to because you’re hungry, but are looking for a special gastronomic experience for special occasions.
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