What else?, as the world goes into safety mode to combat this pandemic this week its hit hard. Like many self employed I have been checking news updates on government protocol, this week its seemingly got real!. Thursday afternoon as I happily prepped for a charity function that evening, the type of charity fundraiser that you feel a better person for cooking, the call came down that the main speaker couldn’t/ hadn’t flown in from New Zealand due to safety concerns. 180 people were expecting a Q&A with two world class sport coaches, now it was down to one. This wont be a rant about what people should and shouldn’t do regarding the medical advice, god knows there is enough people giving you that, its a personal decision and not my business. 3 hours before the food was meant to be served the function was cancelled, the office staff were called to a meeting to watch the COBRA committee developments. So after damage limitation on the food and ingredients, I tidied down. As I was wiping down the BFG came down for a chat of the inevitable, from next week the venue would be in coronavirus protocol. UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE ALL CASUAL STAFF WHERE TO BE CANCELLED.
So I finished the wipe down and walked back through the car park trying to figure a solution, feeling down and 4 hours !! early.As bad as that hit was, its been worse for other people. So as I drove in for the final shift at the venue the next morning, for the foreseeable, I thought of what I have in my life and how lucky I am. Having a few quid to the side ear marked for the van re spray which has given me a small buffer but that is a major delay to the van if I use it. Priorites though become very apparent at this time, pay the bills to keep a roof over our heads and keep the family nourished. This is why I am grateful, I can do that for a bit some people HAVE to live payday to payday they are the ones getting truly fucked. If this is 2 weeks of caution then people are hit but surely banks/ companies/ creditors will give some leeway. After two weeks this is going to start to ruin people, the longer it goes on the less people will spend!! If areas go in to lockdown restaurants have no income, if the schools shut people have to lose hours to look after their children, not forgetting most peoples source of childcare is elderly relatives who will not be available as they will be isolated as they are high risk. Isolating the elderly is a hammer blow as its that generation that have money and the time to give cafes and restaurants.
So here we are, all waiting, guessing and unknowing. The question now is WHAT TO DO NEXT?, well we need to try to find some positives in this situation. Its made me see I allowed myself to become comfortable and rely on one venue when it came to chef services. Now in all balance I could work for 2 venues who both cancelled me but I became very comfortable and that isn’t good for the skill set or keeping the mind sharp. This time I can use to update the cv and get it out to a few places, have some conversations and try to secure a bit more work for this summer. Time to HUSTLE!!. Chef services ✅
Next take the time to look at request sites to pitch for work on corporate events, buffets and any other functions I could cater, send letters of interest to clubs, venues and stadium in order to make contact and look to start conversations about future casual work. Although this isn’t immediate work it could become future work, it can go in the diary and lead to a profitable summer. Catering and buffet services ✅
As Dr Suess said, “the more you read, the more you know…. the more you know the more places you will go.” With that in mind I’m going to read more if I am off, more on nutrition, finance and business. Normally its early morning or late night so to get an extra hour or two in when I am wide awake should be very beneficial. In the last year I think I read more books than in the decade previous and its developed a business and completely new direction from the company man. self development ✅
The van is the one that gets hurt in all of this, the first response most have to me is, “well at least you can spent time on the van”, unfortunately what I have left are jobs that cost! At this moment with unpredictability as it is, it would be remiss of me to ignore it and risk a mortgage payment. Does that mean it doesn’t go forward? FUCK NO!!! this is the time to cook, to develop and refine dishes, I can get options developed that can stand me for the next year. I can pitch for later events. Van development ✅
On a side note watching all the street trader groups chatting about cancellations, possible lost deposits and fear of income is heart breaking. If you have a vendor near you go get your lunch with them, it pays for to put a roof over their head, pays for their kids shoes and shit that really matters. McDonalds will survive losing money, these guys wont. Now more than ever we need humanity and love. That few quid makes a difference and its not like you don’t get something for it, probably something tastier to boot. And for all of you who frequent an independent restaurant, GO AND BUY A GIFT CARD!!, it will give them much needed revenue at the moment and will get them through a shit time. These people are victims of something far bigger than they can control. That gives them income and in the future you get a beautiful meal. WIN fucking WIN.
We cant control what’s going on, the panic, the hysteria, the safety measures. As much as we would like to do more, ease the frustration we just have to take these hits. BUT WE KEEP GETTING UP NO MATTER WHAT!, is it going to be devastating to the world of hospitality I love so dearly.? Its going to get rough but if we use any time off to recover, better ourselves and think outside the box we can get something good to come out of an awful situation.
I promise you this; Coronavirus will never destroy the food industry, we will always win in the end. Covid-19/ Coronavirus the new word that brings fear and disease, well I think you’re a Cunt.
For the next two weeks we can be negative or we can have a cup of positivitea, so may you pick the option of self development. Failing that I’ve got a cupboard full of booze to get me through it.
Happy eating
FOOD ANARCHY 