Recently, I had a notification from Linkedin telling me that’s someone wished to be included in my professional network, nothing new it happens every day. As you process that notification a panel appears that allows you to connect with likeminded professional’s and as being a chef, the algorithm’s set by Linkedin give me a huge selection, hundreds if not thousands of other chefs, and so you begin to connect with those you wish in your network.

I tend to pick professionals who are clearly in the UK,and who I can then share and spread the word about our amazing Union.After picking about 20-30 I suddenly realised the huge lack of Women chefs and and chefs of colour, especially in any form of seniority?

Sure there were a couple but most of the women were in other forms of the sector, Admin, Management HR etc and almost none Black or Asian female chefs?

This really shocked me. Is the algorithm set to my past acceptance or is it geared up to my profile of being a male white chef? both of course would be wrong. Or could it be that Women and Black/Asian chefs don’t use Linkedin or even the reality that those demographic groups are simply not being represented on Social media because of the lack of those groups actually not being in our industry in sufficient numbers.

This is certainly something we really ought to be considered more if indeed our industry is to recover from the pandemic and our employers seek to re-establish their business’s.

Shockingly, almost all of the UK’s Contract Caterers are white male driven. Most of their group Executive Chefs, Development Chefs, Area Executive Chefs and Head Chefs are nearly exclusively white males?

So too the numerous Chefs Associations and Craft oriented bodies that supposedly serve as ambassadors and leaders of our profession, promoting our culinary arts, again, mostly male, white dominated, and what about our college Lecturers, the teachers of our new young chefs, again the argument applies.Even in recruitment and on television the White Male Chef reigns supreme.
 

Is the lack of diversity the reason why we still have so many problems in our industry? Is the fact that it is still white male driven the very reason that recruitment was at an all-time low before January 2020. Almost every employer of every description was finding it increasingly difficult to find the right chefs. Temporary Recruitment constantly relied upon and the situation was becoming so acute that it even began to affect the higher levels of our profession, including Michelin starred establishments.Whilst the” White Male Club” still exists in professional cookery, how can we ever hope to move forward?

So, as we hopefully progress towards the re-opening of our business’s isn’t it time to reflect upon just how diverse we should all be in our approach to recruitment and begin to embrace the fact that diversity can and does bring a whole new set of dynamics to our profession and our business, and that the next time we do recruit then we begin to find those women, and chefs of all ethnic backgrounds that can bring that extra “special ingredient” to our brigades.
 

On the eve of an historical meeting between representatives of the industry and Government officials, it is good for everyone to know just exactly why we need our own Hospitality Minister and just why we seek to get closer access to the corridors of power. Much has been said but we think it is time to set out just what we aim to achieve when we do get our own Ministerial Official.

Ministers work between Government and the elected bodies and representatives of an industry. They consult and formulate and implement plans and legislation on behalf of that industry, liaise with and consult with that industry for the betterment of all involved, to create a better and more functional industry.

They can and do act independently but they also work together with the industry on new plans and the implementation of agreed plans and legislation. They can also advise and help draw up papers to put before government that might need new legislative approval.

The advantages are that government get an insight into the industry and that the industry concerned can get first-hand information and advice on any new or proposed plans moving forward.

The National Chefs Union already has an extensive list of items to put before our new Minister which include.

*The creation of a timetable to oversee the implementation of the Good Work Plan and the approval of budgets to create the policing structure for that legislation as detailed by the Director for Labour Enforcement.

* Discussions on the possible amendments to The Health and Safety at Work Act to create a Maximum Level of Heat and to set in law the requirement for free-flowing fresh air within all UK commercial kitchens.

* Discussions on the possible amendments to the Human Medicines Act to allow UK Commercial kitchens to store Emergency Asthma Kits (similar to schools)

* Discussing on the revision of Food Premises Licensing to include provisions for the above amendments and employee wellbeing.  

Our list is not exhaustive, there is indeed much we wish to discuss with our new Minister and we fully intend to have our “seat at the table” and make sure the Chefs of the UK are not ignored.

Employment abuse is systemic in UK kitchens and we need to hit the ground running and address the many issues that have been building up for so long, including the age-old practice of Chefs and their kitchens coming last on the priorities of new business who think they can make a fortune on the backs of their chefs without consideration and due attention to the law and their representatives.

In the future no Pub, Hotel, Restaurant, or food premises should ever be allowed to open until the requirements and provisions of Laws attaining to the safety and wellbeing of employees are met first.

The future of catering is here and with us right now and for long we have been last in the queue…now we will be first. Make no mistake, we fully intend to have our voices heard.

UK’s top chefs urge government to appoint Minister for the Hospitality Industry and demands rightful representation in light of recent struggles.

PRESS RELEASE (9 October 2020):

Claire Bosi, Editor of leading hospitality publication Chef & Restaurant Magazine, brings together some of the nation’s best chefs and hospitality representatives in a petition urging the UK government to impose a Minister for Hospitality. The group, which includes world renowned chefs including Marcus Wareing, Angela Hartnett, Asma Khan and Tom Kerridge (additional names below), is calling for the appointment of a Minister for Hospitality to the UK government to ensure the representation of the interests of one of the country’s leading industries in Parliament. Responsible for around 3m jobs, generating £130bn in activity and contributing £38bn in taxation annually, the sector has been impacted heavily by Covid19 and the Government’s thoughtless policy and communication surrounding the pandemic.

The group argues that, having a representative voice in Parliament, as the Arts and Sports sectors do, would have been beneficial during what has been an exceptionally trying 6 months for the sector. Lockdown and the government’s contradictory communication around it was the start of many difficulties for the industry, with the introduction of a curfew across the country the latest. With no representation in Parliament, the government was ill-equipped to assess the potential damages of its policy, or the ways in which these might have been mitigated.

Commenting on the petition, Claire Bosi said:

“2020 has been detrimental for our entire sector. Policy has been made and unmade without consulting those that are impacted most. Our country is renowned for having a hospitality sector that is synonymous with excellence, innovation, and inspiration. As such a vital part of both the country’s economy and reputation, it seems fair that we, like other sectors, are given a representative voice in Parliament.

We need a Minister who can listen to concerns on taxation and legislation and bring forward our suggestions to policy makers on our behalf. This is about efforts to secure our industry’s success in the future".

Among the expansive group of industry figures supporting the petition are:

- Kate Nicholls, CEO of UK Hospitality
- Angela Hartnett, Chef Restaurateur behind Michelin-starred Murano, and the Café Murano group (London)
- Marcus Wareing, World-renowned British chef behind Michelin-starred Marcus at The Berkeley Hotel (London)
- Asma Khan, Chef and Owner of Darjeeling Express (London)
- Mark Birchall, Lancashire-born chef behind two Michelin-starred Moor Hall Restaurant with Rooms (West-Lancashire)
- Tom Kerridge, British chef behind two Michelin-starred The Hand and Flowers (Marlow, Buckinghamshire) amongst other restaurants in London and across the UK
- Andi Oliver - Founder of pop-up brand Andi’s Wadadli Kitchen, television & radio broadcaster & food writer
- Michel Roux Junior and Alain Roux, Chairmen of prestigious world-renowned culinary competition, The Roux Scholarship, and sons of key culinary figures Michel and Albert Roux
- Clare Smyth, Chef Owner of two Michelin-starred Core by Clare Smyth (London)
- Mike Reid, Culinary Director for M and Gaucho Restaurants
- Paul Ainsworth, Cornwall champion behind Michelin-starred Paul Ainsworth at No.6, as well as other hospitality businesses in the region
- Neil Borthwick, Head Chef at The French House, Soho (London)
- Zoe Adjonyoh, Chef-writer, founder of Black Book and Zoe’s Ghana Kitchen (London)
- Richard Corrigan, Irish Restaurateur, and owner of The Corrigan Collection (London)
- Atul Kochhar, Chef and Entrepreneur
- Thomasina Miers and Mark Selby, Wahaca Co-founders
- Tommy Banks, Chef Owner of The Black Swan Oldstead and Roots, York (North Yorkshire)
- Andrew Wong, Chef Owner of Michelin-starred A.Wong (London)
- Sally Abe, Head Chef at Michelin-starred The Harwood Arms (London)
- Patrick Powel, Executive Chef at Allegra (London)
- Dom Fernando, Owner of Paradise (Soho)
- Anna Haugh, Chef Patron of Myrtle (London)
- Sam Buckley, Chef Patron of Where The Light Gets In (Stockport)
- Allan Gage, Owner of Sweet & Chilli and Nine Lives Bar (London)
- Lisa Goodwin-Allen, Executive Head Chef of Northcote (Lancashire)
- Brad Carter, Chef Patron of Michelin-starred Carters of Moseley (Birmingham)
- Rik Campbell and Will Bowlby, co-founders behind London-based modern Indian restaurant group, Kricket
- Mark and Alan Wogan, co-founders of London-based pizza group, Homeslice
- Chantelle Nicholson, Chef Patron of Tredwells (London)
- Gary Hunter, Deputy Executive Principal at leading hospitality school Westminster Kingsway College (London)
- Galton Blackiston, Owner and Michelin-starred chef of Morston Hall country house and hotel (Norfolk)
- Ben Murphy, Head Chef of Launceston Place (London)
- Glynn Purnell, Chef Owner of Michelin-starred Purnell’s (Birmingham)
- David Moore, Owner of Michelin-starred Pied à Terre, Charlotte Street (London)
- Kenny Atkinson, Chef Patron of Michelin-starred House of Tides (Newcastle)
- Frances Cottrell-Duffield, Tonic Communications, Managing Director
- Will Murray, Jack Croft and James Robson, co-founders of recent London opening Fallow on Mayfair’s Heddon St (London)
- Gordon Ker, Founder of Blacklock Restaurants (London)
- Michael Wignall, Chef Patron of The Angel at Hetton (Yorkshire)
- James Waltera, Owner of Arabica (London)
- Gavin Adair, CEO of Rosa's Thai Cafe (London)
- John Devitt, Owner of Koya (London)
- Amy Poon, Owner of Poon's London
- Tanith West, Bone Daddies, Marketing Manager
- Aurelien Mouren, Operations Director for Gold Notting Hill (London)
- Simo, Executive Director at Milroy’s (London)
- Michelle and Matin Miah, Co-Owners of Rudie’s Jerk Shack (London)

#Minister4Hospitality

The current online petition for the Hospitality Industry to have its own Government Minister is growing by the day.

There has been much astonishment that such an important thing has never been suggested before, such is the enormous success and importance the industry plays in the lives of Britain that we have been simply too busy in the past to ever have thought it necessary.

Pandemics, however, change everything, and the devastating impact the restrictions have had on our industry will be felt for many years to come.

Never has there been a more crucial time in Hospitality for it to have representation and its own voice in the corridors of Government and our appeal is now being heard by many politicians across the political spectrum, and a view strongly help by North West Durham MP Richard Holden who has joined with The National Chefs Union to help push forward this unique proposal.

As a struggling student Richard worked as a waiter and knows the industry well and supports wholeheartedly Unichefs stance for not only better working conditions but a say in the future of our industry. He knows also that we need our own Minister if we are to successfully implement the Governments "flagship" legislation, The Good Work Plan.

Truly, our industry has changed, but we now have the chance to move forward and make it better for those who still love working in it.

It is in everyone’s interest to sign this petition and see that we now have our very own Hospitality Minister to look after our interests and our future.

http://petition.parliament.uk//assets/os-social/android/icon-192x192-ef97932d4e5a23a1c0758162d7d29c9dc7e27da4b282295a9485a28c235c98a6.png Petition: Create a Minister for Hospitality in the UK Government

PETITION.PARLIAMENT.UK

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The UK hospitality industry. Responsible for around 3m jobs, generating £130bn in activity, resulting in £38bn in taxation. Yet, unlike the Arts or Sports, we do not have a dedicated...

Once again, the vile topic of Sexual Harassment is raising its ugly head.

As if we did not have enough to contend with as chefs, we still hear of disturbing reports and complaints of sexual bullying and even sexual assault.

Sadly, few realise the real harm this can cause and the extreme penalties that are involved for those that perpetrate and those managers and Head Chefs who turn a blind eye to the tribal goings on in their kitchens.

In an industry that has been completely turned on its head with COVID and is now beginning to realise the enormity of the changes in store, isn’t also time that we evaluated the very values and morals that we need in today's modern kitchens.

Unichef has constantly strived for a Zero tolerance of abuse in all kitchens, it is the number one core principal set out in our constitution, but it still continues to be a difficult battle.

The endemic attitude of many male chefs and the lack of strong female and gay chefs who are prepared to make a stand no matter what the cost is at times frustrating and often heart breaking.

Tribal kitchens still thrive and feral chefs who still exhume vile and hurtful statements, behaving as jungle animals looking for their next victim, caring not that they could well be on the way to prosecution, dismissal and the prospect of never being employed in any food establishment ever again are sadly still present in our profession.

The things they say, their actions and demeanour are often unbelievable. The common thread being that somehow the kitchen is “their kitchen“ and the rules do not apply to them. It's their domain, their “tribe, and their gang and what goes on in the kitchen “stays in the kitchen”.

This outdated and pathetic attitude has no place in modern cookery, no place in the 21^st century and no place in our Union. The days of kitchens being dominated by males who run kitchens as their very own playground must end and we know at Unichef that litigation is the only answer.

Chefs who won’t listen and can’t understand that Sexual Harassment is fundamentally wrong will be dragged to Tribunals and forced to answer for their vile actions. Together with the huge pay-outs that have been awarded may well start to have an effect and hopefully encourage others to come forward and make that stand.

“Walking Out” of the job is treated as so normal for chefs that we barely even think about it, but in reality it is a very rare thing in other professions, yet the current economic crisis has led now into thinking that “walking out” over what is usually a simple matter maybe not such a good idea,or even acceptable in a modern working kitchen?

Doctors don’t walk out, neither do Firemen or Nurses, Bricklayers or Plumbers and when did you ever hear of a Gardener walking out because things weren’t right for him, its all VERY strange for sure.

Yet even I must put my hand up, being notorious for doing so in my younger days.

But what gives us the right to do so? Why should we be one of the very few (if  only) working trades in which to treat our Employers and colleagues in such a way. Are we REALLY that good that if things are not right for us, we simply down tools and walk, often in the middle of a shift or working day?

So why do we do it. Often its seems that it may be a matter of “professional pride”. Very often its the intense pressure, the heat and the self-drive in chefs seeking perfection that is often the cause of walk outs. Sometimes it is a standards issue, where the establishment does not match up to the chef’s ideals and the high standards we set ourselves, or sometimes it may be a personality issue between chefs, the closeness of working in such a confined space.

Many of us have faced situations in kitchens where the best is expected of us but the support from those above us is lacking.They ask the inpossible,they want their "drive" to be replicated yet they fail to understand the often poor facilitys we have and the many obsticles and hurdles in our way.

They want us to be "team players" but fail in their leadership and expect the impossible,relying on our "Badge of Honour", our unwriiten code that says we will achive,despite those obsticles.Certainly the quality of modern "management" must be questioned as never before?

Sadly we are often "managed" by people who fail to do just that?.Managers who's only aim in life is their budgets and the endless pursuit of "tick boxing".

However, we must also examine ourselves (me included) at a time where our industry is facing such massive changes and realise that walking out is not the way things should be, and in fact walking out is really very “old school” and we need to start believing in the better way forward, but what exactly is that?

Certainly the “New School” could well be the Government’s flagship review of working practices called The Good Work Plan. This plan encourages Employers to set up and maintain independent “Workforce Forums” where Employees will feel empowered to discuss issues at work that affect them and so that they can be dealt with quickly, resulting in a more inspired and content workforce.To play a part in the business and feel a part of that success.

"New School" is also being part of a union such as Unichef,where support is available from other chefs who have been in those situations and understand the pressures and reasons.Advice and support is at hand as never before.

Five months ago,I too may have quit,five months ago I would have supported chefs who walk out over standards and values,but that was then,and this is now.Our curent economic climate denies us that luxury of being able to walk out of one job and into another,quickly and with confidence.Five months ago chefs were at a premium,recruitment was difficult,time comsuming and exspensive,COVID has changed all of that.

Covid has returned our industry back to the 80's with chefs now plentiful and willing to accept lower wages and standards,at least for the time being.

Perhaps removing the very need to walk out of the job could well be the answer.As chefs we should all seek to inprove our own working enviroments,make them more safe and secure and work towards a system of value,but in the meanwhile, we all need to think twice before we decide to put ourselves and our families on the dole because we haven't got the right frying pan and continue to seek the alternatives?

 

Agency Working, good or bad?

As we now turn our thoughts towards a new horizon in the Industry, chefs are beginning to contact us for advice on Agency working.

As a Freelance Chef for more than 30 years I am more than suitable to offer you a comprehensive and balanced view of the Recruitment Industry.

Without doubt Agency working has changed substantially over the years, some for the good, some not, but for sure it is now a major employer of chefs in the UK and will be for some time as chefs continue to be  transient in their career.

You will find that almost every chef has their opinions on Agency working, but most of the negative opinions tend to be from chefs who have not worked within the system to appreciate the many benefits that it can bring.

Understanding the way Catering Agencies work is the key to success with them. Discovering the prime objectives of your recruiter and working closely with them can make Agency working a very long term and financially rewarding option. However, you must understand that Agency’s are just like any other employer and if you want high rewards then they will seek equally high standards, as Melika Cheurfi, Managing Director of Adkins and Cheurfi explains…

“For us when We are recruiting new chefs the three main things we look for are experience , reliability and good attitude.

You can be the best chef in the world but if you are unreliable or have a bad attitude clients will request not to have you back. We do ask for references along with proof of right to work ID and industry certificates, a recent health and hygiene certificate is a must.

We like to form great working relationships with our chefs so they feel comfortable coming to us with any qualms or issues they may have”.

Working with your agent is vital, remember they are relying on you to do a great job and its easier for them if they know that that they can place you without any issues. Keeping constantly in touch and letting them know your availability also makes them aware of that you are keen and ready for work.

Multi-tasking is also important, if you have a range of tasks or have a niche speciality then that too can be hugely advantageous.The most successful relief chefs are the ones who can go anywhere and do anything,do the job and come out with the client happy,no fuss no bother.

So, is it all worth it?

Chefs can gain huge experience in a very short space of time, most jobs are paid by the hour and weekly, and many (not all ) accept Self Employed chefs.

In terms of pay, you will likely need to go through a probationary period before you can get top money, the Agent will want to see how you work and how reliable you are before committing to a better wage, but its easy to pick up more as a relief CDP as you can as a Hotel Head Chef and £600-700 weeks are common.

Also now your working rights as a Relief Chef are protected under The Agency Workers Regulations which gives you the same rights as full time employees.

You have total freedom. If you don’t want to work, you don’t have to, you can take time off anytime you want and you can pick and choose the employers and areas of works, so pretty much perfect?

The downsides?

Of course the instability is still the major factor, and often the reason why chefs don’t choose it, and if you’re a Hotel type of chef, seasonal working may see you with periods of little work, but if you’re willing to take the chance or have no family commitments then its ideal.

No shows and walk outs are a big no no. If you have an issue always call your agent and allow them the chance to sort the issue out, but for many this is a great way of working to gain experience and make good money in mostly good conditions.Some great perks too,with free live-in for those who wish to venture further.

For sure the Recruitment Sector has its faults, but by and large most of the Agencies now are much more supportive of chefs and realise that Clients aren’t always perfect too and understand the difficulties Relief Chefs face.

Being a Relief Chef isn’t easy, its not for everyone, there is a great skill to walking into a kitchen and acting as if you’d been there for years, but it can be very rewarding and great fun and well worth thinking about.

If you’ve ever wondered just how someone manages to start a national movement from scratch, then here you are, our entire story, warts and all?

We really kicked off in about 2013, just a few chefs who had been saying for many years that we needed a “Union” for chefs as all of the big Unions were simply not interested in us as a profession and that small kitchens in the middle of nowhere just couldn’t get any sort of representation.

Many of us then were senior, experienced chefs who knew of the injustices and had grown up in a system of abuse but like most chefs took it as just “part of being a chef”.

However, I was different. Over my career, I had worked with many top American Companies whose ethos was one of strong employee value, support, and a sense of team spirit. After being a boss for so long I began to realise that in fact, I was just a small part of a much more important team and that I needed to be a leader.

I was ( and still am ) a very lucky and successful chef, but I realised at an early stage that my success was built on the way that my teams had responded to measures that I had put in place to ensure their pay, contracts, support, well being and work-life balance were all as they wanted them to be.

When Unichef first became popular as a Facebook page in 2015, we took that ethos and put it as our founding principles. Those 5 Core Principals still stand today and were enshrined in our Constitution when in 2018 Unichef, The National Chefs Union officially became a legal organisation in its own right.

I had previously been the sole owner of Unichef but wanted to give something back to the profession and so I gave Unichef to the chefs of Britain so that they could have a true and democratic voice for their profession for all time. Through the years we have crossed many bridges and brought awareness of almost every issue you can imagine to the kitchens of the UK.

Chefs now are very aware of issues such as Mental Health, bullying, sexual harassment, substance abuse. homophobia, racism and much more, and throughout it all we have never wavered or changed our stance from those very early days.

It’s this constant belief in our community that sets us apart from everyone else, our constant ethos of equality, support and fairness for ALL chefs that makes Unichef so very special and unique.

In the beginning, I was told it couldn’t be done, that we couldn’t start a Union without adhering to the present rules that governed Industry. Deep down I knew that we would have to have something new, something completely different. A Union that encompassed employers and well as employees, a Union that cared about the profession more than politics.

I had come from the Era of Nouvelle Cuisine. We had no rules, we had no computers or internet, we made changes as we went along. Chefs had completely reinvented the way we cooked and were now forming the future, a future that respected the past but had developed a new belief, and so I did this with Unichef.

Unichef is a development of that Nouvelle Cuisine. Unichef doesn’t stick by the rules, we make them! In almost everything that we have done, we have had to seek change in present formats and regulations.

Even our very existence needed recognition and change in the way Community Interest Companies we formed. Unichef was the first Community Union EVER in the UK and we needed to pass a “fitness test” set by the Government to get approval.

Top Companies such as Barclays, Paypal, Stripe and Perkbox have all changed their systems and Algorithms to incorporate all that we do, and it took almost 3 years of constant letter writing and lobbying for The Food Standards Agency and MIND to accept us as a Professional Body.

So today,  we stand strong and very proud. We have our own Lawyers, Accountants, Directors and a very loyal and strong team of advisers and professionals to advise and support the work we do, not forgetting our Chef Patrons, Paul Askew, Alan Coxon and Claire Bosi who value and inspire the ethos of Unichef.

So there you have it? So much has gone into Unichef, and there is still so much more to do. We will not stop until all chefs are recognised as equals and all chefs are recognised as skilled professionals.

We are a 21st Century Union, the first of its kind and the blueprint for Unions in the future. A Union that is owned by its members and a Union that puts THEM first before politics and money.

We are unique,  we are united, and we are Unichef, The National Chefs Union, Stay safe chefs, always.
 

With so much discussion about the future of chefs and what may happen if and when we return to work, many of us have forgotten the other side to the story.Its easy to think only of ourselves but what about the employers and in particular pub and Restaurant owners who have sunk their money and much of their lives into their dream.What is to become of their livelihood and what kind of a future do they see?

We talk to Catherine Spence, the owner of a hugely popular and successful Restaurant in North Yorkshire to see how she feels about the future of her dream?

Q. Hi Catherine,good to talk to you.What changes do you think would be good in the future after re-opening?

A. What I think would be a good idea for you to advocate Brian, would be making the general public realise they need to pay more for meals and stop looking for offers , discounts and money off,then independents could pay higher wages

Q. I agree totally, we have been opposed to 2-4-1 offers for many years and have said that there is simply too many bad Restaurants and too many Branded Chains?

A. Exactly, the chains have ruined the industry, with ready made , vacuum packed food and offers.I’m up against this all the time , we have 2 chains near us and customers always complain that we are too slow, they just don’t get we are actually cooking the food and not putting it in a microwave

Q. I believe that we are about to see a transition to the way we used to be where staff and clients were more highly thought of and that service was a skill and a pleasure.Can you see a future for quality establishments?

A.Yes I can and my plan is to up our game , as there will be fewer diners , go for quality rather than quantity will be the way forward for us now.

Q. With so many restrictions to running a Restaurant,do you see the future as a challenge?

A.The system is against us , to be honest,VAT,business rates ( we pay £9000 a month ) Regulations,Health and Safety etc etc

Q. Are you actively planning re-opening or are you waiting to see what instructions the government have in store ?

A. I’m definitely reopening, we own the property, so need to open,but waiting to see the government guidelines  then decide how to move forward

Q. Do you think it is possible to obey the restrictions and still keep your staff and customers safe and maintain the unique and special atmosphere that your famous for?

A. We could maintain the social distancing , but the atmosphere will not be the same , Italian restaurant are usually buzzing, busy and noisy , that will not be the case. It will probably now be a restaurant where people visit as a couple or family. But not in groups or parties for a long time.

Q. Finally Catherine,do you envisage having difficulty recruiting for chefs when you re-open and in the future?

A. No , I think now chefs will not leave their jobs and stay put.
 

Thank you Catherine

Dear Chefs , friends and colleagues

I, like many of you out there, have spent and dedicated a life to the food and hospitality sectors, and as if our jobs as chefs wasn’t challenging enough, we now stir directly into the face of even greater adversity.

As culinary creatives, artists, scientists, blended with a heavy dollop of hard labour and commonly referred to as chefs, we like to share our skills, offer experiences, excitement and make memories for our guests, more often than not, these are performed in challenging stressful working environments, short staffed, working long hours and not forgetting the low levels of compensation!, but we do it all too often because we love it!  

We embrace the service, demands, challenges, excitement and thrills that this industry can offer, whilst also having an eye on even greater opportunities, expansion, projects and goals.

We work in an incredible diverse industry that has the ability to proudly place regions and towns on the British and even global culinary maps, an industry that allows new doors to open in new locations and even countries!. We work within one of the few industries that allows us to cross pollinate our skills in new regions and destinations, meet new people, increase our knowledge, embrace new cultures and culinary diversity in the process.

All of the aforementioned has been pulled from under our feet, our doors closed , our restaurants and kitchens silenced , our lives as we know it cancelled until further notice.

We are however humans and we have an incredible resilience , we do need to make a few adjustments and breath deeper than ever before, but we are also a very large community of special people, thousands of us in the same job, in the same position, with the same frustrations and there is no time like the present to join forces and to help each other when in need.

Together we will all get through this and bounce back with new hope, vigour and determination, we may even appreciate all those things around us a little more of which we once took for granted, we may now understand the fragility of the earth and even those that we share it with!.

We do however need to pull together to help those not covered in the governments furlough scheme, help those that may be looking for new jobs and positions later on or just help break the silence of the day with a friendly e-mail a shared joke or meaningless banter!.

Take advantage of this period of rest and prepare to take to the stage as the performance of our lives is around the corner !.

Stay well , stay safe and look forward to seeing you on the other side.

Alan Coxon

It is already becoming clear after the Covid 19 crisis is over and the Nation returns to work many things in our industry will not be the same.

Thousands of chefs are justifiably angry and bitter at employers lack of compassion and professionalism in dismissing them without any hope of a return.

An Industry that was already suffering a skill shortage will find Chefs are now lorry drivers, supermarket stackers and bin collectors and enjoying a job with better conditions and far less stress.

Their dreams of seeking super-stardom no longer a priority in their lives, if nothing Coronavirus has levelled out our “reality check” about what is and what isn’t important in our lives, and it will be many years ( if ever ) before the chasing of Rosettes dominates chefs thoughts 24/7 again.

For many years I have been demonising the Accreditation's System in British cooking, This constant dogma that art oversees taste has become a disease in our industry and that a dish isn’t truly great unless it’s on an £80 plate and covered in cress or flowers, when in reality it is often just an excuse to justify poor cooking and extortionate pricing.

Whilst there are lots of Chefs still determined about making a comeback and being positive, they will find a public weary of spending and a workforce reluctant to work in an industry that has badly let them down.

It is very clear too that that top Law Firms are now looking at the possibility of mass claims for unfair dismissal, and there is little doubt that many Employers will face action for making people redundant without consultation, the legal period of notice and ignoring the Governments offer of support. That there was justifiable reason for redundancy will be questioned as never before.

Those that believe that we can simply open our doors and everything will be as it was are naive and oblivious to the hardship many have suffered, and those Head Chefs and Restaurateurs who believe that they only have to switch their ovens back on and its “check on” will stop, look around, and find they are the only ones there?

So too,  may the era of the “celebrity chef” be over. This bitterness that top chefs have been able to cocoon themselves in luxury made off the back of their staff whilst so many have faced serious hardship will not be forgotten, the" I’m alright Jacks “ have already been seen as they are, greedy and non-compassionate.

Perhaps then a new era? An era where Chefs have finally realised that there more to life than that extra Rosette or chasing that Michelin Star that they will never get. Perhaps now an era of calm and an era where people can see that cooking is great job, but it is just that…a job?

Yes, when many chefs will be eager to get back to work, there will be many who have been off long enough to evaluate their lives, spend time with their kids, breath fresh air, take exercise and will now be thinking “was it ever all worth it “?
 

Mention allergens to most chefs and they throw their hands into the air, it is still the most talked about discussion in kitchens today. If you then mention Anaphylaxis you are likely to very soon talking to yourself.

Yet is shouldn’t be that way. True it is a subject that frightens many because the very thought that your actions may cause injury or even death can scare many chefs into being unconfident .

Anaphylaxis is the serious reaction that the body has when the Allergen concerned invades the system and the body’s immune defence struggles to cope. Each Allergen has a different effect, and some may be mild but others deadly

However is knowledge is power, and the Anaphylaxis Campaign is an amazing organisation that sets out to give everyone a better understanding of exactly what Anaphylaxis is how as chefs we can begin to work with these allergens and begin to understand the effects they can have on the body.

The website of AC is full of amazing advice and categorises each of the 14 Allergens and give a complete and well written synopsis than anyone can understand so chefs should no longer be afraid, but instead embrace the Allergen system and advice, treat all of their clients with the dignity and respect that they deserve and power forward into a new realm of cooking.

So take a look at AC and you will see the Allergan issue in a completely different light, This incredible organisation is doing so much to educate everyone and Unichef is doing all it can in making chefs understand more to help them in their daily routine.

Check out their fantastic website and begin to learn more about Allergens and the effects they can have.

Anaphylaxis Campaign

WWW.ANAPHYLAXIS.ORG.UK

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We support everyone affected by anaphylaxis and severe allergies, access comprehensive factsheets, join us as a member, access our AllergyWise training

Announcing our new initiative for 2020, the Unichef Food4kids programme. This programme will study how Children in UK schools are currently being fed and how we can bring together experts in all fields to bring about the changes in the overconsumption of Carbohydrates and Sugar.

The programme will involve itself in how school meals are often very poorly designed and constructed, from the menu and recipe design through to costings and searching for cost-effective replacements for many of the favourite "fill up "foods that kids crave for.

Food4kids will work closely with schools and colleges in searching for all the answers to the difficult issues that they face and will seek to educate the Heads of Schools , their Governors and all of the school system into believing that there is a much better way to feed our children in the 21st Century and finally, but most importantly, the kids themselves.

Children need to be fully educated into that what they eat now will affect their health for many years to come. They need to know the addictive qualities that Starch and sugars have on the nutritional system as they grow.

We will use our extensive network of Chefs and suppliers to develop high quality, low carb, low sugar replacements for all the favourites that kids like. We've discovered through the years that replacing pizza with salad, just doesn't work, and we need to find like for like replacements, but with the addictive sugar and starch removed.

Such items DO exist and we need to put pressure on manufacturers , suppliers and Caterers to develop products with severely cut levels of these additives at the same price if not cheaper than products presently used. If kids want pizza then fine, just let us develop pizza and other items that are great tasting, but just as filling and at the price caters can afford...it can be done, and it will be.

Bullying in the workplace

Have you ever wondered why bullying chefs are the way they are? Why some kitchens are so "tribal", why they need to shout, play the big guy or simply just behave as if the whole kitchen revolves around them? Well, now you have all the answers in Wendy M.B Bloisi's fascinating thesis on Bullying and Negative behaviour in Commercial Kitchens.

It’s a very long read but pick out the bones of it and you can always use it the next time you have a Bully in the kitchen that thinks he's Gordon Ramsey.

In layman’s terms, bullying is often down to two basic issues. The bullies lack of self-confidence and low self-esteem of the bully and the poor knowledge and education that they have in how much damage they do when they behave in this way. Also, the Tribal issues that Wendy talks about are often very prevalent in kitchens, the kitchen hierarchical system that often prevails means that chefs of a lower rank age or sex are often bullied or picked upon for little reason, and often its always been that way.

They seldom seem to realise that their very words and actions can often have a profound effect on people. They fail to accept opinions that their actions are not acceptable in modern kitchens, they see it as “banter “or everyday kitchen talk and cannot understand just why people are now saying that this type of behaviour simply must stop.

Chefs who believe that chefs must be tough to survive or that bad behaviour is fine because “that’s the way we were taught” are simply in the dark ages. This behaviour has nothing to with cooking and just because you can act tough doesn’t mean you’re any better as a chef. Mary Berry doesn’t need to act tough or bully anyone and many of the true greats of our craft are equally confident people who use their talents to communicate.

Bullying isn’t just pointless and damaging, it’s also illegal to the point of harassment and punishable by dismissal, fines, or even imprisonment. For sure the days of the bully in kitchens are numbered, as people stand up to this vile action and demand better treatment from work colleagues and employers.

FSA the questions you asked

Earlier this year we asked the FSA a list of questions compiled from Our FB forum, It was quite a debate with some surprising answers and many chefs wanting further advice and info. It also gave us a great insight into how the FSA works and a chance to form a lasting relationship with them. Here are the questions and answers in their entirety.

1. Chopping Boards
Q.Several issues here. We know of a major events company that only issues white Cutting boards at all of its events. The company has its own Hygiene Officer (ex EHO) and each event is visited by a local EHO before and during each event. The boards are used equally for all types of food except raw meat, yet white cutting boards remain an issue for chefs and this has never been explained. Is there any occasion where multi-use of a single coloured board can be acceptable?

A.There is no requirement in the food hygiene regulations for food businesses to have a colour coding system. It is optional in the catering business to avoid cross-contamination between high risk and lower risk food.

It is important that businesses ensure chopping boards are well maintained, cleaned between use and disinfected between tasks with raw and ready-to-eat food to avoid cross-contamination. Ideally, separate boards should be used when handling raw and ready-to-eat food. In Northern Ireland, we have produced a Q and A for frequently asked questions, which covers chopping boards can be used and how to clean them. Here is the link for your information.

We would always advise and encourage food business operators to work closely with their Local Authority - Environmental Health Department (EHD), who will need to be satisfied with food safety procedures in place.

2. Chopping Boards
Q.Which cutting Boards should always be used for cured meats and fish Information above in question 1 applies. Should black pudding be classified as a “cooked or ready to eat product” and therefore be cut on a yellow board?

A.Black pudding has undergone processing, so strictly it is not a ‘raw’ food.

We recommend food businesses (and consumers) check the manufacturer’s instructions on the packaging for advice on storage, freezing, cooking etc. If there are no storage instructions for black pudding regard it as a raw product.

3. Egg Storage 
Q. Is it true that UK eggs are “unwashed” and protected by its own Embryonic membrane and are therefore airtight and do not require refrigeration in professional kitchens, (as in the case of supermarkets)?

A.Eggs should be stored in a cool, dry place, ideally in the fridge, and the storage area should be cleaned regularly. The key safety point is to avoid extreme temperature changes that could lead to condensation on the surface. We would also advise following the manufacturer’s advice on the label/package. UK eggs are unwashed, so any that are too dirty can’t be sold as table eggs, they go off for processing (e.g. liquid egg).

4. Tinned Tuna
Q.Have there been any recent guidelines on the shelf life of opened tinned tuna? Many companies now insist on a 1-day shelf life solely for this product.

A.We would advise following the manufacturer’s advice on the ‘open life’ provided on the labelling/ package of the product. This is because the manufacturers would have carried out their own testing on their food products.

5. Metal scourers
Q.Have Metal scourers been “banned” as some suggest, but are suggested as not being used as part of best practice?

A.We are not aware that metal scourers have been prohibited or that their use is not recommended in best practice. In the food industry, there is no specific reference to the use of metal scourers in food hygiene regulations. The use of scourers is a decision for each individual food business. The food hygiene regulations require all fittings and equipment to be in good order. This includes being repaired and conditioned to minimise any risk of contamination. Therefore, scourers should be properly washed/disinfected after each use. In addition, scourers should be replaced where necessary to minimise any risk of contamination.

6. Fridge Temp checks
Q.Is it statute law that refrigeration checks are written twice daily or is this again part of the Best Practice guidelines?

A.Refrigeration checks are not specifically required by law, but food businesses must hold food at safe temperatures compliant with the law and keep records as necessary. We recommend checking the temperature of chilling equipment at least once a day. We also recommend carrying out opening and closing checks of fridges and freezers at the beginning and at the end of the day. Ultimately the frequency of checks is left to the discretion of each individual catering establishment.

Some equipment will have a digital or display dial to show what temperature it is set at. You can use this to check the temperature of your equipment. If you do this, you should check regularly that the temperature shown on the display/dial is accurate using a fridge thermometer.

Find out more information about chilling food here: 

https://www.food.gov.uk/sites/default/files/chilled-food.pdf

7. Cardboard storage in Fridges
Q.When and where is it acceptable to store cardboard with a refrigerator or freezer. Most companies insist on decantation but
Relent on subjects that are difficult to decant, such as eggs?

A.Some food products are retailed in cardboard packaging and this should be suitable for its intended use, including refrigeration or freezing of the food. This packaging should not contaminate the food or degrade its quality. We would advise following any instructions provided by the manufacturer.

However, food handlers should not place food in cardboard packages if they are not suitable for food use and could contaminate or damage the food. Card or cardboard could stick to a food product if it became wet.

8. Decanting
Q.Many employers have not issued guidelines on decanting and storage of products and many local EHO’s seem to be lax on this matter. Are there guidelines in place for the decanting of dried products such as rice, flour, custard etc?

A.There are no specific requirements for decanting food. However, if food businesses decant food we strongly advise them to keep all the key information either on a label or stored on file. This would include durability markings, allergy information and traceability information such as health marks and batch numbers. This would enable the food business to identify the product if there was a problem, for example, if a recall needed to be actioned.

9. Open Condiments
Q.Can there be acceptable conditions for not refrigerating open condiments and pickles or should they always be refrigerated after opening?

A.We advise consumers to follow manufacturers’ instructions on the product’s ‘open life’ when storing products.

10. Allergens
Q.Are there any plans to extend the current 14 listed Allergens, if so what may that be?

A.We can confirm there are no current plans to extend the 14 listed allergens.

On the “may contain” Allergen issue. We were led to believe that the guidelines issued in 2016 prevented anyone from using this phrase. However, we still get suppliers and products continuing to label some products like this and Chefs are confused. Can you clarify, please?

The phrase “may contain” is still permitted. May contain is only permitted after a thorough risk assessment and where the risk and presence of allergen contamination cannot be reduced to a safe level. The FSA recommends that “may contain” or “not suitable for” should only be used where the risk of harm is real and probable.

If you are using ingredients with a may contain in a recipe, then consider using a “?” in a menu matrix to mark the unintentional presence of the allergen to provide necessary information for the consumer. They can then make their own decision about whether the food is suitable for them based on their own level of sensitivity to the allergen.

Self Employment, the myths and facts

The growth is Self Employed Chefs in recent years shows us that many chefs seek the freedom and independence that this form of employment offers, but what are the myths and facts and is it really a bed of roses?

Having been Self Employed for 35years I’m better qualified than most to explain the good and the bad to anyone thinking of taking the plunge into the unknown.

Firstly, why do it? I guess many chefs like the autonomy that it provides, the lack of corporate responsibility in that you often work alone, and you have little or no Management hassle, no HR meetings and no 10 o’clock meetings, you simply turn up and cook.

What about the bucks’. Well this is often the biggest question, is it really as good as what’s made out?

Certainly huge amounts of money, can be made, you can work all the hours god sends, and the pay rate is very much decided by how good a chef you are, Good chefs are worth their wages and will receive return bookings, agents will always place chefs that prove their worth time and again but will often discard the poor chefs who fail to turn up or can't fulfil the requirements of the hirer.

There are 3 basic forms of SE. You can register as a self Employed Chef with the Revenue and receive your UTR (unique Tax reference)
you will also need to consult with an Accountant, keep all your invoices pay and tax details and return to the Revenue Yearly.

The second is favoured by many Agents and working under an “umbrella company” be an advantage as you have NO paperwork. It is all taken care of by the Umbrella Co. However, this is VERY costly, and your net gains are very poor. They claim that you are to be an LTD company, that is incorrect, you will NOT be a limited company but part of a legal tax scam set up by them to gain control of your Tax allowances. BE warned, you can lose many thousands of pounds using this method.

The third is a registered Limited Company, registered in Company’s House in London. You will receive a Company Number and Certificate of Registration. It sounds daunting and it can be quite complicated, so an accountant is recommended (but not essential, it can be done online).

The advantages are huge, as almost every Agent will happily accept an invoice, it is 100% Bona Vide and cannot be scammed or cheated and is accepted more happily by the Revenue.
You are paid Gross, with tax and NI only being paid yearly, but the Tax allowances allow you much greater freedom than any other method and the mileage allowances alone can offset much of the tax your due to pay.

A really good accountant will cost perhaps £2k per year but could save you 90% of the tax and NI that you would have paid, so really a good accountant is well worth it. Even what you pay your Accountant is deductible from your Tax bill, so it’s a no-brainer

For further advice and details please contact us using the contact form; link at the bottom of every page.

Chefstress, identifying the causes

With some of the hottest temperatures on record now hitting our kitchens, it’s time to evaluate and quantify to very causes of what is now acknowledged as “heat stress” which in turn leads to the workplace stress known as Chefstress.

So, what exactly are “heatstress” and “chefstress” and how do they affect chefs in modern working kitchens.

Heatstress is now defined by the Health and Safety Executive as the rising of the body’s temperature due to the ambient or surrounding temperature.

This ambient temperature makes the body evaporate water through the sweat glands, the higher the temperature, the more you lose water through sweating. This is called dehydration.

Dehydration of the body is dangerous. It can create headaches, make you lose concentration leading to accidents, can raise the heart rate and cause palpitations’ men it can cause infertility, decreasing the production of sperm and in women, cause cystitis, and increase yeast production which causes gynaecological infections.

Causes of Heatstress are now recognised as being poor kitchen design, lack of Air Conditioning, Thermo Deficient Equipment, poorly designed Uniforms and hats and poor user knowledge and abuse of equipment.

Heatstress is now seen as a major cause of Workplace Stress and Chefstress is now being recognised as a unique type of stress.

So now we understand what causes Heatstress. How does that quantify into “Chefstress”? Heatstress is indeed just one of the ingredients that go into the mix of causes that chefs must incur during their working day. Along with antiquated and unsuitable Uniforms, the insistence of unsuitable and (largely unnecessary) headwear, lack of cooled water, access to fresh air and increasing administrative duties that many have not been trained for.

Chefstress is a culmination of all of these and often more as the one thing the makes chefs unique is their internal drive for perfection. The single factor in making Chefstress unique in evaluating stress isn’t an external factor, but indeed an internal factor. The very drive for perfection, the possibility of another star or Rosette, the acclamation and the rewards of success is unparalleled in other careers. Of course, we know that Doctors, Fireman etc all suffer levels of stress, but it is this self-destroying quest for perfection that makes professional cooking one of the most stressful jobs there is.

Few careers have both the external and internal factors and its this lethal combination that is now turning chefs away from what once was an enjoyable job. The Head Chef role has changed dramatically too, and many are now mear administrators, tied to their desk, creating menus on a computer and filing the reams of (largely unnecessary) paperwork that plagues many kitchens. This, in turn, creates frustration and poor leadership as the time spent on the floor in touch with the job diminishes, creating further stress for both the Head chef and their staff.

Staff shortages and increasing Employer expectations are also playing a part in the mix that creates Chefstress, and the lack of Employer knowledge and understanding is making the life for the average chef just a little too much to bear.