While the cost-of-living rises, hospitality venues and groups are frantically trying to fill hundreds of job vacancies ahead of the upcoming festive season.
Peter Papas has the Kazzi Beach Greek in Balmoral and told the Daily Telegraph that the cost of labour and produce was just another challenge businesses are facing with many having not having a choice but to pass the increase onto customers.
“We’ve done our best to hold pricing for as long as we can and continue to absorb most of it but recently we’ve had to pass small increases on,” Papas said.
“The main cost is fresh produce – tomatoes are up 80 per cent, greens are up, and meat prices are also on the increase by about 15 per cent. It’s a challenge across the whole industry.”
As venues get ready for a surge in visitors in the upcoming months, there are presently openings for barista, front of house, chef, and management positions.
Some venues have taken extraordinary measures to solve the shortages, such as posting job openings on highway billboards. One venue has even used an electronic robot to serve its patrons.
Source: Daily Telegraph
