Melbourne’s latest lockdown (#3,547 if we’re counting correctly) forced hospitality businesses to again close their doors at very short notice, putting thousands of hospitality professionals out of work (again).
We love the hospitality industry and the people in it. We know many of you feel the same. Sarah Edwards’ open letter published in The Guardian sums it up perfectly: “I love my hospitality job but I wish I wasn’t a casual in the middle of a pandemic.”
Amidst the chaos, there were some heart-warming and just downright awesome stories coming out of the city’s hospitality industry, that we thought we’d share, because who couldn’t use some good news right now? We love the below venues and organisations, and think they exemplify the community spirit that the Australian hospitality industry is well known for…
Foodbank Victoria in Yarraville packed 3000 hampers (with contactless drive through) for hospitality, retail and arts workers who were doing it toughest in lockdown 4.0.
Lucas Restaurants was giving out free meals to all hospo workers that were stood down in the recent lockdown. Hospo workers could head to either Chin Chin, Hawerhall or Baby Pizzeria to get a free butter chicken, vegetable curry or rigatoni. (On top of that healthcare workers were also getting 50% off takeaway).
Chef Jerry Mai served her banh mi in Collingwood for 50% off for hospo workers.
The Flying Zucchinis delivered free fruit and veg boxes.
The Bearded Jaffle gave away free (you guessed it) jaffles for hospo workers who had lost work, every day of lockdown.
Kazuki Restaurant gave away free Japanese Curry for hospo works in need over two days during lockdown.
Dingo Ate My Taco set aside tacos for any hospo workers who lost shifts during lockdown.
Pope Joan dished out free food for an afternoon, no questions asked.
Good Gnocchi gave away “Free Spaghetti for absolutely anyone cos COVID sucks.”
Theodores in Brunswick put on a free meal night, no questions asked.
And maybe our favourite, Entrecote South Yarra was serving mulled wine in a coffee cup for ‘essential’ exercise.
Did you experience the kindness of strangers during the latest lockdown? Perhaps you’d like to give them a shout out? Head to our Facebook page and let us know, we’d love to highlight some of hospitality’s biggest legends.
