Chef shortage adding to ‘perfect storm’ affecting restaurants

A group of chefs has warned that small independent restaurants are bearing the brunt of a shortage of chefs, caused by a ‘perfect storm’ in the industry.

The Oxford Guild of Chefs said the sector was “on it’s knees” and had not yet recovered from the impacts of Brexit and Covid.

Owner and executive chef at the Five Little Pigs restaurant in Wallingford, Aimee Collins, said economic factors had added to the problems and created “an awful storm of misery for hospitality businesses”.

The government had said it was helping pubs, cafes and restaurants by extending business rates relief and cutting the cost of licensing so more establishments could offer al fresco dining.

Ms Collins said: “normality hasn’t resumed post-Brexit, post-Covid. The staffing pool… has been absolutely drained”.

“But the last year has really thrown a few extra curveballs and it does, frankly, as a small independent, feel pretty relentless” she added.

Ms Collins sited the cost of living crisis, rises in National Insurance and the 20 percent rate VAT as contributing factors.

Master of the Oxford Guild of Chefs, Ben Gibbons, said it wants to “recruit the new generation of chefs… because it’s such a good industry to be in”.

Five leading Oxfordshire chefs have shared their stories as part of a new social media campaign, aimed at attracting more people into the industry.

Mr Gibbons is also head chef at The University of Oxford’s St Anne’s College.

“It’s such a supportive network of people… it’s an exciting thing – the adrenaline rush when you’re working in a kitchen” he said.

“Cheffing is an amazing career, but there’s a real shortage of people pursuing it. I’m passionate about getting more young people cooking, because it’s a life skill everyone should know – and there are so many career opportunities.”