Over the past few days it has become difficult to keep track of the news. The minute you set to write something, another piece of news changes everything.
For most of us over the past few weeks we have been living in unprecedented territory. Unchartered waters.
Moments after I was about to write about the voluntary decision of some Italian chefs to close their restaurants came the decision to close everything down.
Elsewhere, from the United States to Slovenia, from Malta to Spain, restaurants are voluntarily closing down their places to safeguard their staff and also clients.
In Belgium, the country where I live, restaurants, bars and cafes’ seemed to have been taken by surprise when the government announced that they would have to close from today.
Many seemed to be baffled by the decision though it is not only inevitable but also necessary if the coronavirus is to be stopped.
Kobe Desramaults showed leadership on Instagram saying “I understand and support the lockdown”.
He said he nevetheless felt the need to express his feelings of sorrow for the young entrepreneurs who will be facing huge challenges goingforward. “Dark days are now but remember there is a crack in everything, that’s how the light gets in,” he said.
In Italy, Massimo Bottura has decided to go live on Instagram every evening to show people that live goes on and that he is cooking for his family.
Others have tried to put a brave face. Nick Bril sold most of his produce for the restaurants The Jane and August through his social media channels.
Most restaurants in Belgian cities are now moving towards offering catering services and takeaway to clients with some like Christophe Hardiquest of Bon Bon offering to cook at home.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B9q9QjxgsJq/?igshid=c3kdgysrkd90
“You cannot come to us so this is the Bon Bon experience that comes to you,” he said.
If you have news of initiatives that you would like to share as well as best practice that might be emulated elsewhere, don’t hesitate to contact us.
We will try to share with our readers as soon as possible.
Most importantly #staythefuckhome and keep safe.
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