100 free meals is Whittlesey chef’s way of saying thank you to key workers

Chris’ fledgling restaurant Homme Nouveau in Market Square, which only opened in September, has been hit hard, like all the hospitality sector since the enforced closures kicked in last month.

He has been running a break-even operation single-handedly, as his staff are furloughed, preparing and delivering dishes for people to reheat at home on Fridays, afternoon teas on Saturdays and roast dinners on Sundays.

”I feel a bit guilty complaining about it,” says Chris. “I am not the only one that has been affected and I have had a lot of support from the people of Whittlesey every week to help keep me afloat.

”I decided a couple of weeks ago to do something to say thank you, particularly to the frontline key workers in the NHS and the supermarkets.

”So on Tuesday (28th), between 4pm and 6pm, there will be 100 ready meals cooked by me on tables outside the restaurant for people to just come and help themselves.

“I have also had an order from a matron at Peterborough City Hospital  from one of the wards that is really struggling with what they are dealing with. She wanted a little pick me up for the staff so I have delivered a big batch of scones with clotted cream and jam.

”She has been to the restaurant for dinner and it was really nice of her to get in touch.”

The chef-patron remains philosophical about the whole situation although like many believes the timing didn’t help at all.

”Trade in the week leading up to the government announcement telling us to close was already 50 per cent down because people were social distancing,” he said. “And the announcement came too late because it was Friday before Mothering Sunday weekend and everyone had bought in stock. I probably wasted £1000 in stock.

”The hospitality sector has been totally crippled by this and what is disheartening for me  is that I have only been open for six months.”

An application to Fenland District Council for a £10,000 small business grant has been successful, although the money hasn’t yet come through, but that won’t last forever and the future remains uncertain.

”I am still taking it day by day, week by week, and trying to make the best of a bad situation,” he said. “The grant from the council is welcome, it will help keep me afloat for a couple of months, and for the foreseeable future I am getting rent relief from my landlord which is really helpful. 

“But what I am doing is just breaking even. I would love to be able to do hot meals from here in the restaurant but with staff all furloughed that just isn’t possible, I am already cooking and prepping six days a week and delivering meals,

”As long as my landlord is looking after me and the job retention scheme for furloughed staff stays in place I can get through the summer, but there is only so long people will keep buying afternoon teas and ready meals.”

He added: “A lot of people in the town are doing good things, more than me, so that is one positive that has come out of all this.”