3 AMIGO’S RISE FROM THE ASHES
Pubs save staff after CBD fire
A PLAN has been cooked up to save the livelihoods of staff who lost their jobs when fire razed Amigo’s Bar & Grill last week.
Under the partnership between the restaurant’s owner Barry Hodges and hotelier John Anderson three versions of Amigo’s will rise from the ashes.
Mr Hodges will bring the popular restaurant back to life by providing Mexican food at three Toowoomba hotels owned by Mr Anderson; De Lacy’s, the Norville and the Settlers Inn.
Still emotional from the loss of his restaurant, Mr Hodge’s main focus has been to provide new jobs for his chefs and apprentices at Amigo’s, which employed 19 people.
The new venture will employ four apprentices, two chefs and Mr Hodges.
Other staff from the restaurant have found work elsewhere including the Spotted Cow Hotel.
“My staff are so excited and relieved. They’ve got employment, they can continue their apprenticeships,” Mr Hodges said.
Mr Anderson said all existing staff at the hotels would be retained.
The project is already under way and staff started work yesterday, but the full transition is expected to take at least four weeks
Mr Anderson is hoping customers from Amigo’s will boost patronage at the hotels with the rebirth of the restaurant.
The hotels will serve Amigo’s favourites like steaks, slow-cooked meats, pork belly and lamb shanks along with modern Mexican dishes. They will also serve margaritas, cocktails and sangria.
The restaurant had made its own bread before the fire and a local baker will make products for the hotels.
It was also renowned for ice creams, which Mr Hodges said would be introduced to the menu later.
At Amigo’s all the food was made from scratch and that posed a logistical problem for the new venture with none of the kitchens at the hotels large enough to house all the equipment needed.
To solve that problem different foods will be produced at the various sites and then shared between the hotels.
Mr Anderson said the food on offer at the three hotels would slowly transition to an Amigo’s menu, with some specials remaining available.
Mr Hodges, a professional chef, will oversee food production at the three sites, train apprentices and interact with the public.
Mr Anderson said it was an exciting time.
“I think it’s got a great future for the three hotels.
“We’re taking on the good name and reputation that Amigo’s had.
“We haven’t got an official name yet but we’re thinking of calling it Three Amigos.”