Cooking up plans to avert a crisis
“One of the biggest challenges of my job is to balance the message – to ensure people know the Gold Coast is open for business and will be the most glorious place for those two weeks, but also ensure people travel responsibly.
“Glasgow left (launching a similar program) appallingly late (in 2014). I was director of the program and (organisers) came to the table very, very late, which left me with little time to have these meaningful conversations.
“(But) we’re giving businesses the very best chance of having a brilliant Games ... it’s not an easy story for everyone but it’s an attitude that makes the difference.” DANIEL Ridgeway knew the Commonwealth Games was going to impact his world. He just had no idea how much.
“The magnitude was nowhere near what we thought it would be,” the renowned restaurateur said of what he had learned since teaming with Get Set for the Games to prepare his culinary destinations for GC2018.
“I'm so glad we’re being proactive because it would’ve been a complete disaster if we hadn’t. Now we’re on-board, everything is clear.”
Not that there isn’t plenty of hard work still to be done.
With 130 staff across seven restaurants from Coolangatta (Bin 72) to Runaway Bay (the soon-to-open Gotham), The Ridgeway Group has been meeting with the Get Set team for several months to find ways to overcome the inevitable hurdles the Games will put in front of them.
They may slightly reduce their menus to help cope with the masses headed their way.
Their suppliers, who will need security clearances, will look at delivering produce in the early hours of the morning as road access will be restricted during the day.
The Group will increase use of its central kitchen at Ashmore and host bulk deliveries twice a week instead of each day.
Then there is Ridgeway’s greatest asset – his people.
“We’ve got a designated staff member who’ll be assisting our team with their travel plans,” he said.
“We’re looking at hiring pushbikes because a lot of them live pretty close to work ... and those who don’t might work at a restaurant closer to home for that two to threeweek period.
“We also don’t want a lot of our staff to go on holidays so we’ll be looking at paying them a higher rate or having a staff party when it’s over.
“It’s going to be a stressful period but we also want them to be excited about it.”
Such detailed planning will be music to the ears of Games organisers – and a reality check for those bosses yet to start getting set.
“Don’t fight it,” Ridgeway warned. “You can’t change it so just accept it and work out what’s best for you.
“You’ve got to embrace the Games as a positive rather than a negative or you’ve got no chance.
“Be proactive ... or you’re just going to put yourself through unnecessary stress.”