Will this pandemic change the way we dine?
Let’s face it, most people love to eat. However the closure of restaurants enforced by the coronavirus pandemic has brought the most important question to the fore — ‘will the culture of eating out change’?
Aniesha Chaana, a digital marketing manager and a frequent diner at Delhi’s popular eateries worries about precautions restaurants will take in future. She says, “I used to dine out at least thrice a week. But now, I will be a little apprehensive to eat out.”
Restaurant owners fear this and are working at getting back their patrons. Several restaurateurs feel that, while they will take preventive measures to ensure proper hygiene and safety of diners, it will be a humongous task to rebuild the trust of customers.
Akshay Anand, founder,
Ophelia and Toy Room, feels that gaining the same pace as before will require patience. He says, “Once the nation gets a control over this unfortunate issue, the entire restaurant industry will have to task to re-establish themselves.”
Due to the severe negative impact on the global economy, there might be a shift towards conservative spending believes Zorawar Kalra of Massive Restaurants Pvt Ltd . He says, “It will take months for things to return to status quo. But we are hopeful.”
Despite the tough times, there is a ray of hope for restaurants to get back into action. “The first two weeks will be the best time of business, feels Priyank Sukhija, MD and CEO, First Fiddle F&B Pvt Ltd. However, he also says that when the situation gets better, restaurants are going to be the last ones to open.”
Inderjeet Singh Banga, founder, Prankster and Pra Pra prank and also Gurgaon Chapter Head, National Restaurant Association of India, says, “We shall first make a social distance dining for patrons. Also, it shall require employer, employees and stakeholders i.e landlords and govt agencies to support each other to tide this over.”