Turning the tables on diners

businesses over time but so far he hasn’t had to charge any patrons.

‘‘I think it will be normalised . . . it seems to be heading that way.’’

After battling through two years of pandemic restrictions, some hospitality venues have struggled to get back up.

The Madam Woo restaurant chain, founded by celebrity chef Josh Emett and restaurateur Fleur Caulton, had been put into voluntary administration.

The chain was part of hospitality group Go To Collection.

Administrators from PwC were brought in by the company’s directors last month.

‘‘The company has experienced a difficult period due to the impact of Covid-19, especially the extreme shortage of staff,’’ PwC administrator Malcolm Hollis said at the time.

The hospitality group operates the Rata, Madam Woo and Hawker & Roll restaurants in Queenstown, Auckland, Hamilton and Tauranga and has more than 100 staff.

The chain has a Madam Woo restaurant in Hamilton, but Hollis says is unlikely to close anytime soon and is ‘‘running really well.’’

However, Hawker & Roll restaurants in Queenstown, Tauranga and Auckland have been closed.