Resto-RANT
The local restaurant scene is coming back to life, yes, but under different circumstances.
The food industry — restaurants, cafés, fast-foods, destination dining places, bakeshops, eateries, etc. — was one of the hardest hit by the Luzon lockdown. Caught by surprise when President Rodrigo Duterte called for a partial lockdown in March, restaurants had no recourse but to cease operations temporarily, although there was no telling when they would open again. The uncertainty sent chef-owners and even seasoned restaurateurs into silent panic — there was no income for the meantime, yes, but the rent must be paid as well as the regular staff’s salaries.
For consumers, to whom dining out with family and meeting up with friends and clients in restaurants had become part of their routine, the lockdown forced drastic changes in their way of life. “Trapped” at home for an uncertain length of time, they worried over whether or not they had enough food to tide them over. Initially, there was panic buying. Those who had the resources stocked up on canned goods, rice, instant noodles and frozen food. Those who had limited resources had to bank on the promise of the government to provide food assistance.
Homecooked vs meal deliveries
Suddenly, everyone was cooking at home again, preparing three meals a day to keep every member of the household properly nourished. Almost at the same time, “jobless” employees started cooking at home not just for the family but to sell food for a little extra income. They kept their prices reasonably low, posted their products online and started taking orders and delivering for free or for minimal delivery charges. It was easier for those living in subdivisions with FB pages and online market places, because they had captured markets and delivery could be done by bike, e-bike, motorcycle, even by foot. Used to eating out often, consumers welcomed this less expensive option, although fast-foods also offered pick-up or delivery options.
The higher-end restaurants stayed closed for a while — until they decided to open for pick-up or delivery. They offered — and continue to offer — food kits, which are like assemble-your-own dishes, with all the essential ingredients already in the kit. Chef-driven restaurants and catering services companies have come up with ready-to-eat meals and frozen versions in vacuum-packed plastic bags and microwavables for easy reheating at home. Since these are chef creations and happen to be specialties of their restaurants, reheating them at home and partaking of them with the family afterwards is the next best thing to dining in the restaurant itself.
The local restaurant scene is coming back to life, yes, but under different circumstances.