Tom Kerridge has knives out for ‘disgraceful’ no-shows

A CELEBRITY chef has criticised customers who failed to show up at his restaurant after making reservations, accusing them of threatening jobs while the industry is on the brink of collapse.

Tom Kerridge, who opened Kerridge’s Bar and Grill two years ago, condemned the “disgraceful and selfish” no-shows in a rant posted to his Instagram profile.

The chef told how 27 people failed to make their reservations at his restaurant in the Corinthia Hotel, just off London’s Trafalgar Square, on Saturday night.

“To the 27 people that booked @kerridgesbandg and then failed to turn up on a Saturday night … This industry, like many others is on the verge of collapse,” he wrote.

“Your behaviour is disgraceful, shortsighted and down right unhelpful … all of you “no shows” in all restaurants up and down the country and adding to the issues already being faced … YOU are putting people’s jobs more at risk…”

As restaurants begin reopening following the easing of lockdown restrictions, Mr Kerridge said business owners are already being forced to make “very uncomfortable and hard decisions” around staffing.

“We put staff levels to the number of covers booked and when you fail to turn up, it now costs us, which in turn will force very uncomfortable and hard decisions about staffing levels,” he said.

“You are the worst kind of guest, and that is “selfish”. I hope you have a good look at yourselves…”

Clare Smyth, a fellow celebrity chef, commented on the post, saying that the actions of the customers were “thoughtless” and “disrespectful”.

She replied: “Well said Tom. We need to educate people now more than ever. Our industry needs to come into line with others.

“Staff don’t work for free because the guests don’t turn up. Ingredients are prepared and wasted. It is incredibly disrespectful.”