My name is Pat Bowen and I am co-owner of Bouzy Rouge Cafe & Bar on Gordon Street, Port Macquarie. After witnessing the recent closure of two restaurants, I have had enough.
This cannot go unnoticed any longer! I don’t want to see anyone go bust, it’s not good for our industry! It leaves people out of jobs and more importantly, our suppliers out of pocket. These suppliers put good faith in us to do the right thing.
Too many people open cafes/restaurants and food outlets with basic experience in the industry.
To put this in perspective, I apprenticed for four years under chefs such as Justin North, Peter Doyle, James Privett and Lauren Murdoch before having any management responsibility at all! Then I spent two years as a sous chef before spending two years as a head chef before I even thought about opening my own business in this industry!
Something needs to be done to bring back the genuine tradespeople in this industry!
I love going to Bunnings but I don’t open a building/plumbing/electrical business, it’s the same principle. I can do a few home repairs but I don’t call myself a tradesman.
I would like you to promote a proposed charity dinner at Bouzy Rouge (or hopefully some other bigger restaurants would like to get on board) to help raise some money for the suppliers.
Please get on board and help our industry!
Padraig Bowen.
Port macquarie
