The Hospitality Industry's Rocky Road

Rech by Alain Ducasse had a great view, good food, but closed last night

Tonight I re-visited a relatively new restaurant in Causeway Bay and it was doing pretty good business. Staff were all wearing masks and hand sanitizer was at the bar for anyone wanting to give their hands a good rubdown.

This evening chefs wearing masks prepare dinner for 12 guests

At dinner the gossip tonight was about Rech by Alain Ducasse's sudden closure last night. The fine-dining contemporary French restaurant seemed to have the right formula -- a stunning view of Victoria Harbour, unpretentious decor and seafood that was fresh and light -- and managed to retain its one Michelin star for three consecutive years.

But yesterday afternoon the staff were told that in a few hours they would be working their last service for dinner, and the restaurant would close. Imagine how shocking that is -- to find out you have no job the next day.

However what happened at Rech is happening all over the city, a lot of restaurants, cafes, shops are closing because they can't financially survive anymore after eight months of protests and now the coronavirus that has morphed into a global pandemic.

People aren't being let go because of their work performance -- it's a collection of forces that are way beyond their control.

Everyone is vulnerable to cuts, including dai pai dongs

When will it all end? No one knows. It's shocking and sad to see so many people unemployed at once, affecting all sectors, but right now it's the survival of the fittest in terms of how deep pockets are...