Coronavirus: Vaccine only way to save hospitality says Merivale CEO
Merivale CEO Justin Hemmes says a COVID-19 vaccine will be the only thing to save hospitality, until then he has introduced Merivale At Home, a dining service that delivers menu, drink and produce boxes, to help keep the business afloat.
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BELIEVING no respite is coming for hospitality coming until a vaccine for COVID-19 is developed, Merivale CEO Justin Hemmes has introduced an at home dining option for some of his top restaurants.
As of today, Merivale At Home will be available to order online, a new at-home dining service that delivers menu, drink and produce boxes from Mr. Wong, Totti’s, Bert’s Bar & Brasserie, Fred’s and Vinnie’s Pizza straight to customers’ doors.
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Hemmes, who turned a handful of restaurants into a billion dollar empire, said the No. 1 thing that can be done to support the hospitality industry is to “find a vaccine”, and in the meantime, play it safe.
“It sounds like a simple answer, but ultimately that is the number one thing that needs to be done to save our industry in the long-term,” Hemmes told The Daily Telegraph.
“Until then, we all have a huge part to play in keeping this under the control.
“The government has done an extraordinary job in supporting workers. They have stepped in, at great speed, to provide financial support to all Australians.
“This is providing urgent relief to individuals who desperately need it, has allowed employers to stay connected to their staff, and will ensure we’re in the best possible place to rebuild our industry, and economy, once the restrictions are lifted.
“The responsibility then lies with us, every single Australian. We need to stay at home and stick to the rules.
“The sooner we do that, the sooner we can ease back to the life we all know and love, with hospitality at its core”.
In the meantime, Hemmes said measures such as Merivale At Home would play a part in keeping the industry afloat and in turn, keeping everyone involved with stability during uncertain times.
The new at-home business is backed by Merivale’s formidable line-up of hospitality heavyweights including executive chefs Dan Hong, Danielle Alvarez, Jordan Toft, Mike Eggert, Ben Greeno and Vincenzo Biondini, alongside Master Sommelier Franck Moreau and multi-award-winning Group Bars Manager, Sam Egerton.
“We want to encourage our guests to stay local and support their farmers, fishermen, winegrowers and producers, who need our help now more than ever. Our supply chain has been hit hard with drought, bushfires and now, COVID-19,” Hemmes said.
“We are really proud to continue to support these incredible people, and help maintain a livelihood for as many employees as possible”.
Merivale At Home will allow customers to enjoy some of the group’s iconic dishes at home, including Mr Wong’s Kung Pao Chicken, Totti’s wood-fired bread and burrata and Bert’s prime rib with menus changing regularly.
Boxes are designed to feed two and are priced at $70 – $95.
Originally published as Coronavirus: Vaccine only way to save hospitality says Merivale CEO
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