Sydney chefs prepare for anti-vax backlash ahead of hospitality venues reopening

The hospitality industry says it will stand its ground against anti-vaxxers who are leaving them bad reviews but wants the government to make its messages clearer.

Hospitality has become the fault line for Australia’s anti-vax debate after one of the country’s most exclusive restaurants was forced to stare down a social media storm after opening bookings to only vaccinated customers.

Celebrity chef Matt Moran told The Daily Telegraph he was left traumatised after anti-vaxxers unleashed their fury at him for saying he will open the doors of Aria restaurant to inoculated patrons next month.

It comes as fellow star chef and restaurateur Neil Perry signalled his concern for the industry, labelling government messaging as “unclear”.

Hospitality figures are fearful after seeing pro-vax venues overseas inundated with bad reviews from the anti-vax brigade.

Matt Moran was left traumatised by the trolling. Picture: Tim Hunter

Neil Perry said the government had sent “mixed messages”. Picture: Nikki Short

Aria’s Instagram account was flooded with comments accusing Mr Moran of siding with “tyranny” and “discrimination”.

The onslaught prompted support from industry peers including Josephine Perry who cautioned that all hospitality businesses were in for the same treatment once the state opened up.

“Every single restaurant in Sydney who plans to open their doors next month will have to announce the same policy as it will be the law,” she said in a social media post.

“You are scaring me, you are scaring my staff, and you’re scaring my friends in the industry to reopen our doors and have to deal with you while all we’re doing is what the government will ­enforce us to do.”

Ms Perry’s father, Neil Perry, added he was concerned with the government’s dithering on whether it will be businesses or the authorities who will decide the fate of unvaccinated residents wanting to dine out.

“Looks like the government will leave it up to the business so (I am) not sure what will happen,” he said.

“The Services Minister has put up a new QR code with a vax tick and the Premier today said it’s about the business’s choice. So, I’m not sure what that means.”

Josephine Perry has jumped to Aria’s defence as she prepares her own staff for anti-vaxxer backlash. Picture: Toby Zerna

Restaurants and Catering Association boss Wes Lambert.

Merivale executive chef Jordan Toft. Picture: Supplied

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said on Monday her cabinet had not formalised any plans on freedoms for unvaccinated people but maintained they should not “assume you’ll get to do everything vaccinated people can.” She did not clarify whether the decision to bar vaccinated people from dining out once the state reached an 80 per cent double vaccination rate would be a government or industry decision.

Merivale executive chef Jordan Toft said he was not “overly concerned” about backlash from anti-vaxxers and would take necessary steps to protect staff.

“Our business has one of the strongest positions in taking on guest feedback very seriously (but) on this subject, we align ourselves with the government’s opening plan,” he said.

Restaurants and Catering Association boss Wes Lambert added: “It will be very important that everyone in NSW gets on board to being vaccinated to avoid any confrontation that may occur due to public health orders based upon vaccination status.”