Tom Kerridge slams 'selfish' no-shows putting jobs at risk

Chef Tom Kerridge has slammed “selfish” no-shows on social media after 27 people that were booked into Kerridge’s Bar & Grill at the Corinthia London hotel failed to turn up on Saturday night.

The chef, who also owns the two-Michelin-starred Hand & Flowers, one-Michelin-starred Coach, and the Butcher's Tap, all in Marlow, Buckinghamshire, and operates the Bull & Bear restaurant at Manchester’s Stock Exchange hotel, said the behaviour was putting peoples’ jobs at risk.

Posting on Instagram, he said: “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. Your behaviour is disgraceful, shortsighted and down right unhelpful... all of you “no shows” in all restaurants up and down the country are adding to the issues already being faced... YOU are putting peoples jobs more at risk...

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

Operators issued pleas to guests last week to show up for bookings. Italian restaurant group Gusto opened nine of its 18 venues on Monday after being closed for more than three months, only for 270 of those who had booked not to take their seats.