Jason Atherton: restaurateurs wait like "plonkers" for Brexit decision
Chef Jason Atherton called on Prime Minister Theresa May to take action on Brexit today at the launch of his new restaurant, Hai Cenato in Victoria.
As reported in the Evening Standard, Atherton said: "Until [the Prime Minister] announces how things will work, we are all just sitting here like plonkers waiting. The faster she does it, the better for us all as it means we can start to work out contingency plans."
"Brexit will undoubtedly have a negative impact on our workforce as the vast majority of workers in the industry are from the EU, there is no getting away from that. I hope and pray that the heart doesn't get ripped out of London's dining scene. The industry has worked so hard over the past 25 years to turn London's restaurant scene from a joke into a world leader.
"We have so much talent here and I hope we don't drive that away for the sake of a silly vote."
Hai Cenato is Atherton's ninth in the city, which he claims will be less affected by Brexit than his other restaurants which source ingredients from Italy.
Hai Cenato will serve New York-Italian food such as pasta, risotto, grills and pizzas, using British produce.
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