Our own Chef Andrew Gruel of the Slapfish Restaurant Group provides another timely and informative “Ask the Chef” segment where Chef Andrew responds to listeners thoughtful inquiries.

Chef Andrew has some thoughts on a controversial, but spreading, new trend at some restaurants where they aren’t reachable by phone. No listed phone number…The guest communicates exclusively through their online reservation system, social media or email. This emerging trend was first reported in the Food Section of The New York Times.

Chef Andrew’s perspective as a restaurateur is this trend started as a response to the current staffing shortage in restaurants. Restaurants spend a lot of time on the phone with distracting, nuisance calls. Chef Andrew’s point is that if a restaurant during service responds quickly to an email or social media inquiry that reasonably accommodates the potential future guest. Meanwhile the patrons then dining at the restaurant are properly taken care of.

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