Edinburgh chef claims restaurants have been left on ‘death row’ and warns of growing trend for clandestine house parties

One of Edinburgh's leading chefs and restaurateurs claims hospitality businesses have been left on “death row” by coronavirus restrictions – as she warned of the impact of a growing trend for holding clandestine dinner parties behind closed doors.

Carina Contini has been one of the most high-profile campaigners trying to safeguards jobs in the Scottish hospitality industry.

Carina Contini, who runs three eateries in Edinburgh city centre, has warned the industry is facing a “slaughter of the innocents” unless there is a rethink over blanket restrictions.

Ms Contini claimed the recent increase in coronavirus cases in the city was down to “mixing at home, where more alcohol is often consumed,” rather than people gathering in restaurants, which have been banned from selling alcohol under the Scottish Government’s Level 3 restrictions.

Ms Contini, who has been one of the most high-profile campaigners trying to safeguard jobs and businesses in the hospitality industry, has suggested that allowing supermarkets to remain open while restaurants faced repeated clampdowns had creating an environment for the “big boys” to thrive.

Carina Contini runs three restaurants in Edinburgh with her husband Victor.

Ms Contini joined forces with other key players in the hospitality industry, including Michelin-starred chef Tom Kitchin and James Thomson, owner of the Prestonfied hotel and restaurant in Edinburgh, to launch a “Save Our Jobs” campaign in October.

They are also involved in a festive season campaign urging people in Edinburgh to support the city’s independent restaurants by buying gift vouchers as Christmas presents.

Along with her husband Victor, Ms Contini runs restaurants on George Street and the Royal Mile, as well as the eaterie at the Scottish National Gallery which overlooks Princes Street Gardens.

In a blog posted before First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced the introduction of strict new curbs across mainland Scotland from Boxing Day, Ms Contini said it was “clear that Scottish Government has no idea how hospitality works.”

She wrote: “We're not a production line that you just stop and start. Do they understand the resource required to manoeuvre around this quagmire?”

“I feel like hospitality is sitting on death row waiting for a pardon, but everyone, including the judge, knows we’re innocent.

“I’m trying not to be angry as how can you be angry towards a virus that has killed people you don’t even know. But government strategy that is seeing businesses like ours severely restricted while creating an environment for supermarket grocery sales to hit record levels in November feels like the big boys are winning, big time.

“There needs to be a rebalance. Not because people are getting drunk in restaurants but because more people are entertaining at home and house parties are the fashion for some.

“Mixing at home, where more alcohol is often consumed, in an unsocially distanced environment is driving the wrong results. Moving our socialising habits from Covid safe venues to our houses isn’t just a Covid problem.

"We’re creating an economic and skills disaster that has successfully defined and given life to a nation of great food. Please let’s not kill this and let the big boys win.

"We need our reprieve, don’t slaughter the innocents. Let us help share good food, health and community wellbeing with far more flare, joy, environmental benefits and value than any supermarket. We need all the ingredients for our mutual success.”

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