KEITH T. DENNETT | New South | CONTACT
An ingenious publican has managed to manoeuvre his way through the Nation’s skills shortage, after bringing back a cherished pub variety night back into rotation.
Wedged in between ‘Trivia Tuesdays’ and ‘Joker Poker Thursdays’, it’s believed Betoota locals can now get a taste of their very own kitchen skills every Wednesday at The Churchills Arms as they participate in “Cook Your Own Steak and Whatever Else” night.
Speaking to local publican Bill Burleigh, who’s been the licensee holder at Churchills for over 14 years, the proud business owner said the return of “Cook Your Own” night was primarily due to crippling staff shortages.
“Pre-pandemic I had about 10 kitchen hands on my books, but since the flu wiped out half the workforce and the other half skipped town for jobs that actually pay super, I can’t hire a chef to save myself!”
“I post on Facebook, Gumtree and all the other hospo apps every week, but I can barely find a 15 year old kid who’ll peel me spud right now, let alone a sous chef who actually knows how to chargrill a steak.”
Speaking to our reporter from a milk crate in the back alley, a smoking Bill told The Advocate that “Cook Your Steak Night” financially works a treat, as relieves him of paying any kitchen wages and instead empowers pub patrons to do all the work for him.
“People are loving it, give any pissed numpty access to a commercial kitchen packed with racks of fancy cooking utensils and they act like they’re on an episode of Masterchef!”
“To be honest I’ve rebranded the whole experience so I don’t have to put any staff on, I just leave the kitchen open and people can ‘Build their own salad’, cook their own steak and fry their own potato.”
“Two beers in and it’s like watching a group of toddlers go to town on a Kindergarten mock kitchen, they’re banging and clanging fry pans in there little a Tiny Tots music class!”
More to come.
