Fred Sirieix calls for 'strategy and action' to make hospitality the UK's leading industry

Fred Sirieix has written an open letter in an attempt to change the public's disparaging attitude towards the hospitality industry. 

The former Maitre D' at Galvin at Windows has long been a proponent for change in the perception of catering industry staff. The face of National Waiters' Day, he recently called for the introduction of a hospitality minister to give the sector the recognition it deserves.

The letter, posted on Fred's Twitter page, said: "For as long as I can remember, and certainly since I joined the #hospitality industry aged 16, the profession I chose has rarely been respected, valued or appreciated." 

"It's a historical problem. A hundred years ago catering staff were the least respected staff working in households. And the industry at large still sees it as an industry made up of masters and servants. 

"Over the years there has (sic) been countless meetings, conferences, promises and quite frankly and quite frustratingly much ado about nothing - with no visible actions on the ground." 

"This needs to change from 2020 or we will be in the same position in the future." 

He called for "a coalition of the willing to put in place a plan, a strategy and to start a movement that will change the status quo and make hospitality not only the leading UK industry but the envy of the world."