James Martin criticises no-show diners after 92 people bail on reservations at friend’s restaurant
‘It’s an ongoing problem that needs to be addressed,’ says TV chef
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.James Martin has criticised people who fail to show up to restaurant reservations during an appearance on This Morning after explaining that 92 diners did not turn up to reservations they’d made at one of his friend’s restaurants.
The TV chef was asked whether or not he’d had any bad experiences with no-shows.
“Fortunately only a few times, not to the extent of some people I’ve heard about,” he responded.
“One of my friends had 96 people booked for lunch and only four turned up.
“So you can imagine running a business like that. It’s very difficult in the hardest times, it’s really difficult getting food really let alone staff.”
Martin described no-shows as an “ongoing problem” in the restaurant industry “that needs to be addressed”.
As for finding a solution, the TV chef explained that it’s easier said than done.
“It’s a chicken and egg thing,” he said. ”It’s difficult to know what to do. There’s no answer for it.
“You’d hope that people have a little bit of common sense and a little bit of courtesy.”
Martin’s comments come after several high-profile British chefs have spoken out about the strain that no-shows are putting on the restaurant industry, which is already in a state of flux due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Last week, Tom Kerridge spoke about the subject after a group of 27 people failed to show up to his eponymous establishment at the Corinthia Hotel in London.
Writing on Instagram, Kerridge called the group’s behaviour “selfish” and “disgraceful” considering that so many restaurants are struggling to stay afloat due to Covid-19.
“Your behaviour is disgraceful, shortsighted and down right unhelpful,” he wrote in the caption beneath a photograph of Russell Crowe from the film 300.
“YOU are putting people’s jobs more at risk,” he continued.
“We put staff levels to the number of covers booked and when you fail to turn up, it now costs us, which in turn will force very uncomfortable and hard decisions about staffing levels.
“You are the worst kind of guest, and that is ‘selfish’. I hope you have good look at yourselves.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments