Newregulationsforrestaurantsmeannewexpectations
for diners.GEORGIEMEREDITHlaysoutthegolden
rules for group dining this party season.
MIND
over
MANNERS
P
artyseasonis uponus– thattimeofyear,kickingoffinNovember,when
elatedsummergatheringsmergewithChristmasfestivitiesandeveryday
oftheweekfeelslikeanoccasion.Traditionally,it’sa timewhenfriends,
colleaguesandlovedonesgatheringroupsanddescenduponourcities’
barsandrestaurantstodrinkanddine,creatingthatinfectious,flirtatiousenergy
onemightwitnessat a musicfestival.
Thisyear,however,is lookinga littledifferent;restaurantsacrossthecountry
arerequiredtocomplywitha new,uncompromisingsetofrulesputinplaceby
theGovernmenttominimisethespreadofCovid-19.Thisincludesstrictphysical
distancingandtablerestrictionsinsomestates;alcoholcanonlybeservedto
seateddiners,menusmustbelaminated,andself-servebuffetsarea definiteno.
There’salsoa caponthenumberofguestsallowedtodineina venueat anyone
time,withnumbersdifferingfromstatetostate.
KaneWay,operationsmanagerat TheApolloinSydney,believesunderstanding
theseregulationsis thekeytobeinga graciousguestinthecurrentdiningclimate.
“Therearemoreregulationsaroundrestaurantsthaneverbefore,andthat’sa big
adjustmentfortherestaurantandtheguests,”saysWay.“Butit’saboutkeeping
everyonesafe.”
It is withthesenewrulesforrestaurantsthat,consequently,anothersetemerges
fordiners,particularlythoseingroups.Here,withguidancefromthreefront-of-
house experts, we lay out the golden rules for group dining this party season.