Since I moved to NYC (almost two years ago), I noticed how much the hospitality industry has grown. Although, I encountered this immense growth in the last decade in Las Vegas and Washington D.C. (cities I lived and worked in prior to my move here), the consequences are most apparent in NYC.
First obvious consequence is the lack of quality or wide range of mediocrity, especially when it comes to restaurants. 9/11 became the turning point for the restaurant industry. It wasn't so much the horrific event, but the economically forced transformation from the few really good, extravagant and uber expensive restaurants that dominated the big city landscape, to many affordable local spots that are all over our big cities. Two major things happened. People stopped dinning in these bastions of indulgence and the "Restaurant Week" created a new phenomenon.
Although, there are still a few Michelin rated restaurants left, the "Restaurant Week" showed us that you could go out and eat affordably on daily basis. As a result, restaurants with selection under $20 mushroomed everywhere. The obvious positives are, cheap food and every possible cuisine you can imagine within walking distance from your home. Unfortunately, the negatives are striking. The food is mediocre at best (there are exceptions) and the level of service and the talent available is alarming, which is the second consequence of the industry's growth.
The third reason is the media and the "celebrity chefs." The enormous power of the American media has once more transformed an industry and a way of life. In its neverending quest for more, the media found a perfect new tool to attract the bored, the chefs and their huge egos. The only problem being, they never cook or better said they never cook for their patrons.
In the next several postings I will tackle different aspects of my industry for which I have an immense passion and desire to try to bring back some of the "old school" and combine it with the exciting new restaurant landscape.
interesting
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