“Cakeage” charge row
Over in Perth, a brawl has broken in social media out over diners complaining about being charged “cakeage”.
Some restaurants charge up to $25 a cake or $15 a person when people bring in their own dessert.
Crown Perth’s Nobu pastry chef Samad Khan feels so strongly about it that he’s defended the practice on Facebook.
“We as chefs don’t want to take advantage of your celebrations, but please realise that we are still entitled to be paid for something you want us to do FOR YOU! Stop expecting everything free or complimentary,” Khan posted.
“It’s hospitality people ... you want free cake cutting then go to your mumma’s house.”
He said it needed a service charge because of the work involved.
“I have to cut your cake perfectly, evenly (I use rulers!), divide up edible decorations to go on the plate, provide sides if asked for, carefully put it back without damaging what is usually a mangled cake TO BEGIN WITH (I’ve gotten cakes that look like they’ve been sat on I swear),’’ he said.
“All of this is usually done on a bloody Saturday night when I’m hip deep in dessert orders and all the other servers are having kittens wondering why I’m not plating their desserts.”
The result was a huge debate on PerthNow’s Facebook page.
Trainee chef at Nobu Perth, Vinnie Nguyen weighed into the debate and let Khan know exactly how he felt.
The question, he said, is why a top chef can’t cut up a cake for free in a fine dining restaurant.
“You are bringing something outside of their premises — a building they pay for, a kitchen they have to maintain, chefs they pay to create some of the best desserts in Perth, expecting them to cut and serve the cake, and asking the dishes to be washed by dish washing staff that they will also have to pay,” Mr Nguyen posted.
“Nobu offers quality service of the highest standard.
“Learn to respect the hard efforts of others, and not ask why a top quality chef can’t cut cake for free and serve them on paper plates in a fine dining restaurant.”
Significantly, his comment was liked by more than 145 people.
by Leon Gettler, October 31st 2016
