A good-willed man

István Rápolthy, the owner of Tuba Tanya restaurant nearby Hajdúszoboszló was named ‘Restaurateur of the Year’ by MVI. He told our magazine that this is not his first recognition as he was formerly awarded with several prizes, for instance with the Pro Turismo prize in 2008. He is also a member of MNGSZ and of the Masters Club. He undertook working in MVI’s presidency because he likes the ideas of new president László Kovács and feels the great potential in the organisation. His task is a bit more difficult than he expected because it is very difficult to convince people to become members. Mr Rápolthy reckons that MVI’s main job is to represent the profession through the interests of its members. When asked about the secrets behind his success, he told that his hospitality is the key, together with more than three decades of experience, people skills, language skills, respect for traditions and serving quality food in the right portions to guests. He explained that Tuba Tanya is not a classic restaurant but an amalgam of rural tourism and a culinary entertainment centre, offering complex services, of which good food is only one. After the place opened in 1995, German guests kept coming in high numbers. Economic recession changed this but Hungarians are loyal to Tuba Tanya and young people really like the programmes, too. They often host company events – groups are coming even from the western part of Hungary.