In a mentor role

What was it like for you when the pandemic broke out?

Ákos Bősze
business development
executive (HoReCa)
METRO

It was completely unexpected, but the trade reacted quickly: 7,000 bar and restaurant owners started offering home delivery during the first wave of the pandemic. The first ghost kitchens also appeared in Hungary – kitchens specialising in preparing food for home delivery only.

What is the quality of the delivered food like?

It is getting better and better, but it is still a little less good than the level of food served in a restaurant, as special cooking technologies need to be used and the dishes have to be suitable for delivery. Pizza, burgers, gyros, Wiener schnitzel and breaded fried cheese are the most popular.

What about more sophisticated consumers?

It seems that many people found comfort in good food during the lockdown, especially city dwellers from the 32-48 age group. METRO plays a big role in serving these food lovers.

How can METRO offer a helping hand to bar and restaurant owners?

We offer a digital package to partners, the main element of which is a website that can be prepared in 8 minutes. A home delivery module for the system has been developed quickly. In cooperation with Bocuse d’Or, we have delivered food to hospital and ambulance service workers on a daily basis – altogether 7,200 portions.

Then came the second wave …

METRO launched a parcel compiling service, covered shopping trolleys with special protective material and provided workers with protective equipment. We also started training programmes for the representatives of hospitality businesses.

What will the near future bring?

I think those restaurant owners can be successful after the pandemic who quickly identify changing guest needs and are able to adapt to
these. (x)