Pro hospitio

László Kovács, president of the Guild of Hungarian Restaurateurs (MVI) has been in office for 10 years.

You have been working for the trade for 10 years. Was it worth it?

László Kovács
president
Guild of Hungarian Restaurateurs

I have always been the kind of man who feels part of a community. I didn’t start this type of work 10 years ago but before – I like to do things for others. In my calendar 60-70 percent of the notes refer not to La Fiesta-related task, and not even to MVI, but to BGE, the public sector catering programme, my consulting work and search for sponsors.

You give so much, but what do you get in return?

One represents the interests of others not because they want something in return, but because they have inner drive. Still, it was a great feeling when the Gundel Vocational Secondary School sent a whole class to help when we were preparing for the arrival of the flood in our headquarters.

No matter how much work you do, you seem to enjoy yourself. How can you stay so relaxed?

It is in the Jacuzzi where I can relax the best. Plus I also like the feeling that it makes me richer if I give more than I take.

Would you say yes to a fourth term as MVI’s president?

As a matter of fact I didn’t even want the third one, but this is how things worked out. The first four years were very intensive. At the same time I have also become very experienced in this period. Our work is easier than that of our predecessors: We can organise MVI’s work from Budapest and Bernadett Bíró is perfect for the operative work.

How can the interests of the trade be represented successfully?

MVI represents the interests of the owners of hospitality units, but works together with other organisations in cases that affect the whole trade. We aren’t fighting for privileges, what we want is a sensible legal environment. Currently our biggest project is trying to establish an nationwide entrepreneur-friendly inspection system. //