From the Tisza to the Danube…

The recommendation of the Michelin Guide was good advertisement for us, but I am more proud of the Gundel Award that we won last year, as this recognition comes from the trade. Professionally, in 2022 we managed to return to the place where we had been before Covid. We have the biggest problems with labour force: there aren’t enough skilled workers. We get by in the restaurant, but for instance last year we operated a food truck that visited festivals, and this year I am not sure that I will have the team for that. Everyone is looking for cooks and waiters in this region, but basically there aren’t any – and those who are available don’t have the necessary knowledge and skills.

In spite of the hardships, I am hopeful about 2023. Macok does very well and the hotel also performs as we have expected it. April and May were very good months for us this year. We had to increase prices by 20% in the bistro – the price rise should have been bigger, but guests are very price-sensitive. There is a new grill terrace in the bistro and the hotel has new boilers. In the summer a lot will depend on the price of electricity, as the air conditioners electrically operated. //

I am convinced that hospitality was affected by the crisis differently in East Hungary than in the capital city and West Hungary. We were better prepared for it and we could rely on our regular customers, as we were less exposed to the recession in tourism. Covid taught us to survive, we learned good time and energy management, efficient product storage and active HR work. Our hotel is the easternmost 4-star hotel in Hungary, and we are prepared for everything – we could even operate a smart hotel!

Our restaurant cooks simple dishes from high quality, locally sourced ingredients. Fenyves owns 60 hectares of land, farm land and orchards too, and we also have a local produce supplier that is situated only 6km from us. I am optimistic about the future, there is a conversation between the different representatives of the trade now. My view is that it isn’t Hungarian regions that should compete with each other: it is the trade that should represent our shared interests, for instance by persuading potential guests to spend their holiday in Hungary. //