The TMRW Project’s initiative, The Switch, will kick off across the UK for a nationwide ideas exchange that sees Front of House (FoH) staff switch their restaurants for up to one week.
The Switch, in its second year, is the FoH’s answer to the chef’s stage. It focuses on the people who act as conduits between the kitchen and the guest.
The TMRW Project is the brainchild of Dan Doherty (Duck & Waffle, London), writer Anna Sulan Masing and Emma Underwood (GM). Its objective is to invest in the chefs and hospitality of tomorrow.
On Monday 9 October 2017, The Switch will give waiters, managers, bartenders and sommeliers a chance to learn from their peers, experience different environments and be exposed to new ways of working.
This year’s participating restaurants (north and south UK) include The Clove Club, Where the Light Gets In, Pidgin, OXO, Native, Maray, NobleRot, Trinity, Magpie, Marcus Wareing Restaurants, Fat Duck, Hawksmoor Manchester and Coffee by Tate.
Emma Underwood, one third of the TMRW Project and General Manager of Manchester’s Stockport’s Where the Light Gets explained that the initiative will pair restaurants of different environments together based on varying size, location, style, and atmosphere.
Each host will ‘switch’ for 3-5 days. Throughout the week participants of The Switch will gain knowledge they can build on and take back to their own restaurants, developing new relationships across the industry that will last them throughout their careers, and learning the true art of collaboration.” One example of the collaboration is the pairing of The Fat Duck and Coffee by Tate, which both specialise in coffee.
“The thinking behind this initiative is simple. Every year the UK restaurant scene surpasses all of our expectations with a multitude of incredible talents that contribute to our title of being one of the most interesting countries in the world for culinary growth,” said a TMRW spokesperson.
“In one year alone, the UK saw 179 new restaurants open (Hardens 2016) proving big business for the hospitality industry. But with 56 restaurants closing in the same year, how do restaurateurs and chefs keep their doors open? The TMRW Project, the collaborative platform made for the industry, by the industry, knows that having a fantastic team is integral to success.”
Throughout every Switch, participants will document their switched environments across their social media platforms, through workshops, and bring back their experiences and expanded networks to their ‘home’ restaurants.
