Eating to Live

@1humblepalateThe current global pandemic that is wreaking havoc in this country has brought about a lot of loss in many different spheres of life.

Relationships, businesses, the ‘normal’ day-to-day way of doing things: Nothing has been spared.

The question you may be asking is what does this have to do with food?

Well, in essence, Covid-19 has affected every single individual in every industry one way or another; none can at this moment say they have not felt the effect of this pandemic.

Many groups have been shaken. Some are still standing strong, while others have been shattered.

One such group of people is very dear to my heart: restaurateurs.

You see, apart from being a wanna-be ‘super home cook’ (and taking you along the journey) I also am, like most, a lazy dweeb, who would like nothing more than eating out every other day, if the budget allows.

That is where I fell in love not only with food from particular outlets and spots, but with the people who passionately share their food journey and stories with the world. You see, the Namibian food scene is not too complicated.

Our small population (in comparison with the rest of the region) allows us to keep things ‘smaller’.

Granted this limits us in terms of options and variety, it allows the people in the market the space to do what they do well.

Do they usually take advantage of this game, rigged in their favour? Well, that’s a conversation for another day.

This current global health crisis has by no means spared Namibia, but on quite the opposite end of the scale, it has exposed us to some vulnerabilities.

It has hit the food industry hard.

One needs to take into account that before anything else is considered the profit margins in the industry are very minimal, and for food businesses to really do well the numbers have to pour in.

With restrictions, curfews and lockdowns, that was not going to be sustainable for many, and so, after the first major wave, many spots had to close down.

The ones that made it quickly diversified their business offering, partnering with delivery apps and companies, offering the same quality of food in the comfort and safety of one’s home.

But Namibians started eating out less, understandably, and not many people rushed to getting takeout delivered at home.

Many opted more for homecooked meals, stockpiling recipes from their favourite food bloggers, chefs and foodies.

This has affected many restaurants’ bottom lines, and the only options have been to either drop staff and hope to stay afloat, or close doors entirely.

Kitchen staff, waiters, hosts, security guards, managers, accountants, bartenders – the list is endless.

Each of these individuals have responsibilities, bills, families, and lives.

All of that has faded away, and it’s forecast to get worse before it gets better.

So, how do you play your part in saving jobs and an industry as an individual?

If you were one to always eat out once or twice a week, don’t stop.

Just do it safely.

1. Bring the restaurant home. A lot of restaurants now offer a delivery service, albeit at an extra cost (definitely less than what you’d spend on a taxi or fuel). So, get in touch with that spot you like, and get the food.

3. Big family? Host a takeout party as often as you can. Order a variety of meals from different places. It makes it all fun, and you get to play your small part in helping out as many places as you can at the same time.

Remember, the little you contribute makes a difference, so even when you tip, tip with the mindset that this may be the last day of service this restaurant or outlet is open for, as I experienced a couple of weeks ago.

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