Food trade hit by drugs crisis
Drug and alcohol addiction has reached crisis level among chefs, licensees and other hospitality workers.
According to the Ark Foundation, part of industry charity Hospitality Action, drug and alcohol dependency has reached critical levels.
Ninety-nine per cent of hospitality workers believe the industry is facing a serious problem and ten per cent of employees are suffering from addiction.
And, according to the Ark Foundation, which provides drug and alcohol awareness seminars to students and chefs, up to 14 million working days are lost every year as a result of alcohol-related illness.
Chefs and licensees work long hours in stressful environments where alcohol is readily available. They are known to be particularly susceptible to addiction, so the Ark has launched an initiative to fight the growing crisis.
Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver, who grew up in a pub, and Michelin-starred chef Heston Blumenthal, owner of the Fat Duck in Bray, have been recruited as honorary vice chairmen of the Ark to raise awareness of the problem and promote the Ark's seminars on alcohol and drug abuse.
"Although never a part of my life, I have experienced chefs whose careers have faltered and failed, simply because the problem was not addressed," said Mr Oliver. "The Ark addresses the issue."
Mr Blumenthal added: "This beautiful industry of ours is demanding and the quest for excellence and standards can be all-consuming. I have met some who have fallen into the despair of addiction."
The Ark's awareness programme includes seminars on the effects of alcohol and drugs on the mind and body and the consequences of long-term drug use. It can be used as part of training for new and established staff members.
"The Ark provides a masterclass in dealing with the problems of excessive alcohol and drug use," said Mr Blumenthal.
"It does not shirk away from the real issues, rather faces them full on and brings out in the open a topic which has stayed in the shadows for so long."
For more information about the Ark Foundation and its training programmes contact Shelagh Jansen on 020 7301 2968 or email theark@hospitalityaction.org.uk.
