Hibiscus, a two Michelin-starred restaurant, cuts opening hours in the name of staff wellbeing

Hibiscus, a two Michelin-starred restaurant, has slashed its opening times in an effort to improve its workers “quality of life”, BigHospitality reports.

The decision is by no means the first of its kind – BigHospitality reports that fellow Michelin-starred chef James Close cut weekday lunch shifts at The Raby Hunt to encourage employee creativity, while chef Sat Bains introduced a four-day working week at his restaurant in November 2015, with salaries and bonuses remaining the same, to aid retention at the cost of a “six-figure hit” – but it does indicate the beginning of a minor precedent being set in an industry infamous for gruelling hours and high staff turnover.

Two lunch services (Tuesday and Wednesday) have been jettisoned by Hibiscus, so lunch shifts only run Thursday to Saturday. Dinner shifts will operate Tuesday to Saturday.  

Claude Bosi, owner of Hibiscus, spoke to BigHospitality about the decision: “I want to have one very strong team in the restaurant – both front of house and in the kitchen – so shortening the working week, and our opening hours, is the best solution.