Since Caterer and Kitchen Rat ran stories on a crisis of identity at the AA, the response has been overwhelming, with chefs, restaurateurs and hoteliers quick to stick the knife in the one time industry icon. Try some of these quotes for size:
"What is frustrating is the inconsistency in the inspections and the demoralising tactics which affect the staff."
Name and address supplied
"It's lost credibility with chefs, it's lost credibility with restaurateurs and it's lost credibility with hoteliers. People are fed up with the hypocrisy of being told 'do this or don't that'. Well, the reason we are a successful business is because we are individual, we don't want to be packaged up with this conglomerate. I think it is the wrong way to go and I think the guide will struggle against accusations that it is doing all of this to turn a big profit."
Michael Caines, executive chef, Gidleigh Park, Devon
"The inspector [at a recent inspection] informed us that he thought the food was one rosette standard and that we would be re examined with a view to taking one rosette away, however we might wish to buy the AA consultancy service in order to make sure we were producing what they were looking for. Neither ourselves or our guests seem to feel that any such change is needed and the reasons given by the inspector are quite contrary to what has gone before, indeed they appeared to be somewhat contrived. We then saw your report in 'Caterer' and it all fell into place. We were being sold the consultancy idea in order to save a rosette."
Christopher Longden MIH, MI
But, amidst all the acrimony, does anyone have anything nice to say about the AA? Does is still do a job in some areas? Or is it the greedy-eyed money making machine many now see it as?
Caterer is hoping to print the best responses to this issue in the coming weeks so, if you have anything nice to say send it to the Rat's secretary Tom.vaughan@rbi.co.uk.
Of course, if you've got something derogatory to say, feel free to send that over instead.
