Eat Out To Help Out: opinions from a foodie

After seeing the ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ scheme, I was automatically preparing for my bank account to be hit. I am a massive foodie and while I love cooking meals at home and experimenting with new recipes, nothing beats a sit down meal at a restaurant. 

However, as much as supporting the local high street and eating brilliant food sounds more than appealing, I do find it incredibly ironic. Not only has the Government issued the ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ scheme, they have also announced they will display calories on menus within restaurants. Whilst it is understandable that they are trying to aid the so-called ‘obesity crisis’ within the country, making the ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ scheme seems very hypocritical and counterproductive. This is especially apparent when the restaurants that can fill out for the scheme are not simply local high street restaurants. 

As much as I have loved eating Mayo Chicken burgers for 50p at McDonalds, adding McDonalds to the list of restaurants emphasises the mistake that the Government have made here. 

Saying that, I have immensely enjoyed eating out at different restaurants. Having the £10 discount has meant that I have been able to dine at restaurants that generally would not have been in my budget.  There is nothing like eating at a fancy restaurant whilst knowing that your bank account will not be crying once they give out the bill. 

Lunchtime is undoubtedly the best time to eat out. Even then, the restaurant is fully booked; there is no chance of getting a table now for dinner unless you do not book a couple of days before the engagement. Whilst this certainly can be annoying and means one cannot have a spontaneous dinner out, the fact that restaurants are being strict with guidelines and social distancing is very comforting. 

All the places I have eaten out – from Wetherspoons to my local Thai restaurant on the high street – have made all customers fill out a track and trace form. 

Once again, it is reassuring to see that these establishments are maintaining a good effort to keep their customers and staff safe. 

Eating out is not merely eating food. It is a chance to enjoy brilliant company, have a few drinks and appreciate cuisines from all over the world. The eat out to help out scheme has created a sense of normality. Going to restaurants is no longer a feature of the past anymore.

Madeleine Rosie Strom

Image by werner moser from Pixabay