Albany Chamber president steps up to handle the kitchen heat in worker shortage

The president of the Albany Chamber of Commerce and Industry David Steytler is back in the kitchen as head chef at the White Star Hotel because of worker shortages. Mr Steyler, the co-owner of the White Star and Three Anchors, has struggled to fill positions at both venues, especially for skilled jobs such as chefs and senior front-of-house staff. He has made the call to cease serving dinner at Three Anchors, slashing business by one third. At the White Star, where hours have also been cut, he has taken on the role of head chef. “There was a shortage of chefs before — it has always been a hard area,” he said. “But I think with the borders closed and the hospitality industry in WA being super-busy, this year has been a lot harder. “It has never been to the extent where it has affected our trading hours, which it is at the moment. “I enjoy being in (the kitchen) again but it does make it harder to manage the business side of it.” The easing of border restrictions has allowed Mr Steytler to fill the position of head chef at the White Star, but it will be some weeks before the replacement arrives. “I am hoping now that the borders are easier to get through that our pools of staff will be more available,” he said. Mr Steytler said the worker shortage was getting to a point where it could affect the area’s reputation. “Business confidence is definitely increasing but there are a lot of people in various industries struggling to find staff, and that doesn’t seem to be getting better,” he said. “Albany is so busy that we should be taking advantage of the opportunity to create business. “There are a lot of people in town that are struggling to find places to eat, especially early in the week, because a lot of places aren’t open.”