Tuesday, August 09, 2022

The bitter taste of Brexit

Having experienced the cooking and hospitality at La Cuina on a busy Saturday night only three months ago, I was stunned to learn that our local independent tapas restaurant is to shut its doors.

The closure certainly couldn't be attributed to poor-quality food or lack of custom, and owner Montserrat Prat's announcement hinted at the strains of running a family business and a desire to bow out on a high without compromising standards.

Speaking to Wales Online's Eve Rowlands, however, she was more candid, pointing the finger of blame firmly at Brexit. Not only has it made importing small quantities of speciality ingredients from Catalonian producers much more complex and expensive, it's also had a devastating impact on the restaurant's ability to recruit personnel. As if the immediate impact and long-term fall-out from the pandemic wasn't bad enough.

So, this act of utter folly claims another casualty, and Prat's comments suggest that La Cuina won't be the last such eaterie to capitulate in what is a horrendously challenging environment.

If you're local, get yourself along there sharpish while you still have the chance. That mountain lamb is going to be sorely missed.

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