Fans of (vegan) burgers or ramen soup did not get their due these last few months in De Refter. The university restaurant was plagued by a staff shortage – an aftermath of covid. The manager promises more counters will soon reopen.

After the opening of the renewed Refter in 2019, gourmets on campus could indulge themselves. Hamburgers from the Green Egg barbecue, fresh wok meals and Italian pizza’s suddenly belonged to the gastronomic supply of food.

Until covid arrived in 2020. For two years, the Refter was alternated between being closed and partially opened, often with restrictions. Many students who worked at the Refter as a side job left and started working elsewhere.

More efficient and flexible

Since the covid restrictions were let go, the staff shortage is clearly visible at the university restaurant: most times visitors can only get a meal at half of the counters. What also plays a part, according to manager Rens Janssen, is that the demand is not yet as big as before covid. ‘Many people still study or work from home.’

To work more efficiently and flexible with less staff, a couple of measurements were taken. The espresso machine with a piston, for example, was replaced with a fully automatic and when the university is asked to cater, they sell bought-in products or meals. In the Refter sandwiches are still freshly prepared, Janssen emphasises.

Training

‘Meanwhile we have enough staff again’, the manager reassures. The permanent staff remained in service of the university, but to facilitate other services the restaurants makes use of ninety student employees. The last few months were used to fill any vacancies.

It does however take some time before a student employee can participate fully in the Refter, Janssen explains. Especially the students who prepare the food need to be trained. ‘We are fully focusing on that right now.’

The manager hopes that the Refter can run at full capacity again somewhere in the coming months. Whether all counters will be opened again in the new academic year, Janssen can not say for certain. ‘But at least more often then is the case right now.’