However, Twitter user Jam Lim recently highlighted the fact that there is a disproportionate difference between the prices of the food items on the menu and the wages given to their employees.
For instance, one of the signature dishes on the menu, the ‘Classic Beef Wellington’ costs RM290 per slice and 1.5kg of their ‘Tomahawk M 7’, beef that has been dry-aged for 42 days, costs a mind-boggling RM1,499. Meanwhile, their sides such as ‘Char-grilled Broccolini’ costs RM45 per plate.
The Gordon Ramsay restaurant in Malaysia charges RM300 per SLICE of beef Wellington, RM40 for mashed potatoes, and RM36/bottle of water but pays his waitstaff RM1.5k, sous chef RM5.5-7k only. Exploiting third world country labour, much? pic.twitter.com/juL8domwwX
— Jam Lim ???? (@TechieKitteh) October 11, 2022
She then pointed to the fact that despite the steep prices of the dishes, their hostesses are paid a mere RM1,500 to RM2,100 while their Sous Chefs, who are second in command in the kitchen, have a salary range of RM5,500 to RM7,700.
She went on to say that five slices of Beef Wellington added up to approximately one month’s salary of a hostess there, which is the minimum wage in the country.
As Jam aptly put it: “Exploiting third world country labour, much?”. After a quick check on the career portal Joblum where the positions were first posted, the listings are no longer available.
Jam mentioned that while the British chef doesn’t cook the food himself and that it is most probably operated by Sunway Resorts, he still holds responsibility as he legally owns and/or operates the establishment.
Hi all, pls be aware that Ramsay himself doesn't cook the food here, but he DOES legally "own/operate" the bar & grill in Malaysia. It is likely "operated" by Sunway Resorts in Malaysia on behalf of Ramsay (not sure). Either way, he is responsible still.https://t.co/duAqwB4RHe pic.twitter.com/UCggSf2TNF
— Jam Lim ???? (@TechieKitteh) October 13, 2022
Popular influencer @ivor_xianz had also previously reviewed the restaurant and highlighted the exorbitant prices such as their mineral water which costs RM36. She also commented that the Beef Wellington was worth the price but not any other dishes that she tried.
@ivor_xianz Finally got to try Gordon Ramsay restaurant in Sunway after 2 months of reservation ?? #gordonramsaymalaysia #ivortrying ♬ original sound - Ivor trying so u dont hve to
Another Twitter user chimed in that he had previously worked with Sunway and their wages were very low and that parking spots were not even provided.
asd
Others said that this is the cruel reality of the F&B life in Malaysia:
Its good to see that high end resto finally opened most people's eyes abt the true and cruel reality of f&b life in malaysia. Cuba all of you pergi makan mana mana restoran tanya staff gaji berapa. Lagi lagi BOH. Go lah. Tanya sekali workload byk tak.
— Az-1 (@azuansyakirin99) October 12, 2022
One user mentioned that our own country should also be criticised as the migrant and refugee communities are oppressed and used for cheap and disposable labour with no rights.
I think there is criticism to be made of Malaysia as well, keeping migrant and refugee communities oppressed which provides a lot of the F&B industry with cheap, disposable labour that doesn’t have rights.
— Lainie (@lainie) October 13, 2022
Image credit: sunwayhotels.com, @TechieKitteh