Looking for a job: Chef

Hi Chris, I can't tell the future, but Spain is in lock-down at the moment because of the incompetence of people in high places and more in low places failing to act quick enough to prevent Covid-19 spreading.

If you were a beautician, hairdresser, nail technician I'd have advised you to stay away from Spain. But, you are in the catering industry. You have a chance. When the travel restrictions are lifted, you could do worse than coming on a recce mission. I get the feeling you have the drive to make that mission successful.

Best of Luck and if you speak good Spanish you've made yourself much more luck.

I was thinking of coming over in a years time to look into a few things and do a bit of recon. Hopefully find some work for few weeks while there. What areas do you think could be worth looking into? I'm aiming at villaricos, mojacar, Vera, garrucha and surrounding areas as I know these areas and like them. 

I'd concentrate on Mojacar Playa only if I were you

there are already a couple of British bars in the Villaricus area and in other places along the coast like Puerta Rey, Bouganvillas in Garrucha.  Garrucha is mainly Spanish run.  As Matthew says Mojacar Playa is where the most Brit run places are but after the virus is defeated how many will come back we will have to wait and see.  A lot may see their business ruined and have to give up so there may be opportunities if you have the funds to invest.  

I've been to all of the bars in villaricos, I know of the English run ones there. Haven't spent much time in garrucha just thought looked quute busy so might have the necessary foot fall. Have been to mojacar playa quite a few times and I do agree it may offer the best choice and opportunities. I do have majority of funds in place to make the operational however have a lot of research to do. 

In you opinions do you feel that the local in the smaller places like villaricos for example would frequent an English run bar? With the consideration that the food would be a mix of Spanish and modern European? 

Chris (my opinion for what it is worth) - If you open a bar/restaurant you will have to do something different from what's going on locally. Let's face it, if I want fish 'n' chips there are many that provide such and most are equally bland. But, if you're providing good alternatives I'd be seeking out your place rather than you seeking me.

It's not easy to make a bar/restaurant a good investment. You sound like a man having a passion to provide some good food. Follow that passion.

Well thank you, yeah I am passionate about food. Thanks for the advice. The idea is to offer breakfast, lunch and dinner, small, cost effective menus, fresh local produce and a mix of local dishes, classic English dishes. As your probably aware Spanish produce is some of the best in the world. Also I do agree with you there are so many places doing the usual fish and chips and fried breakfasts. I feel the market gap is for small menu, fresh produce. 

Just a thought and no offence is meant to anybody in Puerto Rey, Villa Ricos or any other place. Chris needs to make money for most of the year (just my opinion). He needs a place like Mojacar Playa where he can exploit the customer base which dwindles in the off season.

I would encourage Chris to travel to Spain during November or December or January or February to monitor the real situation. If he is not frightened off by the scaled down opportunities in those months he can drive on. But tred carefully . . . and ensure you're not returning to the UK loaded with debts.

Hi Chris,  we have been successfully running a small restaurant in Palomares for 13years. If you would like some advice on the running of a small business here in Spain then don't hesitate to contact us, and yes! we will be opening back up when all this is over! Regards Lesley