AA guide loses key staff after buyout bid row

The editor of the AA restaurant guide has been sacked and several inspectors have resigned following a bid for a management buyout of the guides produced by the organisation.

Inspectors and other staff said that following an approach by City financiers eight inspectors had backed a buyout of AA Hotel Services from Centrica, which bought the AA last September. They believed they could do a better job with the guides, tackle certain problems and triple turnover.

But after plans were leaked before a meeting with senior management, the inspectors were temporarily suspended and editor Liz Carter's contract was severed. Several inspectors have subsequently resigned. When combined with recruitment problems and other departures, this has left the 28-strong team seven members down.

Insiders believe that between 30 and 40 inspectors are necessary to cope with the explosion in restaurant numbers. They say that the shortage of inspectors has meant many restaurant ratings are two or three years out of date, and that restaurateurs have been struggling to get inspections to meet the June deadline for the new restaurant guide.

Keith Braidwood, whose Braidwoods restaurant in Dalry, Ayrshire, won a Michelin star this year, waited two-and-a-half years for an inspection for his third rosette, which he hopes to have won for the 2001 guide. Another chef, who was recommended for a fourth rosette last year and narrowly missed one the year before, is still awaiting his inspection before the June inspection deadline for the 2001 guide.

A major problem identified by insiders and restaurateurs was the link-up with the hotel guide. As hotels pay for inspections and restaurants don't, hotels are perceived to take priority on visits. This has led to the inclusion of hundreds of one-rosette hotel restaurants in the restaurant guide whereas stand-alone restaurants may have to wait longer for inspections.

The AA refused to comment on Carter's dismissal, the resignations of other inspectors or criticisms of recent inspection policy. But in a statement it said: "The future of the guides is assured and the hotel and restaurant industry - as well as our readers - can be confident that the quality and excellence of the guides will remain unchallenged."

by Angela Frewin

Source: Caterer & Hotelkeeper magazine, 27April - 3 May 2000