Yhangry Founder Debunks Chefs Shortage Myths in the Hospitality Industry
The co-founder of a private chef service startup claims that the idea of a chef shortage in the hospitality sector is misleading. Siddhi Mittal states that her company has no difficulties in hiring chefs, attributing this success to offering competitive wages.
“The greatest misconception in the hospitality sector is that there is a shortage of chefs. The real issue is economic in nature. When you offer around £8.50 an hour, it’s no surprise that you struggle to find applicants, as few people want to take those roles,” Mittal explained. Her company, Yhangry, is a London-based startup that has received backing from Michael Seibel of Y Combinator, a prestigious accelerator in Silicon Valley.
Since the pandemic and the subsequent workforce departure post-Brexit, the hospitality industry has indeed faced challenges in recruiting chefs. However, Mittal emphasizes that low compensation is a significant contributing factor. “We recognize that chefs typically have low earnings,” she remarked. Current data indicates that the average hourly wage for UK chefs is £13.33, whereas Yhangry’s chefs reportedly earn an average of £60.
Founded in 2019 by Mittal and her partner Heinin Zhang, Yhangry has recently secured £800,000 in funding. The company is actively preparing for expansion in the US market, aiming to establish a presence in 50 locations by the end of 2025.
The founders appeared on Dragon’s Den in 2020, where they received investment offers from Peter Jones and Tej Lalvani, which they ultimately turned down. They subsequently joined Y Combinator in 2022 to further develop their business.
While targeting growth in the US, Mittal confirmed that Yhangry will maintain its operations in the UK. She highlighted, “We aspire to expand globally, yet our roots are firmly in the UK. The US market provides substantial financial opportunities for consumer-based companies like ours.” Yhangry currently boasts annualized revenues of £6.4 million.
Yhangry is now focused on forming partnerships with short-term rental property owners, as 55% of their chef bookings come from holiday homes. The company has secured 100 partnerships with short-term rentals and has identified a potential pipeline of 3,000 more.
According to Mittal, “Demand for enhanced guest experiences in the holiday sector is surging. When you choose between a hotel and an Airbnb for a vacation, some guests prefer to cook, but many do not want to engage in household chores during their getaway. Our service offers a hotel-like experience at any Airbnb, allowing for a more luxurious stay.”
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