A Michelin-starred chef has stirred controversy by asking applicants to send a photo with their CV when applying for a job at his restaurant – but he insisted: ‘I don’t want to f*** them, just carry plates for me.’
Michael O’Hare sparked a backlash on Twitter when he announced he was looking to hire someone to join the front-of-house team at The Man Behind the Curtain in Leeds on a full-time contract for around £24,000 a year.
But he was accused of running a ‘vanity project’ after asking prospective candidates to send in a recent picture of themselves with their application.
Michael O’Hare sparked a backlash on Twitter when he announced he was looking to hire someone to join the front of house team at The Man Behind the Curtain, in Leeds, on a full-time contract, for around £24,000 a year
Explaining himself, he tweeted: ‘For the record photos with a CV is a popular euro thing and it makes it easy to identify people afterwards. ‘It’s not a discrimination thing I don’t care about colour gender or looks ..I’m not trying to f**k them I just want them to carry plates for me’
O’Hare, who became prominent following his colourful appearances on The Great British Menu and MasterChef, rebutted the accusations and said it was a common practice in top European restaurants.
Explaining himself, he tweeted: ‘For the record photos with a CV is a popular euro thing and it makes it easy to identify people afterwards.
‘It’s not a discrimination thing I don’t care about colour gender or looks ..I’m not trying to f**k them I just want them to carry plates for me.’
His response prompted further criticism and prompted a fresh debate over whether candidates should be asked to provide a photograph when applying for a job.
On Sunday evening O’Hare tweeted: ‘I’m looking for a career driven person to join my front of house team. 45 hrs per week. Package circa 24k Xmas and New Years off… and an opportunity to do cool stuff with us .. email … with CV, cover letter and recent photo pls rt.’
Twitter users were split over whether O’Hare was justified in his request.
O’Hare, who became prominent following his colourful appearances on The Great British Menu (pictured centre left, standing alongside two-Michelin starred chef Marcus Wearing), rebutted those accusations and said it was a common practice in top European restaurants
One replied: ‘And how much do you want to bet the photo has everything to do with what the person looks like!!!! Vanity project!’
Luke Wood tweeted: ‘Recent photo? what for exactly? Never heard of a job advertisement ask for a photo.’
HR consultant, Abi, responded: ‘Oh god… as a HR consultant I’m torn! Salary/hours OK for entry level hospitality, but ‘recent photo’ – perhaps inviting discrimination (be careful) – I also agree they must look right for MBTC.’
Rich Hines directed O’Hare to adverts for other Michelin-starred restaurants and chefs. He tweeted: ’45hrs a week. 24k. Recent photo? In every sense, no. Go look at recent adverts from Raby Hunt and Sat Bains.’
And Jas Swan posted: ‘I’m from Europe and I think the British concept of no picture is much better cause subconsciously looks will go into the decision making.
O’Hare won The Great British Menu with a dish called ‘Emancipation’ – a fish dish inspired by fish and chips served on a canvas
‘If you are hiring one or two people, surely you’ll roughly be able to identify the chosen candidates afterwards? ‘
Paul Main tweeted in response to O’Hare’s defense of his advert, posting: ‘I just want them to carry plates for me’ that’s worse.
‘How about I want to teach them the finer art of hospitality. I want them to understand my philosophy of hard work to get where you want to go to. ‘
Many jumped to the defence of the chef, suggesting that the hours and wages were ideal for someone trying to break into the hospitality industry.
Lucinda Hardman tweeted: ‘Jesus people! Leave the man alone! He’s given valid reasons and is offering an amazing opportunity to someone who wants to thrive in the hospitality industry! The hours and salary are amazing too!’
O’Hare’s restaurant The Man Behind the Curtain, which boasts Squab pigeon with rhubarb hoisin, and a take on the legendary French chef Pierre Koffman’s signature pigs trotter dish, dubbed ‘Pierre Gothman’ as permanent fixtures on his menu
O’Hare’s restaurant The Man Behind the Curtain, boasts Squab pigeon with rhubarb hoisin, and a take on the legendary French chef Pierre Koffman’s signature pigs trotter dish, dubbed ‘Pierre Gothman’, as permanent fixtures on his menu.
Martha McKinley, an employment law expert at Stephensons LLP said: ‘While there is no specific legislation preventing an employer requesting a picture of a candidate before an interview, it is heavily frowned upon.
‘If you have five candidates, for example, and only one is then recruited, the remaining four could suggest that they weren’t taken on because of discriminatory practices.
‘This could then lead to legal action and further tarnish the employer’s reputation.’
MailOnline has approached Michael O’Hare’s representatives for comment.