Overwhelming number of reunion dinner reservations

PETALING JAYA: Reunion dinner reservations at restaurants are almost all taken up, with operators reporting overwhelming response.

Many of the operators are hiring part-time workers to cope with the high demand for tables. Some are even planning for two rounds of the reunion dinner in order to accommodate more customers.

The reunion dinner is a special time for family members and clans to come together, share a meal, celebrate, and enjoy each other’s company.

Pan Malaysia Koo Soo Restaurants and Chefs Association president Wong Teu Hoon said Chinese restaurants in Melaka were already 80% booked as of now for the dinner.

He said many restaurant owners have decided to stay open for business from Feb 9 to Feb 24.

“Due to the overwhelming number of reservations, we are facing a worker shortage. Despite hiring part-time staff, we still do not have enough hands. And costs have tripled,” he said.

Wong said the annual reunion dinner was an essential family gathering that most in the Chinese community would not miss.

In Melaka, he said popular 10-person set menus are priced from RM1,388 to RM2,000.

“Private rooms in the restaurants are fully booked. Only open seating is available,” he added.

Malaysia Selangor and Federal Territory Ku Su Shin Chung Hung Restaurants Association deputy president Justin Hor Chee Keong said reunion dinners in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur were nearly 95% booked, with popular set menus for a table of 10 priced between RM1,988 and RM3,688.

“We have two rounds for the reunion dinner. The first is from 5pm to 7.30pm. The second is from 8pm to 10pm. The booking volume has returned to the level of three years ago,” he said.

In Penang, Penang Koo Soo Kwong Choon Tong Restaurant and Tea Shop Association chairman Vinah Yee said that 80% of the reunion dinners have been booked, with many making reservations a month in advance.

She said prices of ingredients have increased by 25% this year, and that these included Chinese mushrooms, sausages and sea cucumbers.

Popular reunion dinner set menus ranged between RM1,388 and RM1,988, she added.