Chef Stiven Vunić says Croatian restaurant staff now out‑earn diners

Chef Stiven Vunić, known from the TV show “Igra chefova” and owner of the Kvarner restaurant Zijavica, warned that many workers in Croatia’s hospitality sector now have higher purchasing power than the guests they serve. He told the Tipsy.hr podcast that “guests have become poorer than the people who work in restaurants,” arguing that a healthy service industry requires patrons to be able to spend more than the staff.

Vunić stressed he was referring to employees such as waiters and cooks, not owners, and described the situation as a “call to alarm” for the sector. The comment sparked a lively debate on social media, with some praising his candor and others criticizing the view as dismissive of broader price‑level issues. The discussion also highlighted rising operational costs – over 20 % in the past two years – and rising wages for hospitality staff, adding pressure to restaurant profitability.

The remarks have drawn attention to broader challenges facing Croatia’s tourism‑driven hospitality industry, including labour shortages, cost inflation and the need for balanced pricing strategies.