From now on, guests with hearing and visual impairments will receive special attention at the Gundel restaurant. The waiting staff have learnt basic sign language in both English and Hungarian, whilst those with visual impairments can discover the history behind the dishes at Hungary’s most famous restaurant via a Braille menu. A short film about Gundel, directed by Péter Bergendy, has also been produced and is available from today.

Sign language and Braille

Attentiveness and respect are key pillars of the City Park restaurant, where, from now on, guests with hearing or visual impairments can enjoy the authentic Gundel experience to the full. The waiting staff have learnt the ten most important sign language gestures for guests in both English and Hungarian, whilst a Braille menu detailing the history of the dishes helps to provide an even higher standard of service for those with visual impairments. In addition to all this, accessibility is also a priority throughout the restaurant.

Gundel is particularly proud that its team is made up of an inclusive community which works day in, day out to ensure that everyone feels at home there. This Gundel hospitality, which is also extended to people with disabilities, is illustrated in a short film shot recently by the renowned director, who, amongst other things, The exam and the Post Mortem It was created by Péter Bergendy, who has also directed works with titles such as […]. As well as its emotional value, the short film also has educational significance.

The film director said: the short film produced in collaboration with Gundel is a deeply human story which, as well as offering a glimpse into the workings of this unique restaurant with its rich history and ever-evolving character, also presents a fine example of people looking out for one another – a value that is increasingly being lost in today’s world. This is precisely why it is important that we remind ourselves time and again just how simple an act paying attention is, and yet what everyday miracles it can bring about.

Legendary hospitality

Jenő Magyary, Managing Director of Gundel, confirmed that, alongside its legendary hospitality, social responsibility and sensitivity have always been part of Gundel’s core values, and have shaped the attitude of the staff here, which is now also evident in the care and attention shown towards guests with visual and hearing impairments.

The two founding owners of the Eventrend Group, which operates Gundel, Zoltán Kőrössy and Gábor Nagy, said: Károly Gundel ran the City Park restaurant – founded in 1894 and later named after him – with the intention that its doors should be open to everyone. He shaped Gundel into a place defined by hospitality, culinary artistry and the preservation of tradition – a place where it is always a pleasure to visit. This is the legacy that the current operator, Eventrend, fully embraces and continues to enrich.

The filmmakers plan to submit the short film to festivals and competitions.