About Attila Dogudan
Attila Dogudan, chairman and CEO of Do Aktiengesellschaft, has been interviewed on Austrian media regarding the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on his businesses. In February 2021, he expressed disappointment that restaurants would remain closed until after Easter, stating he had expected the decision but hoped for outdoor dining to be permitted. He said that without revenue, many businesses would struggle to survive, and he called for faster, more direct financial aid and a reduction in non-wage labor costs. In April 2021, he confirmed his restaurants would reopen on May 19 if allowed, noting that reservations were already filling up. He also mentioned that his event catering operations were resuming, including a 10-day event in Madrid with 2,000 guests per day.
During the Euro 2020 football championship in June 2021, Dogudan, whose company provided catering at Wembley Stadium, described the atmosphere as "diametrically opposed" — with rising COVID-19 case numbers causing concern while fans in the stadium celebrated. He expressed pride in being an Austrian service provider at Wembley and hoped for an Austrian victory against Italy. In a 2013 interview, Dogudan discussed his career trajectory, including how he secured a contract with Formula One after being asked if he could deliver catering in 10 days, and stated that success is not about money but about belief, vision, and hard work.
Source: AI-verified profile updated from Attila Dogudan's recent appearances.
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Transcript (10 segments)
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Interviewer0:00
First of all, we now switch to London, directly to Wembley Stadium. Actually, Austrian fans are banned today, no Austrians on site, almost no Austrians, one must say, because a single Austrian is holding the fort there: Attila Dogudan, the most famous restaurateur who does the catering there. Hello, welcome to Wembley Arena. How is it at Wembley Stadium? You have experienced several games there. How can one imagine it in this half-empty Wembley Stadium? Does any kind of atmosphere arise at all? How is it?
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Attila Dogudan0:40
So I have to say, the stadium is really special. Even with only 15 to 25 thousand, it's still an incredible atmosphere. It's a challenge for us. It's halftime, we have the fourth game today, four more until the final. We are particularly excited because we are the only Austrians here. We are just opening now, so the canton comes just in time. The next two hours are admission until the game starts. So far we haven't seen anyone else except our Austrian team and a few Austrian journalists. We'll see who else comes in two or three hours.
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Interviewer1:39
Maybe a little, how is the general mood in London? Because you read all the time about the delta variant and very strict quarantine rules in London and generally in Great Britain. That is also the reason why no Austrian fans are here today. How do you experience that? Is it somehow a new flare-up of the corona pandemic in England, or is it more of a media hysteria?
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Attila Dogudan2:02
So there is a very split mood here. On one side, the case numbers are increasing incredibly. You heard earlier that there are 18,000 cases, that's almost double in a week, which is already frightening. And I think the Rhinelanders, in the sense of the government, are very, very concerned about this development, especially since there is an extremely high question here. What we hear and learn is that one vaccination and no vaccination is not enough, with two vaccinations there is relatively high protection. That is one side. On the other hand, now the fans are coming into the stadium, and it really goes off, whether it's 15 or 25 thousand. Soon it will be 40, and the semi-final and final even 60,000. So the fans come in, take off their masks, have a beer, a second, a third, and then it's basically the same atmosphere as usual. So that's the diametrical mood we experience here.
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Interviewer3:09
What are the general safety precautions at Wembley Stadium? Do you have to be tested to get in, or are there other measures? What rules apply for the fans?
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Attila Dogudan3:20
So there is basically high security, to be honest. Even when we come in, we are also permanently tested. On the IDs, there are electronic QR codes everywhere, where you are checked 100 times, and you have to return some bands after the game so that everything goes properly. So organizationally, it is perfect and with, I think, the highest security that is even possible for an event. So that's okay. The problem is when the fans come in and after such a long time they see the stadium again and have fun and have access to alcohol, then they get a bit, how should I say, outside of maybe still...
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Interviewer4:04
Finally, what are the fans offered today? What is on the menu?
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Attila Dogudan4:09
So we always have the playing teams on the menu, yes, roast versus Wiener Schnitzel. I hope that the wind is clear that the butcher's Wiener Schnitzel, why against Schwenker, that could end in a draw, but bottom line, one goal more for Austrian cuisine. We are proud that we are here as an Austrian service company in Wembley, so to speak, as the host. I hope that not only we are in the final, maybe even the Austrians advance. And so we look forward to the game. And final advice: when eating, always go for Austria.
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Interviewer4:09
What is your tip for the match today?
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Attila Dogudan4:47
I can only tip for the sensation. There is no question that the Italians are the more experienced team, but it's a tournament. We saw in the last game how the Germans against Hungary were simply fourth in the group 6 minutes before the end. I think it's possible here, and our boys are extremely motivated, you can feel it. Heart and soul, they have it all here. More of a sensation than that Italy is the designated winner. I hope Austria wins.
