German restaurant in hot water over giant schnitzels
BERLIN | Wed Sep 22, 2010 12:02pm EDT
BERLIN (Reuters) - A German restaurant operator has run into trouble with local tax authorities because he makes larger-than-average schnitzels -- or veal cutlets -- for his customers in a working class section of Saxony. Gerhard Kaltscheuer said his giant schnitzels are popular in the town of Hammerbruecke and he sells about 70 dishes per day. He said tax officials told him they believe he sells 200 portions daily based on the amount of raw material he purchases. "If I served the customers smaller portions at the normal price like that, I wouldn't have any customers because that wouldn't fill them up," Kaltscheuer told Reuters. He said he makes his portions large because his customers are laborers.Kaltscheuer said he is protesting a demand from the tax authorities to pay more tax based on a higher number of food sales. His story has been reported widely in the German media and there was a rally on his behalf on Monday. A spokesman for the tax office, asked about Kaltscheuer's case, said that he was not able to discuss it.
(Writing by Michelle Martin; editing by Paul Casciato)
