May I suggest a simple solution to the lack of chefs in Vancouver restaurants?  Pay more!   How can a restaurant afford this ?  By raising menu prices.   It's a fact of life that over time , all prices rise and that includes the price of meals at  a high end restaurant that requires a chef to run the kitchen.      The alternative to having a chef is spelled out in the article - decreased hours , less business and in the end less revenue.  Explain the increased costs to customers .  Most people are reasonable and will understand