A former Great British Menu chef has banned vegans from his restaurant following a negative review online that criticised the lack of plant-based options on his menu.
Chef John Mountain of restaurant Fyre in Perth, Australia, recently took to Facebook to announce that ‘sadly all vegans are now banned from Fyre for mental health reasons. We thank you for your understanding’. The image was posted alongside the caption: ‘Yep. I’m done. #vegan #not #pleasegoelsewhere #veganfreezone #nomorevegans.’
The argument began after a customer left a bad review of the restaurant on social media complaining that Fyre didn’t offer enough vegan options during her visit.
Mountain explained that a young girl reached out to him to ask if there were any plant-based options on the menu, and he told her that he would be able to accommodate her.
However, the chef admitted that he forgot about the customer’s request due to being busy with another catering job. He also said that his sous chef reprimanded him for ‘not telling them about the vegan customer’.
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In his own words: ‘A young girl reached out to me and said she was coming to the restaurant… and asked if there were vegan options. It was my only shortfall… I said I would accommodate her, I said we had gnocchi, vegetables… and that was that.’
‘Saturday came around and sadly I’d forgotten… I had a private party I had to cater for.’
The unhappy customer posted about her experience on Facebook the next day. ‘I think it’s incredibly important nowadays that restaurants can accommodate everyone and to not be able to have actual plant-based meals shows your shortcomings as a chef.’
‘I hope to see some improvements in your menu as I have lived in Connolly for quite some time and have seen many restaurants come and go from that building and none of them last.
‘If you don’t get with the times, I don’t hold out faith that your restaurant will be the one that does.’
The heated repartee between chef and customer continued with Mountain firing back an angry response. He claimed that the woman’s review was ‘personal’ and replied: ‘Thanks for your negative review… please feel free to share your s**tty experience and I look forward to not seeing you again. You and all your vegan mates can all go and enjoy your dishes in another venue. You are now banned.’
John Mountain originally shot to fame in 2012 when he competed on Great British Menu. He shocked the nation after swearing at Marcus Wareing when the Michelin-starred chef gave him a score of two out of ten for his dish on the show.
Mountain’s comments about vegans have led to a flood of comments from customers on social media, some positive and some negative. One review scolded the chef and restaurant for its stance, saying: ‘You can’t call yourself a chef if you can’t even cook veggies. Owner is very arrogant and can’t take criticism.’
While another praised him for his honesty, calling him an ‘Outstanding chef. Great rules and ethics’.
In other foodie news, apparently half of Brits are willing to more at restaurants that 'look good' on social media.