Former Great British Menu chef John Mountain has banned vegans from his restaurant after a bad review.
The chef owns the Fyre restaurant in Perth, western Australia, and after a run-in with a customer who left him negative feedback, John launched into a furious tirade against vegans, and has banned every single one from his upscale eatery.
It began when he posted a message on Facebook that read: “Sadly all vegans are now banned from Fyre for mental health reasons. We thank you for your understanding.”
He shared the same message on Instagram, writing: “Yep. I’m done. #vegan #not #pleasegoelsewhere #veganfreezone #nomorevegan.”
John, who hit the headlines in 2012 when he swore at Marcus Wareing after the Michelin-starred chef scored him two out of 10 for his fish dish on BBC Two’s Great British Menu, then revealed why he had taken such a strict stance.
In another post on Facebook, he revealed that a young girl had reached out to him and asked if there were vegan options, and he told her they had “gnocchi, vegetables… and that was that.”
However, after catering a private party, John said he forgot about the woman’s request, and then was scolded by his sous chef on his return to Fyre for “not telling them about the vegan customer.”
The following day, the customer left a bitter review and lodged a complaint, as she said she had been given the $32 vegetable dish which she didn’t think was worth the money.
“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,” she said in a direct message on Facebook to the restaurant.
“'If you don't get with the times, I don't hold out faith that your restaurant will be the one that does.”
Fuming, John retaliated with a reply, and told the “childish” customer she was banned.
“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,” he fired.
John shot to fame in 2012 when he was watched by two million viewers on Great British Menu saying “f**k it” as Marcus scored him two out of 10 for a fish dish.
He later said he contemplated suicide after confessing he had a “mental problem” and was deeply affected by the pressure of filming.
