Rick Stein has defended his decision to raise the price of condiments at his fish restaurant in Cornwall to £2 a pot.
The celebrity chef, 76, recently announced that Stein’s Fish and Chips in Padstow would charge £1.75 for condiments if customers take them away – but add a 25p surcharge if they dine in.
The extra charge applies to customers who buy gravy, curry sauce and aioli.
Customers said they were “very disappointed” by the extra charge on the restaurant’s TripAdvisor website.
A spokesperson for Stein blamed the “skyrocketing costs” of food and energy for the hike in prices.
“Our homemade condiments using Rick Stein's special recipes are prepared in Padstow by our team of chefs.
“Food inflation, energy costs, along with rising wages, have driven up the cost of production significantly. We have reluctantly, along with many others, had to pass on some of the costs to our customers.”
A portion of haddock or cod and chips in the restaurant costs £16.95.
One customer on TripAdvisor wrote they that were “so disappointed” with the meal.
“When we paid the bill we discovered that the tiny pot of mushy peas was £2 extra, as was the tartar sauce as was the curry sauce. Unfortunately I don't think we will be returning.”
Another wrote in April: “On top of the £16 for cod and chips, you were expected to pay an additional £2 for condiments such as tartar sauce or mayo... We are regular visitors to Padstow and will not be eating here again.”
