Eats

Vegans banned from celebrity chef restaurant for ‘mental health reasons’

The Hoot The Hoot - 21st June 2023

The Great British Menu chef has told vegans they are not welcome anymore.

A famous chef has caused a stir online for deciding to ban vegans from his restaurant after a customer complained about their meat-free meal.

UK-born chef John Mountain - who has appeared on TV cooking shows like Great British Menu and Chef Race UK v US - has decided to take on the entire vegan community after receiving a relatively mild-mannered complaint, reports The Manc.

Taking to Facebook, the celebrity chef said that he had made the decision 'for mental health reasons', writing: "Sadly all vegans are now banned from Fyre for mental health reasons. We thank you for your understanding.”

He explained: “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.”

However, after offering to accommodate her it transpires he swiftly forgot about the customer's needs - blaming his forgetfulness on being distracted by catering for a private party.

He explained how this, in turn, led to his sous chef fuming at him for “not telling them about the vegan customer.”

Ultimately, because of this, the vegan customer was given just one option - a “vegetable dish” costing $32 which she later described in an online review as “okay but not that filling.” 

Her feedback continued: “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.”

In response, Mr Mountain went in all guns blazing - having taken some offense at her polite feedback.

'As for vegans/vegetarians being a very low minority, especially in the northern burbs' I try to accommodate everyone else,' he posted on the restaurant's page.

'Thanks for your negative review… please feel free to share your s**tty experience and I look forward to not seeing you again.

'How very childish.

'You and all your vegan mates can all go and enjoy your dishes in another venue. You are now banned.'

He then reiterated the ban with a further post on Google Review, which read: "But if you beautiful vegans want to join together and slag off my business then good luck, keep going, let's see what my customers think.

"And from now on ALL Vegans are now banned from my restaurant. Thankyou for your disgusting review and please enjoy the Currambine. Xx"

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Johnnie Mountain runs the Fyre restaurant in Perth, Connolly.

Featured image - Johnnie Mountain / Fyre Restaurant

Eats

Popular Leeds cafe known for its fluffy Japanese sandos is moving to a bigger space

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

One of the city's best independents is expanding into a bigger premises.

Shokupan on Wellington Street is a proper little gem that food-lovers across Leeds will rave nonstop about if given the opportunity.

Husband and wife team Alan and Alison took inspiration from trips around the world to bring a taste of Japan to the city and over the past few years it's gained a loyal following.

They're famed for their delicious Japanese sandos made with pillow-like fluffy shokupan bread, stuffed with everything from crunchy chicken katsu and flavourful pork to fresh strawberries and whipped cream.

But it's not all just about sandwiches, they also serve rice bowls and katsu curries as well as small bites such as chicken karaage and octopus balls.

Their food is so bloody good, that they've had to find a better location and this time it's slap bang in the city centre on Central Road.

And they're joining brilliant company too, with the likes of House of Koko and Vinyl Grounds as neighbours.

Announcing the very exciting news to Instagram, Shokupan said: "You guessed right…we are moving to Central Road, LS1 6DE. We are nearly there…

Images: The Hoot Leeds

"All the building work is complete and now we are finishing off the decorating. You might also start to see some signage appearing over the next few days…It has been lovely seeing some of our customers dropping by to see us whilst we slowly lose our sanity.

"Powered on caffeine and determination! Not long to go before we can announce our opening date and welcome you through the doors."

We can't wait to check out the new space, keep an eye on their opening date here.

Read more:

Featured image - The Hoot Leeds

Eats

Cult favourite burger chain Burgerism is officially coming to Leeds this August

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

An award-winning burger chain is coming to one of Leeds' suburbs.

If you don't know Burgerism, then get to know.

The Manchester-based burger chain is known by many for its incredible smash patties and quick, reliable service.

Their concept is simple: good burgers made with quality ingredients and cooked fresh to order. Delicious.

And it's not just burgers, they've also got some great wings and fries available too with a range of homemade sauces on offer for dunking, drizzling and devouring. We're a particular fan of the buffalo wings with their garlic ranch dip.

The chain used to have a dark kitchen on the outskirts of the city where people could order via Deliveroo, however this closed down and since then there's been a Burgerism-shaped hole left in our foodie scene.

Image: The Hoot Leeds

Burgerism recently applied to move into a vacant shop unit in Meanwood at 605 Meanwood Road, seeking change-of-use planning permission for the former Papa Johns site which was previously only allowed to serve...well, pizzas.

And the plans have now been approved, which means Burgerism will officially be coming to Leeds. Hurray!

Burgerism's new takeaway will be walking distance from the The Meanwood Tavern, perfect for those looking for some post-pint burgers.

It will be strictly takeaway with no dine-in option available.

The brand-new Burgerism will employ 15 people from the local area with food being served between 11am and 11pm.

We'll keep you up to date as and when we find out more, but for now we're aware that Burgerism Leeds is set to open this August.

Read more:

Featured image - Supplied (Burgerism)

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