A Perth pub has thrown its support behind vegans, after a local chef sensationally banned plant-based eaters from his venue this week.
Fyre restaurant in Connolly, owned by UK celebrity chef John Mountain, announced the ban via social media on Sunday after Mountain said negative reviews from vegans were putting his business at stake.
Since news of the ban spread, Mountain said support for the restaurant had more than cancelled out the negativity.
“The minority wanted to ruin my business, but it completely backfired on them,” Mountain said.
“Little did the vegans know, they’ve actually brought a lot of business my way, so I thank them for that.”
But it seems the heat is still on, with a Perth pub weighing in on the debate.
Hyde Park Hotel took to social media on Thursday to throw its support behind the vegan community.
“Vegans are always welcome. We thank you for your understanding. Xx,” their statement read.
Many social media users thanked the pub, in Perth’s inner north, for its message of inclusivity.
“Thank you. The world needs more kindness, not hate. Will visit you soon, Hyde Park,” one person wrote.
“Thank you! This is lovely to see after all the hate the vegan community has received lately,” said another.
A spokesperson for ALH Group, which owns the venue, said they did not wish to weigh in further, but said the social media post “speaks for itself”.
Notorious Perth vegan Tash Peterson — who is known for her stunts, often nearly naked and frequently followed by court appearances, took the fight one step further.
“One incident where this chef is clearly upset by a valid complaint, and then to discriminate an entire group of people, I don’t see it as any different to banning Muslims or women, it’s a blatant form of discrimination,” the activist told 7NEWS.
“I think he’s triggered by veganism and I think it’s a defence mechanism against his own guilt.”
The spat started when a vegan customer called ahead requesting a meal that suited her dietary requirements, to which Mountain agreed.
Unfortunately, he was not working the evening the woman attended and had forgotten to tell his Sous-chef about the special order.
The woman was plated up a “$32 bowl of vegetables”, later taking to private messages to air her grievances with the restaurant owner.
“My only option was the vegetable dish… it was okay but not that filling… and I was shocked to see it was $32,” the complainant told the restaurant in her direct message.
“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.”
Mountain hit back at the woman directly before announcing the ban.
“Thanks for your negative review… please feel free to share your s**tty experience and I look forward to not seeing you again,” he said in the message.
“How very childish. You and all your vegan mates can all go and enjoy your dishes in another venue. You are now banned.”
The chef said part of her complaint was justified, but the woman took it too far.
“Look, I said I would accommodate her, and I didn’t … but she made the complaint personal.”
Another respected Perth chef has warned that vegan customers have the “potential to destroy a business” after suffering her own “devastating” online backlash in the past.
Elizabeth Peasley, head chef and owner of popular Two Dogs Laughing Cafe in Beaconsfield, said that while vegans were an important, growing customer base they “can be a passionate group with the potential to destroy a business”.
“When they get their friends to jump in and post negative reviews online and that hurts when you work 100-hour weeks as a chef and put your heart and soul into what you do,” she said.
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