Tash Peterson slams Perth Fyre chef John Mountain for banning vegans
Animal rights activist Tash Peterson has sued a celebrity chef for banning vegans from his posh restaurant.
British restaurateur John Mountain caused a stir among non-meat eaters when he posted a message on Facebook that read: ‘Unfortunately, all vegans have now been banned from Fyre for mental health reasons. We thank you for your understanding. xx’
The move was prompted after a customer at Fyre in the northern Perth suburb of Connolly criticized his $32 vegetable gnocchi.
“One incident where this chef is clearly upset by a valid complaint, and then discriminating against an entire group of people, I don’t see as anything other than banning Muslims or women, it’s a blatant form of discrimination,” said Ms. Peterson. 7News.
$32 for a bowl of veggies really isn’t good enough in 2023, when veganism is on the rise and places really need to cater to everyone.
“I think he was triggered by veganism and I think it’s a defense mechanism against his own guilt.”
Animal rights activist Tash Peterson (pictured) has sued a celebrity chef for banning vegans from his posh restaurant, calling the move “no different than banning Muslims or women”
UK-born restaurateur John Mountain caused a stir among non-meat eaters when he posted this post on Facebook
The chef has a history of lashing out at customers who leave bad reviews.
A restaurant that gave Fyre a one-star rating in an online review that has now been deleted received a vehement response.
‘If only we could rate our customers. Unfortunately you couldn’t be satisfied,” said the owner.
“And next time never threaten my staff with your childish insults, you are certainly not welcome to return.”
Mr. Mountain also snapped back at another commenter who criticized the eatery for the lack of steak knives in the venue and for the waiter clearing their “empty plates” too early.
‘Thank you for your kind words. We recently bought steak knives for those who need to cut through our aged Black Angus fillet,” said Mr. Mountain.
“And as for cleaning up the empty plates, that’s just a shame.”
And a third customer who left a one-star review with no comment was not spared the chef’s disgust.
“Thank you so much for your one star review without any explanation, maybe it was the fact that I didn’t respond to your BYO at 5:45pm on a Saturday night, who knows,” said the TV star.
“But you, my dear, won first prize this month for the most useless review. Be careful and don’t forget to say hello next time you come over for dinner, XXX.’
British celebrity chef John Mountain has sparked an online war after banning vegans from his Perth restaurant
Earlier on Tuesday, Mr. Mountain explained why non-meat eaters are no longer welcome in his restaurant.
“A young girl contacted me and said she would come to the restaurant…and asked if there were any vegan options,” he said.
“It was my only shortfall… I said I’d house her, I said we had gnocchi, vegetables… and that was that.”
On the Saturday in question, Mr. Mountain said he had forgotten about the women’s request because he had been catering for a private party.
His sous chef was not happy that night and scolded him for “not telling them about the vegan customer.”
The young woman filed a complaint on Sunday.
“My only option was the vegetable platter…it was okay but not that filling…and I was shocked to see it cost $32,” she wrote in her complaint via direct Facebook message, as reported by PerthNow.
Fyre is an upscale restaurant in the northern Perth suburb of Connolly
“I think it’s incredibly important these days that restaurants can accommodate everyone and not being able to have true 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 have survived.
“If you don’t keep up with the times, I don’t believe your restaurant will be.”
It appears that the restaurant took the woman’s complaint to heart.
“As for vegans/vegetarians who are a very small minority, especially in the northern suburbs,” I try to accommodate everyone,’ the reply began.
Thank you for your negative review…don’t hesitate to share your s**tty experience and I look forward to seeing you no more.
‘How very childish.
‘You and all your vegan buddies can all enjoy your dishes in a different location. You are now banished.’
As a celebrity chef in Britain, Mr Mountain shared a talent agent with TV chef superstar Jamie Oliver
Mr Mountain has lived in Australia for seven years after coming from Britain where he was a celebrity chef who shared an agent with kitchen superstar Jamie Oliver.
He has starred in cooking shows Great British Menu and Chef Race UK v US.
He has also worked with culinary pioneers Heston Blumenthal at the original famed Fat Duck restaurant in Berkshire, England, as well as brash Michelin three-star Marco Pierre White at London’s Mayfair.
Mr Mountain was contacted for comment by Daily Mail Australia.