Perth chef bans vegans
A Perth chef has banned vegans from his restaurant after hostile attacks on social media.
While admitting he made a mistake in his dealings with a vegan customer, the vitriol that followed has been out of control.
John Mountain has declared that he will not cater to those who don’t eat meat and other animal products at his restaurant Fyre.
“Sadly, all vegans are now banned from Fyre (for mental health reasons),” he shared on social media.
“We thank you for your understanding. Xx.”
The celebrated chef has worked with industry legends including Marco Pierre White and is well known and well regarded in Australia.
However, his tolerance level for vegans is now at zero after his recent altercation.
The argument began when one customer reached out asking about vegan options.
Mountain told her all they had was Gnocchi vegetables and could accommodate her with that.
The woman went to the restaurant on a night of a separate private function. Howard became caught up in the function and forgot the woman was attending. The woman then complained to the sous chef, before making a more general complaint via direct message.
“My only option was the vegetable dish… it was okay but not that filling… and I was shocked to see it was $32,” she wrote.
“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 responded in kind.
“Thanks for your negative review… please feel free to share your sh–ty 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.”
Fyre has been flooded with one-star reviews since the woman’s complaint which Mountain said “really hurts the business”.
However, he has also received plenty of support from meat eaters.
Jonathan Jackson, 22nd June 2023
