TV chef Tom Kerridge has blasted a “selfish” group of 27 customers who made a booking at his London restaurant this weekend, but ultimately failed to turn up.
Tom criticised the “disgraceful” no-showers for putting jobs at risk during the coronavirus pandemic, at a time when many businesses like his are having to adapt to changes.
In a post on Instagram, Tom addressed those who failed to cancel their tables at his Kerridge’s Bar At Grill at The Corinthia Hotel in London’s West End on Saturday night, calling them “the worst kind of guest”.
“This industry, like many others is on the verge of collapse,” he wrote.
“Your behaviour is disgraceful, shortsighted and down right unhelpful. All of you ‘no shows’ in all restaurants up and down the country are adding to the issues already being faced.”
The Michelin-starred chef continued: “YOU are putting peoples jobs more at risk. We put staff levels to the number of covers booked and when you fail to turn up, it now costs us, which in turn will force very uncomfortable and hard decisions about staffing levels.
“You are the worst kind of guest, and that is selfish’. I hope you have good look at yourselves.”
Tom, who is known as a chef on TV shows including How To Lose Weight For Good and Food & Drink, also shared a picture of Gerard Butler in the film 300 to further convey his anger.
Food critic Jay Rayner backed Tom’s words, calling it a “completely justifiable howl of rage”.
He tweeted: “If you book a restaurant, either go or cancel in good time. Don’t be a dick and just not show.”
Restaurants and bars in England were allowed to re-open with social distancing in place, as part of the government’s further easing of the lockdown on 4 July, after having to close their doors in mid-March.