Why this celebrity chef banned vegans from his restaurant: ‘They can f–k off’

A top chef has “banned” vegans from his restaurant amid an ugly dispute over a meal that’s spilt over to the internet.

Chef John Mountain took to social media on Tuesday to declare that people who don’t eat meat and other animal products won’t be catered to at his restaurant Fyre in Connolly in Perth’s north.

“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 ban was reportedly sparked over a fight with a customer over vegan options at the restaurant, with Mountain exasperated to the point of banning all plant-based diners.

“F–k vegans seriously … I’m done. At the end of the day, it’s not what I want to do, they can f–k off,” Mountain said.

The celebrated chef, who has worked with Marco Pierre White, said the argument started when a young woman reached out before visiting the restaurant to ask about vegan options.

“It was my only shortfall… I said I would accommodate her, I said we had gnocchi, vegetables… and that was that,” he told The West Australian.

However, Mountain said he had “sadly forgotten” the young woman’s request by the time her booking arrived, saying that he had a “private party” to cater for on that night.

The young woman then complained to the sous chef and to Mountain the next day about the lack of vegan options.

“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 in her complaint sent via a 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 taking his ban to the public.

“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.”

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.”

Since taking the fight public, Fyre has been flooded with one star reviews, which Mountain said “really hurts the business”.

Mountain has also received plenty of support from meat eaters, with many who have not visited the restaurant awarding it five stars.