21 December 2023 , 20:25
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MasterChef star Simon Wood was left unimpressed when a customer made a 'special' request at his restaurant. The customer, celebrating their first anniversary, asked for a good table with a nice view and a free dessert to surprise their partner.
The email was sent to WOOD restaurant in Manchester, which Simon shared on X, formerly Twitter. The customer wrote: "Hello Daniel, that's awesome thank you. As it's the first anniversary from me and my husband, would it be possible to give us a good table with a nice view and maybe a complimentary dessert? As I want to surprise my partner. Thanks in advance for your answer."
While such offers are sometimes made for birthdays or engagements, the request didn't go down well with the restaurant, described online as a "chef-driven open kitchen with a la carte, theater and tasting menus, full bar and a chic, modern vibe". The owner slammed the customer online, sharing: "Unbelievable.... Free food for celebrations, that's why we're here after all...."
MasterChef star Simon Wood was left furious (AFP via Getty Images)People were split on his post. One person commented: "I really don't see the problem with this, so many restaurants and hotels do this for people for special occasions. You've outed a polite customer asking for a £10 dessert for what??"
Another wrote: "Still, how easy would it have been to say no instead of humiliating her on socials." However, some backed the owner, with someone saying: "I think it's the expectation of it, I think a lot of places would do it maybe if they weren't asked and it was a surprise maybe as good will, but goodwill ends when everyone starts expecting something for free really."
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Many thought shaming the customer online wasn't right. A comment read: "Publicly shaming a customer that asked for a complimentary dessert on their special day is so ghetto. She asked nicely and with courtesy."
Another suggested: "Could have used this to show empathy and score cheap points with it. It's just a f*****g Tiramisu ffs. Chef needs Cusomer service training."
Chef Simon Wood thanked his fans on social media and hinted at new sweet treats. He said: "Thanks for all the interaction folks. I'm moving on to sweeter things, enjoy this topic amongst yourselves. Happy Christmas and au revoir."
Talking to LADbible, Wood explained: "Hospitality isn't about giving profits away in the worst economic climate for decades. Hospitality means extending a welcome to travelers or offering a home away from home, within that we provide great service and ambience alongside well thought out seasonal dishes prepared with care and each one is made by the chefs meticulously from scratch."
He added: "We have around a 150-200 celebrations at WOOD a week, giving something to everyone shouldn't be expected, the entitlement surrounding this is obscene. Going to a nice restaurant and celebrating is the treat, the icing on the cake, the whole experience and team you have assisting you are building that memory with your loved ones."
"Any business can help you do that, but it costs money as you know, when you choose to go somewhere it costs money: restaurants, gigs, bars, theatres, shows, cinema are all hospitality and night time economy. Hospitality is an agile generous industry. It's not one that operates on large margins."
"And simply to ask for free things before you get somewhere is not acceptable. Why is this expected of restaurants, why not holidays, flights, cars, buying a new iPhone or a newspaper?"
"We provide on average 50-100 free meals each week at WOOD, around 4,000 a year for various food-related charities in the city, the people who come in and buy a dessert and keep the restaurant ticking over enable myself and the team at WOOD to be able to do that. But the negative take will always outweigh any positive."
* An AI tool was used to add an extra layer to the editing process for this story. You can report any errors to [email protected]