A chef who banned a wealthy group of diners from his restaurant after they ‘disrespected, touched unwantedly and talked all the way down to’ a 22-year-old waitress has revealed he’s given her the complete £1,000 they paid.
Lee Skeet, from Cardiff, who has worked for Gordon Ramsay, Marcus Wareing and Tom Aikens, took to Twitter yesterday to elucidate why he would not grant entry to the purchasers who paid ‘the largest bill’ his restaurant, Cora, had ever seen.
He initially said he can be returning the unnamed party’s entire bill – minus £100 he believed they need to’ve tipped his worker, Lily, and which he claimed he can be directly paying to her.
But taking to his social media account today, the chef said he had reacted ‘too quickly and emotionally last night’ – and as an alternative has kept the cash the ‘inappropriate’ diners paid and transferred it to his staff member.
‘I’d thanks to never come back to my restaurant. Lily means loads more to me than money,’ he added in his first note on Twitter.
Lee shared his response to the purchasers online because ‘we must always start calling out wealthy individuals who think they’ll treat people like c***’ – and was inundated with praise from social media users.
Lee Skeet (pictured), from Cardiff, who has worked for Gordon Ramsay, Marcus Wareing and Tom Aikens, took to Twitter yesterday to elucidate why he had banned the diners from his restaurant, Cora
He initially said he can be returning the unnamed party’s entire bill – minus £100 he believed they need to’ve tipped his worker, Lily, and which he claimed he can be directly paying to her. Pictured, his restaurant
‘I’d thanks to never come back to my restaurant. Lily means loads more to me than money,’ he added in his first letter (above)
Taking to his social media account today (above), the chef said he had reacted ‘too quickly and emotionally last night’ – and as an alternative has kept the cash the ‘inappropriate’ diners paid and transferred it to his staff member
He wrote online: ‘Dear… I desired to firstly thanks for selecting my restaurant to your meal tonight, and I understand you had the largest bill we have ever had on one table here.
‘Unfortunately throughout the evening I used to be made aware that your party’s behaviour was inappropriate towards Lily, who runs front of house.
‘She has told me that – as a 22-year-old girl – she was talked all the way down to, disrespected and touched unwantedly by members of your group.
‘I actually have spent the last hour having conversations along with her that break my heart, make me feel like a s*** employer, and a terrible dad, having my very own daughter.
‘Please provide your bank details and I’ll refund your entire bill of £1,000 minus £100 that I think you need to have tipped Lily – which I pays on to her – as you left no tip.
‘I’d thanks to never come back to my restaurant. Lily means loads more to me than money. I also think you need to assess the people you surround yourself with.’
Lee posted the note to Twitter alongside the caption: ‘I’m not clout chasing or searching for likes. I just think we must always start calling out wealthy individuals who think they’ll treat people like c***.
Following feedback from his followers, who suggested Lily should receive the £1,000, Lee took to Twitter today to elucidate that he had transferred the cash to his staff member.
Posting a screenshot of the transaction, he wrote: ‘On reflection I reacted too quickly and emotionally last night. Sorry I used to be slightly bit offended and protective. I’m not going to refund the shopper’s money. I’ve as an alternative kept it and transferred to Lily x’
Twitter users were quick to praise the chef, with one writing: ‘Even higher, mate, well done.’
Following feedback from his followers, who suggested Lily should receive the £1,000, Lee (pictured) took to Twitter today to elucidate that he had transferred the cash to his staff member
Situated at 83 Pontcanna Street, on the primary floor above Cafe Milkwood, Cora is the primary restaurant from Lee (pictured)
Twitter users were quick to praise the chef, with one writing: ‘Even higher, mate, well done.’
One other said: ‘Great call, Lee. I’m glad Lily is getting the cash as an alternative of those creeps.’
Following his first post concerning the diners, Twitter users were quick to applaud Lee for his actions – but some insisted he should keep their money and easily ban the purchasers from returning.
One person wrote: ‘Seems like you and Lily have had a rough evening, Lee. Your response to the difficulty makers is superb. Putting morals above money is a brave and admirable thing to do.’
He said he was sharing his response to his social media account (pictured) because ‘we must always start calling out wealthy individuals who think they’ll treat people like c***’
Following his first post concerning the diners, Twitter users were quick to applaud Lee for his actions – but some insisted he should keep their money and easily ban the purchasers from returning
One other said: ‘A lot admiration for you. This behaviour should never be tolerated. You’re so right to call it out… but feel you need to have kept their money!
A 3rd added: ‘Horrendous, smug and entitled behaviour by individuals with money. Well done for calling it out.
‘But he paid for a top quality dinning experience, he shouldn’t get his money back. Give it to charity supporting those in food poverty. He doesn’t deserve it returned. Hope Lily is OK’
A fourth individual wrote: ‘I wish more bosses protected their staff this manner! Well done.’
Lee Skeet’s Cardiff restaurant Cora: Guests are treated to a six-course menu that heavily features seafood for £75 per person
Situated at 83 Pontcanna Street, on the primary floor above Cafe Milkwood, Cora is the primary restaurant from Lee Skeet.
It serves just twelve guests in its intimate dining room, supplying a set six course tasting menu for £75 per person or a lunch menu for £50 per person.
The menu is heavily rooted in seafood, but additionally includes meats and wild game throughout the seasons.
‘The aim is to create a relaxed and impressive restaurant where you may enjoy the most effective quality produce available within the capital, in a laid back and alluring atmosphere, all set to a hip hop soundtrack,’ reads an outline on the eatery’s website.
Situated at 83 Pontcanna Street, on the primary floor above Cafe Milkwood, Cora is the primary restaurant from Lee Skeet. Pictured, considered one of his dishes
It serves just twelve guests in its intimate dining room, supplying a set six course tasting menu for £75 per person or a lunch menu for £50 per person. Pictured, one other of Lee’s dishes
