A chef who banned a wealthy group of diners from his restaurant after they ‘disrespected, touched unwantedly and talked down to’ a 22-year-old waitress has revealed he’s given her the entire £1,000 they paid.
Lee Skeet, from Cardiff, who has worked for Gordon Ramsay, Marcus Wareing and Tom Aikens, took to Twitter yesterday to explain why he would no longer grant entry to the customers who paid ‘the biggest bill’ his restaurant, Cora, had ever seen.
He initially said he would be returning the unnamed party’s entire bill – minus £100 he believed they should’ve tipped his employee, Lily, and which he claimed he would 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 instead has kept the money the ‘inappropriate’ diners paid and transferred it to his staff member.
‘I would thank you to never come back to my restaurant. Lily means a lot more to me than money,’ he added in his first note on Twitter.
Lee shared his response to the customers online because ‘we should start calling out rich people who think they can 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 explain why he had banned the diners from his restaurant, Cora
He initially said he would be returning the unnamed party’s entire bill – minus £100 he believed they should’ve tipped his employee, Lily, and which he claimed he would be directly paying to her. Pictured, his restaurant
‘I would thank you to never come back to my restaurant. Lily means a lot 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 instead has kept the money the ‘inappropriate’ diners paid and transferred it to his staff member
He wrote online: ‘Dear… I wanted to firstly thank you for choosing my restaurant for your meal tonight, and I understand you had the biggest bill we’ve ever had on one table here.
‘Unfortunately throughout the evening I was 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 down to, disrespected and touched unwantedly by members of your group.
‘I have spent the last hour having conversations with her that break my heart, make me feel like a s*** employer, and a terrible dad, having my own daughter.
‘Please provide your bank details and I will refund your entire bill of £1,000 minus £100 that I believe you should have tipped Lily – which I will pay directly to her – as you left no tip.
‘I would thank you to never come back to my restaurant. Lily means a lot more to me than money. I also think you should assess the people you surround yourself with.’
Lee posted the note to Twitter alongside the caption: ‘I’m not clout chasing or looking for likes. I just think we should start calling out rich people who think they can treat people like c***.
Following feedback from his followers, who suggested Lily should receive the £1,000, Lee took to Twitter today to explain that he had transferred the money to his staff member.
Posting a screenshot of the transaction, he wrote: ‘On reflection I reacted too quickly and emotionally last night. Sorry I was a little bit angry and protective. I’m not going to refund the customer’s money. I’ve instead kept it and transferred to Lily x’
Twitter users were quick to praise the chef, with one writing: ‘Even better, mate, well done.’
Following feedback from his followers, who suggested Lily should receive the £1,000, Lee (pictured) took to Twitter today to explain that he had transferred the money to his staff member
Situated at 83 Pontcanna Street, on the first floor above Cafe Milkwood, Cora is the first restaurant from Lee (pictured)
Twitter users were quick to praise the chef, with one writing: ‘Even better, mate, well done.’
Another said: ‘Great call, Lee. I’m glad Lily is getting the money instead of those creeps.’
Following his first post about the diners, Twitter users were quick to applaud Lee for his actions – but some insisted he should keep their money and simply ban the customers from returning.
One person wrote: ‘Sounds like you and Lily have had a rough evening, Lee. Your response to the trouble makers is excellent. 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 should start calling out rich people who think they can treat people like c***’
Following his first post about the diners, Twitter users were quick to applaud Lee for his actions – but some insisted he should keep their money and simply ban the customers from returning
Another said: ‘So much admiration for you. This behaviour should never be tolerated. You are so right to call it out… but feel you should have kept their money!
A third added: ‘Horrendous, arrogant and entitled behaviour by people with money. Well done for calling it out.
‘But he paid for a quality dinning experience, he shouldn’t get his cash 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 way! 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 first floor above Cafe Milkwood, Cora is the first 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 also includes meats and wild game throughout the seasons.
‘The aim is to create a relaxed and ambitious restaurant where you can enjoy the best quality produce available in the capital, in a laid back and inviting atmosphere, all set to a hip hop soundtrack,’ reads a description on the eatery’s website.
Situated at 83 Pontcanna Street, on the first floor above Cafe Milkwood, Cora is the first restaurant from Lee Skeet. Pictured, 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, another of Lee’s dishes
