"We do not cater to any dietary requirements and do not substitute ingredients in dishes." The rules are clear, but Gareth Ward's restaurant continues to stir controversy from dissatisfied customers. Latest news? A woman was insulted and kicked out for her criticism of the menu.
The News
Some say that the phrase "the customer is always right" was invented by a customer himself. The doubt remains, but one thing is certain: it does not fit Gareth Ward's philosophy. In fact, recently, the celebrated and irreverent chef of Ynyshir, which has been judged the best restaurant in the United Kingdom with two Michelin stars, had a heated argument with two customers, moreover, who were accused of rudeness toward the staff. The incident occurred in late April, when Donna Southby and her husband Mark had dinner with friends at Ward's restaurant. Donna, in particular, did not seem to appreciate the £375 menu (a parade of thirty courses).
It must be said that the preconditions, prominently placed on the restaurant's website, are very clear: "Travel to the extreme coast of Wales. Take your time. Take a day or two. Arrive with an open mind, ready for an immersive dining experience in our home. Expect our DJ to curate the music and the cooking show to take center stage. Expect fire, intense flavors and the best meat and fish from around the world. Keep in mind that Ynyshir, perhaps, is not the best place for a business meeting or a first date." But, most importantly, it states clearly, "We do not meet any dietary requirements or substitute ingredients for any dish." Basically: clear agreements, long friendship!
Nevertheless, Mrs. Southby, according to the staff, began to criticize the tasting as soon as she saw the mise en place, calling the bone-finished tongs, to be used as cutlery, "crap", and complaining about the unisex bathroom. The highlight of the discussion, however, came when the restaurant was filled with birch smoke, part of the sensory experience. Donna's behavior greatly annoyed the chef, to the point of asking the customer not to re-enter the restaurant after going outside because she was annoyed by the smoke. "He said the way I expressed my complaints reminded him of his three-year-old's attitude. It was an interactive show and I actually did not interact. I apologized for calling the hand-forged tongs 'junk,' but the chef shouted that if my husband had any problems with him, he would be waiting for him in the parking lot in 10 minutes," says Southby, claiming she was verbally assaulted by Ward.
The restaurant refused to counter the guest's accusations, stating simply, "Gareth is not an aggressive person in any way; he is passionate about what we do. He is a gentle giant." Ynyshir staff also pointed out that they had received enthusiastic emails from other diners. Further mention of the unpleasant incident was made later through a note, which read, "At Ynyshir we are proud of our staff and do not tolerate inappropriate and offensive behavior and attitudes toward them by anyone. Ms. Donna Southby dined in our restaurant in April and from arrival and throughout the course of the dinner was unpleasant and rude to the chefs and waiting staff serving her. Upon her temporary exit from the dining room, she was asked not to return because of her behavior." Otherwise, NO COMMENT!
