Channel 4 star blasts ‘con artist’ diners who left without paying £180 bill weeks after being forced to close restaurant
A POPULAR Channel 4 star has blasted a group of “con artist” diners who fled his restaurant without paying a hefty bill.
The cook, who stared in the documentary “The Rebel Chef: My Restaurant Revolution”, shamed the arrogant customers online just two weeks after announcing that he was being forced to close down his restaurant.
Acclaimed chef Gary Usher fumed at the disgraceful “dine and dash” behaviour that left him almost £200 out of pocket.
The alleged theft happened at this Wreckfish Bistro in Liverpool earlier this week, with staff sharing on social media that a group had lied their way out of a £180 bill.
They said the table ordered a buffet of expensive dishes before making an excuse about needing to go to a cash machine – but never coming back.
The chef shared details of the incident with his followers, likening the dodgy diners to “con artists”.
In a post on X, he described the drama as “sh**”, and said the group left his team feeling “stupid”.
The team at Wreckfish said on X: “Table in for lunch today. Ordered most expensive things off the menu and quite a lot of extras.
“Card doesn’t go through when paying so say they’re nipping the cash machine- never return.
“Leaving a £180 bill unpaid, in January, which is already a crap month for businesses.”
Other customers were aghast to hear the news, describing it as “vile” and “shocking”.
Others encouraged the restaurant to post pictures of the card the customers attempted to use or the CCTV, so the alleged bill-dodgers could be identified.
The Wreckfish team said they had reported the incident to police and did take precautions at the time to ensure the group would return with the money.
They explained: “FYI, we did ask them to leave their coat if they wouldn’t mind (to ensure their return) they promised they was just nipping out.
“Might not be a big deal to them, but that put a real downer on the team’s day and it’s utterly disgusting behaviour.”
Restaurant owner Gary picked up the case by re-posting it himself.
The incensed chef wrote: “This is sh**. It’s not sh** for the business it’s sh*** for the people who work in it that feel guilty because they feel they’ve made a mistake.
“They haven’t. This is what con artists do, they make people feel stupid.”
Customers were quick to share their own disgust at the appalling episode.
One wrote: “Oh that’s so sad!! I wish I had lots of money I would send you the £180 cos I love your restaurant.”
Another said: “OMG! Why do people feel that this is acceptable.”
A third commented: “Sorry to hear that, I love your restaurant. Food is delicious so I expect to pay for it! Hope you get a good outcome.”
Gary is behind the Elite Bistros group of restaurants which uses a crowdfunding model.
He launched his first restaurant, Sticky Walnut, in Chester back in 2011, followed by Burnt Truffle in Heswall in 2015.
Gary was sadly forced to close Burnt Truffle just two weeks ago.
Announcing the news on social media, he said it was a “sad day”, but that he had “never been able to make it work” at the Merseyside joint.
Meanwhile, Young’s pub customers face paying 20p more for a pint after the Government’s Autumn budget.
Simon Dodd, chief executive of Young’s, said the chain plans to hike its prices by between 2.5% and 3% because of increased costs.
Similarly, All Bar One owner Mitchells & Butlers (M&B) said last month that the price of its pints could rise by between 10p and 15p.
Some restaurants and pubs have also been forced to close their doors for the last time.
Higher food and energy bills mean that fewer people are spending on eating out.