Customers reviewed Chefs fight back against diners' free meal scams

Restaurant owners are abandoning the age-old "customer is always right" maxim because too many diners try to get freebies through threats, making malicious complaints and using underhand tricks.

- Amelia Hill

Andrew Sheridan, cited as "one of the finest chefs North Wales has ever produced", said he was tired of customers "trying it on".

"It happens all the time. Last week, it was a woman complaining about a golden pillar that had apparently obstructed her view.

"She said she'd had a lovely meal, with great wine and friendly service, but the pillar - which stops a Grade 2 building falling down and which no one has complained about before - spoiled her evening to the extent that she wanted a free meal and vouchers," he said.

The request is on a par with another demand Sheridan received from customers who asked that he pay the fine they incurred by driving in a bus lane en route to his restaurant. "They said our website should have warned people not to drive in it."