Pub's incredible response after charging customers extra for leaving food (original) (raw)

The Star Inn at Vogue, near Redruth, said it was the first time it had ever enforced the clearly stated policy as the landlord added the food left by two customers was 'excessive'

Mark Graham, landlord of The Star Inn at Vogue

A popular pub has defended its policy of charging customers extra for leaving an excessive amount of food on their plates at its Sunday carvery.

The landlord of The Star Inn at Vogue, near Redruth, Cornwall, spoke out after a customer was shocked to find an additional charge of £2.40 each on their bill, which originally cost £12 per person. The pub, which allows customers to eat as much as they want for £12 provided they clear their plate before going back for more, said the rule is clearly displayed at the carvery station. Despite this, the customers were unimpressed after being charged extra, claiming they had "never heard anything like that before". But the pub landlord, who received a lot of praise for the decision, responded brilliantly when criticised on social media.

The policy is clearly stated at the pub (

Image:

The Star Inn Vogue)

He argued the food left by the two customers could have fed two more people, if not more, and shared images showing the amount of food left behind. Mark Graham, the Cornishman who owns and runs the pub, told Cornwall Live: "I say my mind and that's how it is. That was the first time we've ever had to put the charge on and the first thing I did was send my staff back out to ask if everything was alright. [The customers] said the food was lovely and that was it." The straight-talking publican added: "I don't care about a couple of potatoes getting left. It's just stupid, excessive waste that bothers me. If everyone did that I'd have to cook shed loads of food."

He also pointed out the marginal extra charge was solely to offset the price of raw ingredients and would not include equipment costs or staff wages. "You can take as much as you like, come back as many times as you like and as the old Navy saying goes, you can fill your boots. Do whatever you want, just don't waste it," he added. Emphasising his position, he remarked he wasn't in the business to squeeze out extra profits. In fact, he's known for his generosity, such as allowing families with young children to share a meal on an extra plate, proving it's not about the cash.

How much the customers had left is shown in this picture (

Image:

The Star Inn Vogue)

He said: "I tell everyone, I'm in this game to earn a living, not make a fortune. I just like the job. I've always been in and out of this job since I was 14 and it's a way of life. I enjoy it. I'm making a living, not a killing and I'm not ripping people off. We want to help everybody out." Shocked pub staff captured images showing how two plates returned to the kitchen piled high with untouched meat slices, a duo of roasts, a hearty helping of veggies, and some tasty crackling. Operators Mark and Rachel advocate their policy at the carvery which invites diners to ask for seconds, making overfilled plates inexcusable.

The customer, Verity Farmer, took to the Newest Newquay Facebook group to share her baffling experience, writing: "Just been for a Sunday carvery at the Star Inn, Vogue, St Day, we paid for our meal at £12 each, and when we got our bill it had got an extra £4.80 added when questioned about it they said it was a charge for not eating all our meal. I've never heard anything like that before."

Within a day, her post had received almost 400 responses. The Star Inn itself offered an explanation saying: "We just try and make sure there is enough food for everyone. I'm sure if you were a customer later on in the day and I had to tell you I had no food left for your booking because it had all been wasted and gone in the bin you would not be very happy and would have made another social media post too."

The Star Inn in Vogue, Cornwall (

Image:

James Dadzitis / SWNS)

Opinions were split but largely favoured the restaurant's strategy to reduce waste. One user, Wendy Ann, commented: "Never heard of this policy before but what a great idea and clearly this is a ridiculous amount of food to waste and I think not charging for children is brilliant. Great response to the poster and shows how you were fully justified."

Gary Barnes voiced his approval, saying: "Great idea to stop people being too greedy... just as long as it's clearly advertised.." While Hazel Petrie added: "As my mum would have said they had eyes bigger than their belly. I hate to see good food wasted. The notice in the Star Inn is clear enough; I've seen it myself. It says you can go back for more so it's perfectly fair."

Jaz Holmes chimed in with praise for the pub saying: "Brilliant idea. We went to a carvery today and saw a woman pile on 10 roast potatoes. No exaggeration. I commented to my partner what an absolute waste that's going to be. If you're able to go up as many times as you like then there should be absolutely no waste. Take a small plate and go and get more if needed. Simples!"

Christopher Maguire joined the conversation, lamenting the excess: "That's an obscene amount of wastage that would feed me two days when I was broke." The discussion also touched upon the owner named Mark, famous for saying "the news keeps finding me" as he previously made headlines when he received legal threats from Conde Nasts Vogue magazine, warning his pub against using the name "Vogue". But the establishment has been around for over two centuries, predating the glitzy fashion publication, so the media titan ultimately caved after realising its error and offered an apology to the humble Cornish pub.