Gordon Ramsay hits out at Roux brothers for banning Instagram photos at The Waterside Inn
Michel and Albert Roux — masterminds behind the three-Michelin-starred The Waterside Inn in Bray — sparked outrage this week after banning his guests from taking photos of their meals.
Now, motormouth chef Gordon Ramsay has weighed into the row, taking to Twitter to slate the Rouxs as “stupid”, “pompous”, and “an old fart” for implementing a no-picture policy.
“How bloody pompous! It’s a compliment to the chef the fact that customers want to take a pictures of dishes they’ve paid for,” he wrote days after the ban was implemented.
How bloody pompous! It’s a compliment to the chef the fact that customers want to take a pictures of dishes they’ve paid for it’s 2017 https://t.co/lhkDq23wCR
— Gordon Ramsay (@GordonRamsay) November 3, 2017
“He’s just an old fart who’s forgotten to move on!”
Ramsay received a lot of support for his comments, and continued to slam chef Roux, arguing that restauranteurs should welcome social media into the dining room, not exclude it.
“If I see a great looking picture posted, I’ll want to go and eat there immediately.”
“Customers vote with their feet, pictures create huge followers and excite potential business.”
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The Waterside Inn is the only restaurant outside of France to have held on to its three-star rating for more than 25 years.
How stupid, somebody’s forgotten customers are king…… https://t.co/ytE6HxZ28M
— Gordon Ramsay (@GordonRamsay) November 3, 2017
The Roux brothers drew criticism on Wednesday after erecting a sign The Waterside Inn to politely inform guests that whipping out their phones for the sake of an Instagram post is no longer acceptable.
“I’m really getting so upset about people taking pictures. We put up a card at the door – ‘No photos, please,’” Michel Roux told The Daily Mail.
“What are they doing? Maybe once during the meal you want to take a little photo of something because it’s unusual. But what about the flavours? A picture on a phone cannot possibly capture the flavours.”
Whilst not a fan of Ramsey, on this occasion I must support his views. We must remember that to eat at the Waterside Inn is very expensive, and many couples save up for months so as to appreciate the wonderful experience of dining in a Michelin 3* restaurant. To the forbid diners from taking a photo of the plate of food in front of them is beyond ‘precious’.
Ramsey is correct, photos end up on social media and become invaluable pr for the establishment.
It takes a lifetime to climb to the top, but to fall from grace can happen in a flash. Change your policy Michel Roux, after all you are supposed to be in the hospitality industry!
I have just had a fantastic experience at The Waterside Inn !!…….I took photos of my lunch, had Michel Roux Senior come to my table and wish me a happy birthday. There were people taking jackets off inside the restaurant and, in fact i do NOT agree with this but it happened, there was a young couple wwearing denims and sandals in the restaurant…..AND FURTHERMORE….The lunch menu was approx £65 each ……this is including service !!!…..Try going to a Ramsey place and see what you get for that !!……. or just along the road to The Fat Duck in Bray ……….3 Michelin stars for this restaurant…..but 5 golden stars for service, freindliness and fantastic food !!”