Made In Chelsea star Verity Bowditch and YouTuber Mikey Pearce co-founded the plant-based fast food joint Clean Kitchen in 2020. The restaurant recently made the controversial decision to add animal products to the menu, much to the dismay of some customers. One customer expressed anger after unknowingly consuming meat following the change to the menu. The restaurant was still being advertised as fully plant-based on the website and menu despite the addition of animal products. Verity, who is passionate about animal welfare, made the difficult decision to step down from her involvement in the business due to this change in menu. The announcement of the menu change and Verity stepping down was made in a video shared on social media by Verity and Mikey.
The decision to add animal products to the menu at Clean Kitchen led to backlash from customers who were disappointed and felt misled. Despite the change, the website continued to advertise the restaurant as 100% plant-based, causing confusion amongst customers. Clean Kitchen responded to these concerns by stating that they had removed the website and were working to update it. Customers expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of announcement before meat was added to the menu, causing some to accidentally consume non-vegan items. In the video shared by Mikey and Verity, they explained that the change in menu was made in order to move towards a more wholefood approach and cater to a wider range of customers. Verity, however, remained firm in her values and chose to step down as she could not be a part of something that was not fully plant-based.
The controversy surrounding Clean Kitchen’s menu change sparked a debate among customers and fans of the restaurant. Some praised Verity for staying true to her values and stepping down from the business, while others were disappointed in the decision to add animal products. The restaurant faced criticism for using misleading advertising, with customers pointing out that the website still featured claims of being 100% plant-based even after the menu changes. Clean Kitchen acknowledged their mistake and apologized for the confusion caused by the inconsistency in their messaging. While the restaurant aimed to provide a more inclusive menu, the backlash from customers highlighted the importance of transparency and clear communication when making significant changes to a business.
The incident at Clean Kitchen serves as a reminder of the challenges that restaurants and businesses may face when changing their menu or business practices. In a highly competitive industry like the food service sector, maintaining customer loyalty and trust is crucial. The backlash from customers following the menu change emphasizes the importance of clear communication and transparency in business operations. Verity’s decision to step down from Clean Kitchen showcases her commitment to her values and ethics, even in the face of controversy. Moving forward, the restaurant will need to focus on rebuilding customer trust and ensuring that their messaging aligns with their business practices to avoid similar issues in the future.
Overall, the controversy surrounding Clean Kitchen’s menu change highlights the complexities of running a business, especially in the food industry. The incident serves as a cautionary tale for businesses looking to make significant changes, emphasizing the importance of clear communication and transparency with customers. Verity’s decision to step down from the restaurant showcases her dedication to her values and credibility, setting an example for businesses to prioritize ethics and integrity in their operations. As Clean Kitchen moves forward from this incident, they will need to focus on rebuilding customer trust and ensuring consistency in their messaging to avoid further backlash.
