Chef John Mountain has broken down after weeks of protesting from vegan demonstrators.
A group of vegans, including the notorious activist, Tash Peterson, have come after Mountain’s Perth restaurant Fyre after the chef banned vegans after a disgruntled customer complained about a plant-based meal.
“I lost my partner because of this; I lost a relationship,” he said on A Current Affair.
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“I thought I was going to marry this woman and she just couldn’t handle the amount of attention.
“Thanks, vegans.”
He added that the protests weren’t working as he’s even considering opening a steak restaurant just to ‘p*** them off’.
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His restaurant has so far been stormed by vegan activists twice, with protestors holding up signs about animal cruelty while diners eat.
Some protestors stood outside the establishment playing pig squealing noises while yelling into a megaphone.
The mountain was even captured grabbing the megaphone from one protester as the woman fought for control before security guards had to intervene.
While speaking with 9 News, Mountain acknowledged that while the vegans are fighting for a worthy cause, ‘he’s the wrong person to fight with’, adding, ‘it’s not working’.
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“Do I think I crossed a line? Absolutely, probably, yes,” he continued.
“But again, I will stand by my convictions – I’m protecting my premises, I’m protecting my business, and I’m protecting my staff and customers.”
One of the protestors, Ms Peterson, told the outlet: “We’re not going after this restaurant because they announced they’re banning vegans, yes that was maybe [what] instigated it, but at the end of the day it’s because this man is profiting [off] animal abuse and murder and also glamorising it,” she said.
Police said that they are currently investigating assault allegations.
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However, the chef added that he would fight any assault allegations.
“I don’t care if they want to try and charge me with assault, with pleasure, I’ll stand up in court seven days a week,” he told the outlet.
It comes after Mountain posted last month that all vegans would be banned from his restaurant.
The chef shared a post on Fyre’s Facebook page on June 20, writing: "Sadly all vegans are now banned from Fyre (for mental health reasons). We thank you for your understanding.”
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Topics: News, Australia, Vegan, Food And Drink