25 July 2023 , 14:25
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A teenager was repulsed to find a cockroach on his plate after finishing his chicken curry at an Indian restaurant.
Aidan Jefferson, 18, since complained to Ashford Indian Diner in Kent, which said customers made "fake complaints" about their meals. It has, since though, been served with an enforcement notice from the council.
Ashford Borough Council confirmed it is working with the restaurant to resolve "pest issues", following the find on Friday June 30 when Aidan was out with family celebrating his mother's birthday.
"When I found it, everyone thought it was a bean, or me just joking around. I said 'No, it's not a bean, it has got legs – I'm being serious'," Aidan said.
"The waitress came over and I told her what we found in the food. She went to speak to the owner who came over and tried to justify that it must have gone into the food after they cooked it, but that doesn't make it any better. It’s just not forgivable."
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Aidan photographed the curry-soaked critter he had been served (Aidan Jefferson / SWNS)The restaurant owner offered the party of six a discount, but after being put off their meals, the family did not want to pay, it is understood.
"We said we would pay for the drinks, not the food because it's not the quality you expect," said Aidan, from Ashford.
"Then the owner got involved and told us we were barred but we wouldn't want to go back there now anyway."
After the teen left a review on Google, the restaurant owner responded calling the claims “fake”.
Responding to the review, the restaurant owner said: “I have been running this restaurant for the last 13 years, I never had complaints about my food. I’ve always looked after my customers.
“Six customers came to eat food, when the food was finished, the customers refused to pay for food. Then I said to them the food is finished you have to pay.
The customer refuse to pay, then left without paying, the customer made fake complaints.” After reading the reply, Aidan added: “He is trying to say I'm lying but the photo is right there.
“We have never had any major issues with them before. We found the odd hair in a meal once, but they made the food again.
“That’s replaceable, this is just not forgivable.
"He is trying to say I'm lying, but the photo is right there. We have never had any major issues with them before. We found the odd hair in a meal once, but they made the food again.
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"That's replaceable, this is just not forgivable."
The teenager had eaten at Ashford Indian Diner before but now says he will never returnThe metadata for the picture shows it was taken at 8.37pm on Friday June 30 – the night of the meal. Aidan’s mum lodged a complaint with Ashford Borough Council following the incident.
A spokesman for the local authority confirmed the complaint was received on July 9 and officials have since attended to carry out an inspection.
The authority added: "The business has since been served with a notice in line with our enforcement policy and further visits have since taken place to ensure compliance.
"We continue to work with them to ensure all pest issues have been addressed.”
Mirror has approached Ashford Indian Diner for comment.