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Chef Clément Leroy responds to protesting vegans by showcasing the ‘high calibre’ duck available on his menu.
The Square is, in the words of Chef Leroy, ‘one of Mayfair’s institutional eateries’. Diners at the Michelin Star French restaurant expect to eat luxury produce, including foie gras. If you don’t know what this is (and if you’re squeamish, skip this next part) it’s when fowl are force-fed until their livers become extremely swollen. I don’t know who invented that or how and, frankly, I’m not risking wandering the internet’s strange pathways to research that one. It does, however, apparently make for good eating.
That’s what this flock of vegans found protest-worthy and they came out in force at Mayfair, London on March 23rd. The group who call themselves Direct Action Everywhere (DXE) marched into Leroy’s restaurant waving placards and shouting slogans. In response, Leroy produced two dead ducks with the feathers still on and waved them in the protesters’ faces. Working in catering really chips away at your aptitude for customer service.
Ruffling Some Feathers
Leroy states that the foie gras is ‘one of my signature dishes which our regular guests especially enjoy. We are a Michelin Star French restaurant and this delicacy is sought after in fine dining establishments.’ Therefore, considering the restaurant’s clientele is probably made up of people enjoying the product of the controversial practice, it’s unlikely the vegans made much of an impact.
The Square wasn’t the only restaurant they hassled that day. The protesters managed to visit So Japanese and Fortnum and Mason. It probably comes as no surprise that both restaurants serve foie gras. Say what you like about DXE, at least they’re thorough.
It’s pretty easy to find angry vegans, and a particular turkey farmer got more than his fair share. However it looks like he had the last laugh.
