Climate crisis activists occupied Gordon Ramsay’s three-star Michelin restaurant in London’s Chelsea on Saturday evening to protest the “perfect inequality” represented by these high-end eateries.
Members of Animal Rebellion entered the Gordon Ramsay restaurant in Royal Hospital Road, Chelsea at around 6pm.
They were seated at tables reserved for guests and provided with mock menus outlining the environmental costs of restaurant menu items such as steak and beef.
In a statement, the group said they are campaigning for a plant-based food system and the creation of a massive reforestation programme.
Lucia Alexander, a 39-year-old nursing assistant from the East of England who took part in the action, said: “This restaurant is the perfect example of the inequality we face in the UK right now.
“While Gordon Ramsay serves food costing as little as £155 per person, over 2 million people rely on food banks in this cost of living crisis.
Animal Rebellion activists enter Gordon Ramsay’s Chelsea restaurant. Photography: Plant-based future.
“Instead of restaurants making huge profits at the expense of animals, workers and our climate, we need to feed everyone by supporting farmers and fishing communities in a transition to a plant-based food system.
“A plant-based food system requires 75% less arable land to grow food, allowing us to feed millions of additional people without relying on exploitative industries and inefficient animal farms. This is the answer to the cost of life and climate crises”.
The group said 14 activists took part in the protest, adding: “At 8pm the restaurant closed for business and the protesters peacefully left through the front door.”
The Metropolitan Police said they were called to the restaurant shortly before 6.30pm “to reports of a group of protesters refusing to leave the premises”.
Archie Bland and Nimo Omer take you through the top stories and what they mean, free every weekday morning
Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain information about charities, online advertisements and content funded by third parties. For more information see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and Google’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
He added: “The restaurant was closed and the protesters left. There were no arrests.”
A spokesman for the Gordon Ramsay restaurant said reservations were canceled and service was so disrupted that the restaurant had to close.
The spokesman added: “Everyone is entitled to their opinions and beliefs. However, forcing your way into a restaurant, upsetting hard working staff and ruining the night of guests who have waited months for their reservations is incredibly inappropriate and deeply disrespectful.
Animal Rebellion describes itself as “a mass movement using nonviolent civil disobedience to demand a just and sustainable plant-based food system.”
This week one of its campaigners was arrested after approaching Sir David Attenborough in a Michelin-starred restaurant on the south coast.