Masterchef finalist Dean Banks hits out after 14 diners ‘no show’ at his Fife restaurant

Masterchef finalist Dean Banks has hit out after 14 diners “no showed” at his St Andrews restaurant on Saturday.

The Arbroath-born chef, who rose to fame as a finalist on ‘Masterchef: The Professionals’, was shocked after 14 people failed to show up for their reservations at his recently launched eatery, Haar.

Taking to Twitter to express his frustration, the chef said that this equated to 25% of his bookings for the evening.

14 no shows on a Saturday night! Thats mental… 25% of my bookings. I'm honestly so pissed off. We closed off our bookings as we were full. From now on at @HaarRestaurant even a booking for one person will require card details. ????

— ChefDeanBanks (@banks_chef) May 19, 2019

He has said that, in future, the restaurant will ask diners to provide credit or debit card details when making reservations.

Those who do not show up will be charged.

Dean, who delighted BBC audiences with his innovative cooking style, made it to the final three of the competition in 2018.

His inaugural restaurant, located in the town’s Kinnettles Hotel, opened in April.

For more on this story, read Tuesday’s Courier.