A mother has claimed her family was 'catfished' by Harvester after being served 'snack-sized' chicken skewers that bore no resemblance to the menu photograph during a £200 birthday celebration. Louise Reecejones, 48, from the Wirral in Merseyside, says she felt 'ripped off' after paying £17.99 for what she described as a single, burnt skewer.
Birthday meal disappointment
Louise brought her family to the Harvester Derby Pool restaurant in Wallasey, Merseyside, on September 6 to mark her daughter Becca's 19th birthday. She and her son Harrison both ordered the chicken skewer dish, which was displayed on the menu showing what looked like two substantial skewers.
However, when her plate arrived, she claims it bore no resemblance to the meal promoted by Harvester, noting she received just one skewer rather than two. A photograph reveals her 'burnt' solitary chicken skewer resting on a plate accompanied by a pot of coleslaw, tomato ketchup and a cup of chips.
Customer reaction
Louise says she felt 'robbed' and alleges Harvester 'catfished' her as her dish appeared nothing like the food advertised by the establishment. She claims her son Harrison was equally 'fuming' at the skewer's dimensions and says she had to collect additional food for him during their journey home as he remained 'starving'.
Louise said: "We used to go quite a lot but we hadn't been for ages. After this, I wouldn't go again. It was £17.99 but when you look at the picture, it was very different to what you got. The actual skewer was really thick so you hardly got any chicken on it. My son and I ordered the same. I was quite shocked and I looked at my son, and I knew it wasn't enough for him."
Social media warning
Louise claims she paid over £200 at the Harvester for Becca's birthday and did consume her skewer but stated the chicken was 'hard' and 'chewy'. Following her Harvester experience, she has posted an image of her meal on social media to caution others about what happened.
Louise said: "I felt robbed. I wanted to warn other people. It was a lot of money and to pay £18 for a meal and this is what you got, is awful. You expect a lovely experience and food that's going to fill you up."
Harvester response
Harvester maintained that the menu image depicts a double skewer rather than a single one, and that the chain strives to address all customer complaints promptly. However, the menu itself lists 'skewers' in the plural as standard, with the option to add an extra only appearing when the item is added to the basket.
A spokesperson for Harvester said: "We take guest complaints very seriously and endeavour to resolve all our guest complaints directed to us within a reasonable time frame."
