A restaurant owner has spoken out against customers who asked not to be served by an autistic member of his waiting staff.
Mike Jennings, who runs the Grenache restaurant in Worsley, near Manchester, said he was 'astonished' when a table of customers shunned waiter Andy Foster, who suffers from autism.
Mr Foster, 45, only started working at Grenache three weeks ago and juggles his job with his role as a registered carer for his mother, who suffers from Alzheimer's disease.
Andy Foster, 45, (left) only started working at Grenache three weeks ago and juggles his job with his role as a registered carer for his mother, who suffers from Alzheimer's disease. He has been backed by owners Mike Jennings (right) and his partner Karen Deveney (centre)
Mike Jennings, who runs the Grenache restaurant in Worsley, near Manchester, said he was 'astonished' when a table of customers shunned waiter Andy Foster, who suffers from autism
'The customers seemed to have a problem with him, even though his service was good,' said chef and proprietor Mike.
'I explained that he suffered from autism and their response was that they didn't want to be served by him. They asked me why I would give him a job in a restaurant like ours. I couldn't believe it.'
Mike was so taken aback by the incident that he decided to write a post on the restaurant's Facebook account, asking anyone with a similar discriminatory attitude not to book a table.
The post has been well-received, gaining hundreds of 'likes' as the message of support for Andy has been spread across the internet.
Mr Jennings was so taken aback by the incident that he decided to write a post on the restaurant's Facebook account, asking anyone with a similar discriminatory attitude not to book a table
Mr Jennings (right) said: 'I explained that he (Andy, pictured left) suffered from autism and their response was that they didn't want to be served by him. They asked me why I would give him a job in a restaurant like ours. I couldn't believe it'
Mr Jennings and his partner Karen said they felt they 'had to make a stand' after witnessing the customer's behaviour towards Mr Foster.
The restaurant owner said: 'The incident really knocked his confidence and we had to take him to one side and let him know that we certainly didn't feel that way.
'All we care about is someone having enthusiasm and passion. The rest we can teach.'
Mr Foster was diagnosed with autism seven years ago and said it was not the first time he has suffered discrimination due to his condition.
'I always feel that it's automatically my fault and I go into defence mode. I always think I have to apologise,' he said as he recalled a past incident.
'When I apologised to the customer she made such a fuss. The other table I was serving left a big tip so I knew it wasn't me.
'I try not to take it personally because it has happened so many times in the past I have just got used to it.'
Andy said he was delighted when Mr Jennings and Ms Deveney were so supportive towards him.
'Mike and Kaz have been so supportive saying it's not my fault,' he said.
'The customers said they didn't know I was autistic but I shouldn't have to walk around with a t-shirt on explaining it. I should be treated fairly and exactly the same as everyone else in the restaurant.'
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