Customers Outraged as Italian Restaurant Charges KSh 8,500 to Cut a Birthday Cake

An Italian restaurant has ignited a firestorm of controversy after charging diners a staggering £50 (KSh 8,500) to cut their birthday cake. The incident occurred in the southern region of Arezzo when a family visited the establishment to celebrate their mother’s special day.

Despite inquiring beforehand about the possibility of bringing a cake from a pastry shop, the family was met with a surprise when their bill arrived. In addition to the €659 meal cost, they were presented with a €58 charge for the simple act of cutting and serving the cake. This fee turned out to be more expensive than the cake itself, which cost €45.

The family’s daughter took to social media to express her outrage, sharing the story in an Arezzo Facebook group. She claimed that the restaurant justified the charge by stating it was a standard policy.

The restaurant’s owner defended the fee, explaining that they do not charge a cover charge and primarily serve their own dishes. He argued that the cake-cutting service required additional staff, including waiters and dishwashers, and that the fee was necessary to cover these costs.

However, the owner acknowledged that the situation could have been handled differently, suggesting that a discount or even a complimentary cake-cutting service might have been appropriate.

This incident is not the first time an Italian restaurant has faced criticism for exorbitant charges related to birthday cakes. Last year, a restaurant in Palermo charged a family €20 to cut their cake, sparking similar outrage.