Soho House is accused of selling out-of-date food to customers as chef claims he was sacked for complaining about being told to switch ‘use by’ labels


A ‘sacked’ worker at a private members club in London says he was forced to sell out of date food to customers by changing the labels.

Kamran Khan, 30, says he was dismissed from his role as a chef at the trendy Soho House in Shoreditch, east London, after voicing his concerns.

In a video widely shared on TikTok and X, Mr Khan told viewers: ‘I was fired after I complained about people changing labels.’

Hackney Council has been alerted to the claims of mislabelling food and an investigation has been started with councillors also sharing his complaints.

Hackney Council and Soho House have both begun investigations into the claims. 

Soho House has a series of venues worldwide, including ones in the UK such as not only Shoreditch but also Greek Street in Soho, central London, and Manchester.

Patrons seen enjoying themselves at Soho House clubs have included the Duchess of Sussex and Wayne and Coleen Rooney.

Mr Khan says in his video: ‘Two days ago I was fired from Soho House, the one in Shoreditch.

Kamran Khan, 30, says he was dismissed from his role as a chef at the trendy Soho House in Shoreditch, east London, after highlighting food safety concerns

Kamran Khan, 30, says he was dismissed from his role as a chef at the trendy Soho House in Shoreditch, east London, after highlighting food safety concerns

He reported the venue in Shoreditch, east London, to Hackney Council

He reported the venue in Shoreditch, east London, to Hackney Council 

The luxury members club in Shoreditch boasts 26 bedrooms and a rooftop pool

The luxury members club in Shoreditch boasts 26 bedrooms and a rooftop pool

Staff are seen in a kitchen at Soho House's Shoreditch outlet (stock picture)

Staff are seen in a kitchen at Soho House’s Shoreditch outlet (stock picture)

An aerial view of the Shoreditch club in east London, one of 27 venues worldwide

An aerial view of the Shoreditch club in east London, one of 27 venues worldwide

‘I was fired after I complained about people changing labels and selling out of date food to customers.’

He accused staff of ‘pressuring me to change labels’ and said that senior management upheld his internal complaints, promising to take ‘appropriate action’.

Mr Khan says the practice continued, prompting him to report Soho House Shoreditch to Hackney Council’s environmental health department on September 17.

He told the Daily Mail: ‘I raised it informally at first almost with every single person that was senior to me.

‘Even after the complaint was upheld it carried on happening, it was happening every single day.’

In his written complaint to Hackney Council, shared with the Daily Mail, Mr Khan told of working as a ‘Chef de Partie’ in Soho House Shoreditch’s Pen Yen kitchen.

He says he worked there for four months before his departure earlier in September.

Mr Khan said: ‘Prepared food is being labelled with “use by” dates and when it is not sold by that date, staff are instructed to remove the old label and apply a new one.

Soho House was founded in 1995 by Nick Jones (pictured in December 2022) although he has since sold much of his stake in the company while retaining 10 per cent

Soho House was founded in 1995 by Nick Jones (pictured in December 2022) although he has since sold much of his stake in the company while retaining 10 per cent

‘This practice is ongoing and I have been personally pressured to carry it out.’

He described raising such concerns internally and having them ‘partially upheld’, but added: ‘Nothing has meaningfully changed.

‘I received only vague assurances that “appropriate action” was being taken, while the practices have continued. 

‘I have recorded the relabelling of out-of-date food covertly as evidence and it occurs constantly. I believe this poses a real risk to public health.’ 

Kam Adams, a Labour councillor in Hackney, told the Daily Mail: ‘I can confirm that I was made aware of the allegations regarding food safety and hygiene practices at Soho House Shoreditch.

‘I treated these concerns with urgency and escalated the matter directly to Hackney Council’s food safety and environmental health teams so that an investigation could be carried out.

‘As the investigation is handled by the council’s enforcement teams, I cannot comment further on ongoing operational details.’

The first Soho House club was opened in Greek Street, central London, in 1995, with the firm founded by Nick Jones.

It has since been estimated to have about 119,000 members across 27 venues in 10 different countries. 

Mr Jones, who is married to broadcaster Kirsty Young, stepped down as CEO in 2023 and has sold much of his stake in the firm though retains 10 per cent.

A Soho House spokesperson said they were aware of Mr Khan’s video and were ‘looking into the matter internally’ but did not have any further comment to share for now.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle had their first date at a Soho House in central London in July 2016, while before her wedding in 2018 the Duchess of Sussex was said to have enjoyed a stay at Soho Farmhouse in the Cotswolds.

Membership at the club costs about £1,500 for global access.



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