Soho House, the private members’ club known for its celebrity clientele and high membership fees, is conducting an internal investigation after allegations emerged that out-of-date food was being relabeled and sold to customers at its Shoreditch location in east London. The claims were made by a former chef who shared his experience in a video posted on social media.
The former employee, who worked as a chef de partie in the club’s Pen Yen kitchen for four months, said he was pressured by management to change "use by" labels on food that had passed its safe consumption date. After raising concerns through internal channels and speaking to senior management, he said his complaints were acknowledged and the matter was to be addressed, but the practice allegedly continued. Following this, he reported the issue to Hackney Council’s environmental health department on September 17. Shortly thereafter, the chef stated he was dismissed, a decision Soho House says was unrelated to his complaint.
Soho House has issued a statement apologizing for what it described as an “isolated food labelling incident” and emphasized that it is not company policy to relabel food in this way. The organization said it has taken immediate steps, including launching a thorough investigation with involvement from its director of health and safety as well as an external independent consultant. It stressed its commitment to food hygiene and safety, noting that Shoreditch House recently achieved the highest possible food hygiene rating of 5 in inspections, including an unannounced audit conducted just weeks before the allegations surfaced.
Hackney Council confirmed it has received a complaint regarding food safety at Shoreditch House and is actively reviewing the matter. A local Labour councillor described the report as a serious issue and stated the council is treating it with urgency, though no further operational details have been disclosed.
The former chef’s account contributes to ongoing scrutiny of food safety practices within hospitality venues, particularly high-profile establishments like Soho House, which charges up to £4,500 annually for membership. Founded in 1995 by Nick Jones, Soho House now operates multiple locations in London and cities worldwide, including Paris, New York, Bangkok, and Tokyo. Its venues are frequented by numerous well-known figures, including Kate Moss, Ellie Goulding, and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who famously met at a Soho House club in London.
The club has faced financial challenges in recent years, reporting significant losses in 2023 despite growing membership numbers. Management has sought to revitalize its brand by opening new exclusive venues and introducing novel services.
As investigations continue, Soho House and local authorities aim to clarify the extent of the food labeling issues and ensure compliance with health and safety regulations. It remains illegal in the UK to sell food past its “use by” date, though selling items after a “best before” date is permitted if the quality remains acceptable, underscoring the importance of accurate food labeling in consumer protection.