Tribunal ruling on soup row leaves hotel manager in the minestrone

A hotel duty manager who walked out of his job in Wales after an argument about soup has lost his case for constructive dismissal.

Phillip Williams left the Llechwen Hall, Abercynon, after a clash with chef-proprietor Louie Huber over whether the soup of the day was vegetable broth or minestrone after a misunderstanding about what was written on the blackboard.

Helen Huber, who manages the hotel, told the tribunal she tried to calm Williams down when he came to her after the argument with her husband. Williams alleged that she said, "If you walk away now don't bother coming back," while Mrs Huber insisted she said, "If you walk away this time, what will happen next time?"

Hotel staff described the atmosphere in the kitchen as heated when it was busy. Assistant manager Beverley Bowditch said: "There is a lot of joking that goes on in the kitchen and it can get very heated sometimes, but staff take it. Mr Williams took it personally that evening."

Tribunal chairman Clare Collier said: "The comments made in the kitchen were not a breach of contract, we believe Mr Williams resigned in the heat of the moment."