A PUB owner says he feels "embarrassed" after a pregnant woman was refused the chicken pie on the menu following confusion around allergy advice. 

The Royal Standard in Forty Green, Beaconsfield, also England's oldest pub, received a complaint from a customer on Sunday, March 5, after she was refused the homemade chicken pie from the menu.

She was told by the waiter that she wasn't allowed the dish due to her being pregnant as it contains Monosodium glutamate (MSG).

The waiter spoke to the chef in the kitchen who relayed the information back to the customer that it is 'risky for pregnant people to consume MSG.'

The customer, who wishes to remain anonymous, said: "I thought this was quite bizarre given it is 'homemade' however, thanked him for the advice and stated I was happy with this choice (still).

"He continued to inform me that this "is a risk" and I "shouldn't be having it [the pie]" directing his eyes at my 8-month pregnant bump.

"A little embarrassed I then joked stating I was a "risky kind of person" and... "I'm still happy with my choice" he then told me I would not be served such a dish and I "MUST choose another option".

"After a few more attempts stating I was happy to accept the risk, it was clear I was being refused my original choice. I don't think it's the waiter or the kitchen staff's opinion to tell me what I can, or I cannot choose to eat."

The pub confirmed they received a complaint from the customer and have had conversations with both the wait staff and chefs involved as well as re-training all staff members on allergens and dietary restrictions.  

Owner Matthew O’Keeffe said: "The young chef told the waiter and the waiter thought it was gospel retelling this to the customer and he didn’t listen to the customer who was right.

"The waiter thought he was protecting the guest and at least she told him to bugger off as it was not his business. Good for her. Sometimes the lack of common sense by millennials is laughable but we are embarrassed by this." 

A statement from the pub added: "This very much isn't our normal procedure on allergens/dietary restrictions and since the complaint, we have had conversations with both the wait staff and chefs involved as well as re-training all staff members on this topic.

"Our procedure is to make guests aware of what is in the food but to allow all guests to make their own choices. However, we accept this doesn't change the experience this particular guest had on that night, so for this we apologise again.

"We haven't heard back from this guest since our reply to her email, and we would be happy to have further conversations with her to try and resolve the situation further."