British YouTuber Issues Apology After Eating Chicken at ISKCON’s Govinda’s Restaurant in London
The well-known dining spot in London is affiliated with the International Society for Krishna Consciousness.
British-African content creator Cenzo recently sparked controversy after a clip of him consuming chicken inside a vegetarian restaurant went viral. The video attracted backlash, with many accusing him of offending the sentiments of a religious group. Now, the YouTuber has issued an apology, acknowledging his mistake.
The viral footage captured Cenzo entering a branch of Govinda’s Restaurant in London. The well-known establishment is operated by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), which adheres to specific religious and spiritual values. In the video, Cenzo is seen confirming at the counter whether the eatery was vegan. After being told that the outlet doesn’t serve meat or chicken, he pulled out a KFC meal box from his bag.
He proceeded to open the box and eat the chicken in front of the staff at the counter. He was also seen walking around the restaurant, offering chicken pieces to other patrons.
Cenzo, who has African roots, was soon instructed by the restaurant employees to vacate the premises. Despite being asked to leave, his behavior inside the vegetarian restaurant drew significant criticism online. While he later clarified that it was part of a prank targeting vegan restaurants, the act triggered strong disapproval on social media.
In a subsequent video posted on X (formerly Twitter), Cenzo stated, “If I had known that the restaurant was connected to a temple, I would not have recorded the prank or stayed.” He mentioned that he intends to visit the restaurant in person and express his regret. He further admitted that his prank was poorly timed and careless.
The backlash, he said, prompted him to learn more about the restaurant and its religious values. “They believe in non-violence and showing kindness to both animals and people. What I did was disrespectful to their beliefs, and I sincerely apologise from my heart,” he added.
He also became aware of the community’s strict food rules, which exclude meat, onions, and garlic. Cenzo acknowledged that he had crossed a boundary and caused hurt to the Hindu community through his actions.
