A barista who served a Jewish family a coffee appears to have drawn the ‘Swastika’ accidentally, exclusive video obtained by Metro suggests.
Security footage shows the moment the trainee barista poured chocolate powder on top of the coffee for a customer at the Coffee Cup in Hampstead, north London.
He then spun the cup to try and make a pattern, but instead of an arty swirl, he accidentally created the Nazi symbol.
Speaking exclusively to Metro, the cafe’s manager said the barista told him the shape was a mistake, and he didn’t realise what it meant.
The barista has since lost his job over the incident – but the manager said the situation was under review.
He said: ‘The family came in, a couple and their two children. They are a Jewish family, absolutely lovely people.
‘They ordered and seemed to be having a nice time, laughing and joking. But the father told me his wife’s coffee had something like a Swastika in the foam. He said he wasn’t angry but he was just bringing it to my attention.
‘I was so shocked and upset I told the barista to go home. The barista said he did not do it on purpose and it was just chance that the pattern had formed in the foam.
‘However, with everything that is going on on the world we have to protect our customers.’
The manager said the barista was known to draw intricate patterns in his coffees and for working at speed.
Video footage from the camera in the cafe, which opened in 1954, suggests that the symbol was not drawn on purpose.
The 45-year old man, who made the complaint, told the Jewish News: ‘My wife ordered a cappuccino, and when it landed, I saw that and said, ‘Surely that is a swastika?’
Latest London news
- Man, 23, stabbed to death on New Year’s Eve in London
- I cleared my £30,000 debt by living in a London hostel for a year
- This controversial toilet in London was just crowned loo of the year
To get the latest news from the capital visit Metro's London news hub.
The father-of-two said he then told manager: “‘Listen, we’re Jewish, maybe visibly, so to me, that looks like a very obvious symbol, and we’re not okay with it.’” Fair to him, he was mortified.’
The complainant said he did not believe the cafe was in any way Antisemitic and he would come back.
The manager added: ‘The man [who complained] was very reasonable. He talked about how the symbol was offensive and everyone needed to be aware. When I confronted the barista and told him to go home he was very upset. He still claims he has done nothing wrong and was not even aware of the symbol.
‘He is a very quick barista and drew many shapes in the coffees but never anything like this.’
The Community Safety Trust, which represents the Jewish community in security matters, welcomed the swift action by the cafe following the complaint.
It told Metro: ‘It is understandable why the family found it upsetting and we’re grateful to the manager for taking it so seriously.’
Last month, the swastika symbol was also reported as being used in jewellery being advertised online, triggering complaints.
One swastika necklace appeared in an independent online shop, which then was pushed into people’s social media feeds just days after the Jewish festival of Hanukkah.
The product was branded as an ‘Hiphop titanium steel pendant’ priced around $8.
It was described as a ‘simple swastika symbol … suitable for both boys and girls, trendy and niche.’
The hosting website removed the necklace as soon as it was made aware of it.
The organization Jewish on Campus condemned the listing.
It said: ‘When symbols tied to antisemitism and white supremacy are marketed on a major social platform, the Jewish community is impacted with shock and fear. Swastikas aren’t only a representation of a dark past. They continue to be used against us today. It’s frightening, and it’s unacceptable.’
A CST spokesperson: ‘It is shocking that a swastika necklace was ever available for purchase. We are grateful that they were removed.’
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at [email protected].
For more stories like this, check our news page.
