Waiter, there's a ___ in my ___!

Probably trying to get them to come back again, C.

Yep, RR, that bit I understand. But surely in principle you wouldn't charge them for a truly bad meal regardless? I know it's a question of how significant the complaint was...

If I was on the premises I was in the kitchen and no one ever had an "atrocious" meal. If the meal passed through my hands I knew it was fine. The complaints were always minor and I offered this deal to even those about whom I had serious doubts.

And there were many nights where I oversaw, garnished and touched every plate when we served 500 meals.

Fair enough then.

Sounds like in that context, you were being generous..