Restaurant group offers rainbow cake for Pride month, sparks controversy online

SEEKONK, Mass. (WLNE) — A group of restaurants is offering a rainbow cake for Pride month, but it’s sparking some controversy online.

The Old Grist Mill Tavern in Seekonk, along with the Tipsy Toboggan and the Canned Heat Craft Beer Co. in Fall River are all offering colorful cakes for Pride month.

“Vanilla cream frosting, really good pearl candies on the outside, vanilla layers,” owner Karl Pelletier said. “It’s delicious.”

“We have over 128 employees throughout our locations and our staff comes from tons of different walks of life, and so do our guests,” Pelletier continued. “We serve a lot of guests every week, and the cake is to celebrate everyone. To me, it’s just cake, nothing to worry about.”

Although the feedback is mostly positive, some people on social media have taken an issue with the cake.

The comment section has blown up on The Old Grist Mill Tavern’s Facebook page.

“On social media, we tend to get a little bit of apprehension, and in our Grist Mill location, our social media page there gets a lot of hatred,” Pelletier added. “A lot of grievances about having the cake.”

Only four days into June, they’ve sold 160 slices. Their goal is to sell at least 1,000 cakes this month.

“I think this is a great idea, this should’ve been done a long time ago,” customer Saundra Silvia said. “Everybody needs to be accepted. We’re all god’s creatures.”

Silvia said she does not see anything wrong with the restaurants offering the cake.

“Well then find someplace else to go, because you know what,” Silvia said. “Life goes on this is what’s happening, this is the world today so learn how to accept it.”

Executive Chef Fehmi Khalifa said it is unfortunate some people are upset by a cake that is simply meant to put a smile on peoples faces.

“It brings tears to my eyes for people to be so hard on other people’s lifestyles, if I may say so,” Khalifa said. “We just serve food and drinks, and we try to help people in being happy.”