The restaurant world braces for its Harvey Weinstein meltdown
NY Post by Kirsten Fleming – November 4, 2017
NEW YORK CITY A few weeks ago, a woman filed a shocking sexual-harassment suit against a celebrated and powerful New York City figure — and it wasn’t Harvey Weinstein.
Gabrielle Eubank claimed chef Todd English and members of his Plaza Hotel Food Hall staff sexually harassed her, alleging that English — who has long been dogged by his womanizing behavior out of the kitchen — gave her unwanted hugs and repeatedly kissed her on the cheek.
“Mr. English then began flagrantly propositioning Ms. Eubanks on the floor, saying she was ‘sexy’ and that he’s ‘surprised you’re still single,’” court papers say. He then tried to “kiss her on the lips, forcing her to turn away,” the papers say.
Oakland chef Charlie Hallowell steps away from restaurants as 17 women accuse him of sexual harassment
San Francisco Chronicle By Tara Duggan – December 27, 2017
OAKLAND Charlie Hallowell, the chef-owner of three popular and celebrated Oakland restaurants, is stepping away from day-to-day operations at his businesses in the face of numerous allegations of sexual harassment and verbal abuse of employees.
Hallowell’s restaurant group — which includes Pizzaiolo, Boot & Shoe Service and Penrose — has retained an outside human resources consultant to perform a full investigation into the company, Hallowell said in an email to The Chronicle Wednesday.
Hallowell’s action comes after 17 former employees accused him in interviews with The Chronicle of sexual harassment and pervasive verbal abuse. The workers, from all three of Hallowell’s restaurants, described a demoralizing work environment where his indecent propositions and abuse of his power were the norm, along with a near-constant stream of sexually explicit language.
James Beard Foundation’s 2016 Outstanding Restaurateur Ken Friedman is Accused of Sexual Harassment
Foodable by Kerri Adams – December 13, 2017
NYC’s The Spotted Pig’s Restaurateur Ken Friedman is accused of sexual harassment by at least 10 staff members. In response, Friedman apologized and will be taking an indefinite leave of absence from managing his restaurants.
Oh, how the mighty have fallen! With a heavy heart, we are reporting that multiple sexual harassment accusations have been made against another powerful restaurateur.
As reported by the “New York Times,” Ken Friedman, the operator behind the award winning NYC restaurant The Spotted Pig and winner of the 2016 James Beard Outstanding Restaurateur award, has been accused of sexually harassment from at least 10 members of his staff.