Main content

Chefs call time on abusive practices

Is it time the old trope of the brilliant, angry chef gets retired for good?

Is it time the old trope of the brilliant, angry chef gets retired for good? Michelin-starred chefs are often famous for their skill, precision and passion. But many of them are just as well-known for their tyrannical and belligerent behaviour towards staff. With ever more allegations surfacing of abuse and harassment in Michelin-starred restaurants, leaders in the industry are calling for the culture to change once and for all. Eric Rivera, owner and head chef at Addo in Seattle tells the 大象传媒鈥檚 Tamasin Ford about the abuse he鈥檚 seen and experienced first-hand, and why he thinks it鈥檚 always white male chefs who get praised for this behaviour. Asma Khan, chef and owner of Darjeeling Express in London, says chefs should be stripped of their accolades if found to be abusive. Chef and TikTok star Poppy O鈥橳oole says she鈥檚 worried that without positive change, an industry ravaged by Covid-19 might never fully recover. And Viviana Varese, chef and owner of Viva in Milan, tells Tamasin how she built an inclusive and supportive environment for her staff, while still achieving Michelin-star excellence.

Producer: Frey Lindsay

(Photo: Chef holding a pan in flames. Credit: Getty Images)

Available now

18 minutes

Last on

Mon 19 Jul 2021 07:32GMT

Broadcast

  • Mon 19 Jul 2021 07:32GMT

Podcast