Chef Gabe Erales was named Top Chef this week
Daniel Goldblatt | July 2, 2021 @ 5:03 PM
Bravo
“Top Chef” host Padma Lakshmi called for an investigation into Season 18 winner Gabe Erales after allegations of misconduct were resurfaced following his victory this week.
In December 2020, Eater Austen reported that Erales was let go as the executive chef of Comedor, a high-end Mexican restaurant. Citing an email from chef and partner Philip Speer, Erales was discharged because of “repeated violations of our policies and for behavior in conflict with our values.” No further details were given at the time.
But on Friday, the Austin American-Statesman reported that Erales was fired after cutting the hours of an employee with whom he had a sexual relationship and engaging in “inappropriate communication” with her after that relationship ended.